Several teenagers have tried alcohol or other substances before they’ve graduated from high school. The issue with this one-time thing is that it often turns into issues that can lead to addiction as they continue in adolescence. If you’re a parent that has found out your child has been succumbing to addiction, it may be time to talk to them about drug rehabilitation. There are several drug rehabilitation programs that your child can enter to help them face their issues head-on.
Before this can happen, you must sit down with them and begin the conversation with your child about entering a drug rehabilitation center. Here are some ways that parents of addicted children need to remember when beginning such a challenging conversation.
Pick the Right Time
Addressing an addiction issue that your child has isn’t going to be easy. You’ll need to find the right time to sit down and talk to them about their addiction issues and the steps that need to be taken to help them.
Finding the right time to talk to your child means not speaking to them while you suspect they’re under the influence. Someone under the influence isn’t going to be receptive to hearing what you have to say.
It can also cause agitation, leading to them shutting down and finding a way to avoid the situation altogether.
Remain Calm
It’s a normal reaction to react with several emotions when you find out that your child has a problem and needs help. You might find yourself becoming frightening or even angry.
Before opening the conversation about treatment with your child, take the time to process your emotions. You’ll need to remain calm during the conversation and keep your feelings in check.
If you react or try to start a conversation while you’re emotional, it could cause you to say things that you don’t mean and can interfere with having the productive conversation you intend to have.
Let Them Know Their Are Options
As parents, you might feel that it’s your way or the highway. The thing about addiction is if people feel that they’re being forced to do something, the natural reaction is to do the opposite.
Instead of sitting down and telling your child that they don’t have a choice in the matter, let them know they do have options. Explain the options your child has and discuss in-depth each option that your child has.
When a person feels like their opinion matters, it will make them more open and receptive to receiving help.
Remain Positive
Scare tactics aren’t always going to work, especially if you’re discussing alcohol and substance abuse. School makes it a point to show children what can happen when they turn to a life of addiction, and that’s not 100% effective at keeping people from becoming addicts.
Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of addiction, talk about the positive aspects. Be open and understand what your child is going through and discuss the positive things that your child will gain from turning their lives around.
Don’t Talk at Them, Talk to Them
It’s easy to start a conversation and become consumed with what you want to say that the conversation becomes a lecture. The conversation you have with your child about rehab for teenagers needs to be a two-way conversation.
No one wants to feel like their being ridiculed or as if they’re in trouble for their addiction. Remember that to talk to your child during these conversations, don’t get carried away and talk at them.
If you talk to your child, they won’t hear the majority of what you’re saying, and they will resist getting the help they need.
Take a Break
Everything isn’t going to be resolved in one single conversation. You might find your child becoming agitated or find yourself getting worked up during various points in the conversation.
If this is happening to you, the best way to resolve the issue is to take a break. You might have to stop the conversation and resume it in a few days or a few hours.
Remember, you don’t want to do or say anything that is harmful and can’t be taken back once said.
Find a Mediator
If you find that you cannot have this crucial conversation with your child without letting your emotions take control, you might want to find an unbiased person to help. They could mediate the conversation and help to keep things on track before they become derailed.
The person you find to mediate the conversation shouldn’t be someone that is easily swayed. They should be there to achieve the ultimate goal: to help your child and get them the life they need and should have while their young.
A mediator could be a family member or a counselor that understands how to speak to a young adult suffering from addiction.
Drug Rehabilitation: Helping Your Child Get Their Life Back
Drug rehabilitation isn’t something that parents imagine themselves discussing with their children at such a young age. Remember before you have the conversation with your child about getting treatment to process the emotions that you’re having and let them know they have options.
If you’re looking for a place that will help your child turn their life around, contact Malibu Detox. We’ve got several locations and various types of therapy that your child will benefit from.
Don’t waste any more time get your child the help they need today.
