Getting Your Adult Child Into Rehab | Do’s And Don’ts

Watching a child struggle is one of the most difficult and emotional experiences any person can go through. When that struggle involves substance abuse and addiction, the pain, guilt, fear, shame, and anger a parent may feel can be overwhelming.

However, there is always hope. No matter what your child is experiencing or what your current relationship with them is like, there are steps you can take to deepen your love, trust, and honesty and to encourage them to begin the recovery process.

Here’s what you should and shouldn’t dot:

Don’t Panic, Don’t Despair

Addiction is a serious but treatable condition, and many of those who struggle with some form of substance abuse are able to achieve a long-lasting recovery, especially if they participate in effective substance abuse treatment.

While feeling strong negative emotions is natural, acting on those emotions can drive a wedge between you and the child who is causing you (and the rest of your loved ones) this pain and worry.

By staying calm and open you can become a rock and anchor for all your loved ones as you collectively navigate the difficult process of addiction recovery.

Do Learn More About Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)

Knowledge is power. By learning more about what addiction is, how it influences a person and their behavior, and how it is treated, you can contextualize your child’s experience and offer more effective help and support to them.

This process includes accepting that addiction isn’t a moral problem, a choice, or personal weakness. It’s a disease strongly linked to physical injuries, chronic pain, co-occurring mood and mental health disorders, and other genetic, cultural, and environmental factors.

Internalizing this knowledge can make it so much easier to understand your child’s experience and to offer them compassion without judgment or shame.

Don’t Enable Your Child’s Substance Abuse

While it is important to support someone who is struggling with addiction, you must avoid enabling their continued substance abuse. 

This includes ending any form of financial or physical support provided to your child that they would be fully capable of providing for themselves if not for their addiction, as well as ceasing to make excuses for their behavior or ignoring their alcohol or drug use altogether.

While establishing healthy boundaries with a child or another loved one who is struggling with addiction can be difficult and uncomfortable, it is important that you allow your child to experience and deal with the negative consequences of their condition on their own.

Do Help Your Child Find The Right Treatment

You cannot enroll an adult in a treatment program against their will. But you can help identify addiction treatment options for them to consider and offer to help in various ways, whether by going with them or helping with transportation or childcare.

Depending on your child’s situation and needs, some potential types of treatment for you to investigate include:

• medical detox programs for navigating the process of drug or alcohol withdrawal safely
• inpatient treatment programs for treating severe substance use disorders within an addiction treatment center, with or without dual diagnosis care for co-occurring mental health issues
• outpatient treatment options, potentially including regular outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), or partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
• medication-assisted treatment programs (MAT) utilizing FDA-approved prescription drugs to manage cravings or discourage relapse
• peer support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Don’t Blame Yourself

Addiction is a complex disease that can affect anyone, no matter how they were raised, and blaming yourself for your child’s circumstances is not constructive.

Ultimately, your child is responsible for their own choices and for their own recovery. And while you can’t change the past, you can absolutely be a positive, stable, and encouraging force for your child’s future.

Do Give Your Child Time And Space

While encouragement is important, badgering and browbeating your child may cause them to become emotional, angry, and defensive. They may even pull away from you and your relationship entirely.

Instead, be honest and direct when you do bring up your concerns and encourage your child to come with you to family therapy sessions and support groups for constructive conversations. 

Then be willing to give your child space to make their own decisions and to develop in their recovery on their own time.

Don’t Ignore Your Own Well-Being

Caring for a loved one with drug or alcohol addiction can be mentally and physically damaging. So, make sure that you take time for your own needs and those of your partner.

This self-care may include spending time with friends and family members, attending therapy, joining support groups for the family of those struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, eating and sleeping well, spending time in meditation or prayer, and spending time on hobbies you enjoy.

If your loved one is ready to get professional help for alcohol or drug addiction, Ark Behavioral Health’s treatment facilities are here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our leading, accredited drug and alcohol rehab programs.