A Self-Care Guide for Parents of Drug Addicts

Approximately 23 million Americans are living with at least one addiction, yet only half of them are receiving treatment.

For parents, one of the hardest things you’ll ever do is helping your child through an addiction. You need to be there for your child, but you also need to take care of yourself to stay sane.

Are you seeking help for parents of drug addicts? Keep reading below to learn about what you can do to navigate your child’s addiction and treatment.

Focus on Behaviors, Not the Person

The first thing you need to do is disconnect your child from the disease of addiction. When discussing the issue with your child, regardless of their age, focus on their behaviors.

it also helps to point out to the addict how their behavior is affecting you. This is a technique used in group therapy sessions involving addicts and their families.

Learn About Addiction

Drug or substance abuse addiction is complex. While the first time someone takes drugs or alcohol is their decision, their brain eventually becomes dependent on that substance.

After a certain point, they can’t survive without it. Their entire brain chemistry changes.

Learning about addiction also helps you understand how biology, environment, and development all factor into addiction. You can’t blame yourself.

Set Boundaries and Stop Enabling

If the day comes when you have to admit your child into an outpatient drug and alcohol rehab, you’ll have to be very careful about your next step.

Set boundaries with your child by letting them know what you expect and what consequences will follow if that doesn’t happen.

The biggest thing you can do is stop enabling them by lending them money, letting them stay at your house, or trying to solve their problems.

They need to choose to change. It doesn’t mean you don’t love them anymore.

Recommend that they go to rehab and let them make the final decision.

Find Help for Parents of Drug Addicts

Seek out help groups for parents of drug addicts. These are support groups where the parents of addicts can share their experiences and begin to heal.

Nar-Anon Family Groups are one example of support groups that help families. Their groups are based on a spiritual, 12-step plan to accept what’s happening and overcome feelings of sadness or desperation.

Not only is it comforting to hear others talk about their experiences with addiction, but on a practical level, you may learn effective ways to deal with someone struggling in your family.

The doctors treating your child will likely have recommendations on good family support groups to join in your community.

Want To Read More About Parenting?

We hope you’ve learned about how to get help for parents of drug addicts. It’s likely one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to deal with. And you have to take care of yourself along the way to be strong.

Looking for more information on parenting, finances, family time, or celebrating holidays? Keep reading the rest of our website to read more informative articles.