Addiction Recovery & Teens: 5 Ways Parents Can Play a Key Role

Over the decades, drug abuse has emerged as one of the biggest challenges for the world population. It affects people across all age groups, genders and ethnicities. But teen substance abuse is specifically damaging as it affects the future of the world. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 5.5% of the global population aged 15-64 years has used psychoactive drugs at some time.

The numbers are disconcerting because they may include millions of teens and adolescents. Knowing that your young child or teen is at risk can stress you out as a parent, but you must find ways to keep them safe in the first place. 

Youth surveys by the United Nations state that teens are at high risk of developing an addiction to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other recreational drugs. Addiction recovery is possible, but young people struggling with addiction require extensive support during the de-addiction journey. 

Here are a few ways you can play a key role as a parent:

Get Counseling Support

Kicking the habit of alcohol, street drugs, or prescription drugs is no mean feat. The challenge gets bigger for young patients because they often run short of patience, commitment and willpower. 

As a parent, the first step should be to get addiction counseling for your teen. You cannot get complacent about the situation, even if you feel you can handle it alone. Drug rehab is a long journey, and professional guidance can ease it for young patients.

The Canadian Centre for Addictions recommends personalized counseling solutions tailored to individual needs because young patients have unique challenges and expectations. Individual counseling is a viable approach for teens because group settings are less discreet. Moreover, it is a chance for the therapist and patient to connect closely and find solutions for quick and effective outcomes.

Your child may be hesitant about seeing treatment, but you must be firm about the decision. Have an open conversation about the benefits of counseling to get them on the same page. Accompany the kid for the sessions, but maintain a discreet distance when necessary. 

Be Vigilant 

Besides offering unconditional support to a child during addiction recovery, parents should be vigilant throughout the process. Relapse is common for rehab patients, so there's always a chance that your child may go back to square one after making progress. But timely action can prevent relapse and keep the patient on track.

Parental supervision is the key. You will probably know the triggers and red flags from the initial experience with your child's drug addiction. But the youngster often finds ways to hide the truth the second time. Be vigilant and follow their behavior closely. 

Some warning signs to consider include the following:

• Abrupt changes in behavior

• Less openness and honesty

• Resistance to therapy and counseling

• Declining school performance 

• Deteriorating relationships with family

• Abnormal health issues

• Changes in sleeping habits

If you suspect something amiss, raise the concern with your child's therapist because they are in the best place to re-strategize the recovery plan. Remember that it is much easier to handle a relapse if you catch it early. 

Create Consistent Guidelines 

Parental support and vigilance give you a good start with helping your teen deal with drug addiction. But you must also set clear and consistent guidelines to show them the way ahead. Setting guidelines is about ensuring that your child understands acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. For example, missing out on therapy sessions or driving under the influence is totally unacceptable.

The best way to develop guidelines is by collaborating with your child. If teens are a part of the process, they are more likely to comply with the rules. Besides setting realistic ones, enforce them consistently, no matter how much the child tries to convince you. Also, decide on a penalty every time they break the rules. 

Set Boundaries for Yourself

Creating guidelines for your child is only half the work when it comes to doing your bit for their recovery journey. You must also set boundaries for yourself to decide how far you will go for your child. Without boundaries, you may end up being manipulated by your child just because of your love for them. Think rationally and consider what you are willing to accept.

Are you ready to lie for your kid? How do you expect them to treat you? Are you willing to overlook a random incident of drug abuse during their rehab treatment? Answering these questions will help you take a clear stance and stick with it. Being harsh makes sense when it comes to bringing your teen on the right track, so don't hesitate while setting boundaries.

Strengthen the Relationship

Nothing matters more than a strong relationship with your child. It is even more crucial during challenging times like these. A positive relationship facilitates good communication and ensures that your teen keeps no secrets. It also helps you identify problems early and deal with them effectively. Good communication is about asking questions and being a good listener.

Besides communication, trust is also the cornerstone of a strong bond between parents and children. Reassure the child that you will always be there to support them, regardless of the situation. Be kind and focused, forgive their mistakes and plan a road to recovery together. At the same time, stay firm about your expectations regarding de-addiction. 

A Final Word

Parenting is a lot of hard work, specifically when your teen gets in trouble with substance abuse. The situation is traumatic for a parent, and you may even go into denial. You will likely feel depressed, angry and overwhelmed, but accepting reality is the first step to take as a parent.

From there, you can plan a strategy to help your child with addiction recovery. You can make a difference, so be ready to give your best with unconditional support. Also, maintain a firm stance throughout the process to get your child out of the fix.