It is a difficult thing to have to help your teenager recover from a drug or alcohol addiction. But, with a little patience and a lot of love, you can stay positive and be a strengthening and supportive parent. Here are some actions you can take to stay positive and be a good influence on your recovering child.
Attend Family Counseling
Wherever your teenager is rehabilitating, stay close if you can and attend therapy sessions with your child and family therapist. Keep in close contact with your child and his or her therapist. Try to find out all you can about your
It's okay to show emotion in front of your teenager, and be honest about your feelings, but try to show your love and support as much as you can.
The goal is to let your child know that you have confidence in him or her and that you'll do whatever it takes to help him overcome the addiction.
Show Love and Enforce Results
Showing that you love a child enough to enforce strict rules about curfew and schoolwork can be difficult, but is necessary in order to help your child succeed.
When your teenager comes home to visit or comes home from rehab to stay, you need to clearly lay out house rules and enforce them. Your child needs boundaries and immediate consequences.
Your child may not like strict rules, but some day he or she will see how much you cared. Do everything you
Take Time Out for Yourself
Take time out to do the things that will renew your strength and hope and keep you happy. Here are some specific activities you can do to keep your spirits up:
- Write in a gratitude journal every day and focus on the positive aspects of your life.
- Take a relaxing bubble bath once in
awhile , using aromatherapy to boost your emotions. - Do fun activities with your spouse and children. Try to build special memories that you will all treasure.
- Be patient with yourself and your child undergoing treatment for drug or alcohol addiction.
- Know that there will be hard times and mistakes will be made by you both, but that you can get through it one day at a time.
Learn to be honest with yourself and others, and encourage your struggling teen to always be honest with you. One of the most important things you can do is to learn how to listen. Listen with an open mind and heart to yourself, your child, and your child's therapist and specialists. To find out more, contact a business like Olalla Recovery Centers.
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