Drug addiction is a very common and serious matter, especially when it comes to our children. Handled incorrectly, it can spiral out of control very quickly and will most likely become a more serious and complicated matter. Can-Am Interventions would like to bring awareness to this dire matter and to offer some guidelines on how to manage it.
Here are some ways to help adult children with addiction issues:
1. Stop Enabling
One common mistake parents make is enabling their children. Enabling is when you try to fix a problem for someone but in a way that interferes with their ability to take responsibility. Parents enable children when they protect them from the consequences of their actions. Enabling parents of addicted children may have good intentions, but their actions only maintain the problem.
Examples of enabling behavior include:
- Keeping secrets about your child’s behavior from others
- Making excuses for your child’s behavior (with family members, friends, employers, teachers, and legal authorities)
- Bailing your addicted child out of trouble (paying their rent and debts, hiring lawyers, providing jobs)
- Giving money that is undeserved or unearned
- Blaming others for your addicted child’s behavior (such as employers, friends, partners, teachers, family, and even yourself)
- Avoiding your addicted adult child for peace of mind
- Making threats that are inconsistent or that you don’t follow through on
- Taking care of aspects of your child’s life that he or she should be expected to do
Parents of addicted adults can help their children by allowing them to take full responsibility for their actions. The consequences of addiction may be unpleasant, but experiencing them can give them the motivation they need.
2. Encourage Independence
To help them grow, encourage them to be independent:
- Set boundaries. Decide in advance what is and isn’t acceptable behavior and stick to them.
- Be firm. Make sure that your child understands the consequences of breaking the boundaries you’ve set.
- Show trust, but verify. Encourage independence by trusting them to make their own decisions
Independence is important for people to heal and feel valued.
3. Help Them Get the Right Treatment
Your child is likely self-medicating pain. Substance abuse is a way of dealing with the pain of:
- Isolation
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
It’s important for people to receive the proper treatment for these conditions. Talk to your child about treatment options. If they’re open to the idea, help them find a good therapist or counselor who specializes in addiction and mental health issues such as Can-Am.
4. Take Care of Yourself
All the stress and worry of caring for an addicted adult can take a toll. Make sure you take time to rest, relax, and recharge. Take breaks from thinking about your child’s addiction. Exercise and eat healthy meals to help maintain your emotional balance. If necessary, seek counseling or therapy yourself to manage the stress associated with addiction in your family. Remember, you can’t save your child from addiction, but you can be there for them and support them on their journey to recovery. By taking steps to help adult children with addiction issues, you can provide the guidance they need to take responsibility for their lives. Washburn House is here to help.
Help?
Drug addiction is a complicated matter. Our good intentions and own past experiences are helpful but not enough to face this problem alone. Having professional support is crucial, not only for the addict but also for the support network who is involved. Can-Am Interventions specializes in working with addicts and their families to provide treatment options and to facilitate all necessary accommodations to obtain a recovery plan. We are here to listen to your concerns, to educate on your specific needs and to provide guidance throughout the recovery process. If you or someone you care about is struggling with these types of problems, we invite you to reach out to us today. The first step is one call away. We look forward to helping you on your path of recovery.
E: patti.pike@canaminterventions.com W:www.canaminterventions.com
1-800-638-1812 Toll Free Internationally
415-827-3725 Cell /Text
415-578-2875 Office
