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Learning your teenager is struggling with
addiction can be one of the worst things to hear as a parent. With the rise of
opioid use and addiction, stories like this are unfortunately becoming more
common. It’s critical to understand what lies ahead for your teen, for you, and
for your family, in terms of recovery and rebuilding their life. Here’s a guide
on how to help your teen overcome this major hurdle.
Stay calm and in control
When you learn of your son or daughter’s
addiction, you will most likely feel a lot of different emotions, but the most
important thing to remember is to stay calm. If you let your emotions get the
best of you, you could take them out on your teenager, worsening the situation,
or lose your ability to think clearly
and focus on their needs and road to recovery. A calm mind is key so you can
take control of the situation, make decisions, seek help, and be their
rock.
Love them
unconditionally
As a parent who only wants what’s best for their
child, it can be difficult to see them make poor decisions and struggle with
the consequences, and it can be tough to show them love in times of distrust,
anger, or disappointment. However, it’s important that you do anyway,
regardless of how upset you may be with them.
Listen to them
and ask questions
The most important thing you can do for your
child (aside from supporting and loving them unconditionally) is to listen to
what they’re telling you. Make them feel as though they’re being heard, and
their concerns or feelings are valid and important. Ask open-ended questions to gauge how they feel, what they want, and what they’re thinking.
Get them
proper treatment
In order to help your teen get on the right path
to recovery, they will most likely require professional help and treatment. It’s
not a fault of yours to ask for professional help, it’s a strength. The
resources are available, and it’s in everyone’s best interest to use them as
much as you can.
Ignite Teen
Treatment is an example of a
treatment center for teenagers battling addiction. Your child will be monitored
and their needs will be met by a team of dedicated specialists. The road to
recovery will be mapped out, with the help and supervision they need every step
of the way.
Reaching out and speaking to a therapist,
psychiatrist, or addiction specialist after treatment can also be beneficial to
help your teenager unpack and process the hardship they just overcame, and to
help them stay focused on the recovery journey.
Help them
realize their self-worth
Everyone is worth more than their mistakes.
Suffering through addiction can easily be the lowest point of their lives, so
helping them build up their self-worth again is vital to showing them it’s okay
to fall as long as you pick yourself back up again and always work to be better
than yesterday.
Teach your teen about positive self-talk and help them practice self-care regularly. Tell them it’s perfectly fine to put their needs before others, especially when it comes to their mental and physical health and well-being. Praise their hard work and commitment to getting healthy, and motivate them to keep going. Positive reminders and reinforcement will no doubt resonate with them and help them stay on their path.
