Watching addiction destroy your child’s future is like watching a monster eat them from the inside out. It’s normal to feel helpless, but you are not powerless. Educating yourself on the disease of addiction and what local young adult detox center looks best is a start. Young adults who use drugs or alcohol require different types of treatment and medical care than older adults do.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida maintains a young adult detox that specifically caters to the unique needs of these individuals. Call us today at 866.294.5306 if your son or daughter has a substance use disorder and needs a detox program.
What Is a Parent’s Role in Young Adult Detox?
Parents may blame themselves, their spouse, the school system, or society for their child’s drug use. However, the fact is, blame won’t solve anything. A parent’s role is to help their child get into detox and recovery regardless of how or why the problem started. Legally, parents can put their children under 17 years of age into a detox or rehab center even if they don’t want to go.
You may feel it’s impossible to force someone else to stay in recovery, no matter their age. They might:
- Leave (if they’re not legally obligated to stay)
- Refuse to participate in treatments
- Immediately return to drug use as soon as rehab is over
While all of those what-ifs could turn out to be true, the first step in fighting addiction is detoxing.
What Parents Should Do to Support a Child in Detox Programs for Young Adults
When an individual enters a young adult detox center, their future immediately looks brighter. Getting through the detox and withdrawal process makes living life without drugs or alcohol seem possible. You can help your son or daughter get to a place of hope by following the suggestions below.
Focus on the Positive
This suggestion doesn’t mean to stick your head in the sand or pretend bad things aren’t happening. If your son or daughter is even considering detox programs for young adults, encourage them. Don’t argue about what should happen after detox. Instead, you can frame discussions about addiction treatment in a positive way. For example, “I think you would be very successful in a medically supervised detox program” is more empowering than comments about how they have failed at detox and treatment in the past. Be willing to take things one step at a time.
Stop Enabling Them
It’s only natural that you want to protect your child, but the wrong kind of protection can lead to codependency and enabling. Enabling means you are protecting them from the consequences of their actions. Young adults need to learn responsibility for their choices, even when those lessons are challenging. When you help an addict escape consequences, you make it easier for them to continue using.
Participate in the Process
Many rehab centers and detox programs for young adults encourage family participation. You may want to attend family therapy sessions, one-on-one therapy, or join other support groups that focus on helping family members deal with their own emotions and behaviors. This action shows your child you take addiction seriously and you’re willing to make changes in your life. As a result, they will feel that you support them and encourage them to do the same.
Manage the Details
Even if your child is old enough to live independently, having someone to negotiate the paperwork, insurance, and payment details of entering treatment is immensely helpful. Of course, costs related to the treatment of a minor child are the responsibility of the parent. However, that doesn’t mean you must pay for detox or treatment for a legal adult. However, researching drug rehab scholarships or overseeing other details are supportive gestures that don’t compromise your own well-being.
Seek Treatment for Your Child at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
A detox program is an effective tool in the fight against addiction, especially when it happens in a supportive therapeutic environment that specializes in caring for young adults. Learn more about helping your son or daughter recover from addiction by calling Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 today.
