What If My Child Refuses Addiction Treatment? A Guide for Parents Facing This Difficult Challenge
What If My Child Refuses Addiction Treatment? A Guide for Parents Facing This Difficult Challenge
You love your child and, as a parent, it pains you to see them in need. With that said, sometimes teens who are active in addiction refuse the help of their parents and do everything they can to avoid treatment.
If you are trying to get your child the help they need and you are running into obstacles, here is some helpful information to overcome those obstacles and help your child start their journey of recovery.
Understanding the “Why”
Before moving forward, it’s important to take a moment and consider why it is that your child is refusing treatment. This may be due to a number of reasons, including:
· Peer pressure
· Not wanting to leave their friends and take time off from their activities (be it school, sports, extracurriculars, etc.)
· Wanting autonomy and control
· Denial
· Fear of withdrawal
· Fear of judgment (if someone discovers they went to rehab)
· Mental health co-occurring disorders
Understanding the barriers that prevent your child from receiving necessary treatment is crucial for developing an effective plan of action.
The Less Helpful Approach
It’s understandable if you aren’t sure how to approach your child about getting the help they need. This can lead to parents making less-than-ideal choices that can actually push a child away from seeking recovery. Here are some things you should avoid doing when you are trying to help your child who is currently suffering from addiction:
· Insult or demean them
· Approach from a position of blame
· Enable their behavior
· Blame others
· Shame or guilt them
· Threaten them
A Better Alternative
Instead, you’ll want to consider these tips to help convince them to receive the treatment they need and deserve:
· Approach from a position of kindness and understanding
· Consider an approach that includes family therapy
· Seek professional intervention services (provided by Front Door Health)
While it’s important to be kind, you also need to be firm in your boundaries and not lose yourself in their addiction. You, as a parent, need to stay firm and loving. Don’t get lost in their pain and struggle. Support them from an empowered position and remember that your mental and emotional health is just as important.
How Front Door Health Approaches Treatment for Teens
We understand the challenges that come with getting your child the help they need where and when they need it. That’s why we offer in-home treatment to meet all of your child’s recovery needs.
Front Door Health provides concierge, judgment-free in-home treatment for patients when they need it. We take an evidence-based approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our treatment process is client-focused and individualized. This means no group sessions with strangers and no “treatment as usual” approach. Your child is unique, and the treatment plan we create for your child is designed to meet them where they are along their journey and help them to reach their recovery goals.
We understand that it can be difficult for your child to put their life on hold. Our in-home treatment allows your child to continue to meet their school, family, and other obligations while receiving the treatment they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide your child with the help they need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
