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How to Support Your Child’s Sobriety Correctly

How to Support Your Child’s Sobriety Correctly
 

Being a parent is not an easy job. It comes with a plethora of responsibilities, and it can be hard to know if you are always doing the right thing.

If your child recently completed a medical detox and treatment program, there is a whole new area of uncharted territory that you now have to navigate.

Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Sobriety

At Banyan Heartland, we know that recovery is only beginning when treatment is complete. While this time may mean a lot of transitions for the recovering addict, it is also a time of change for their loved ones. As a parent, you want what is best for your child, but knowing what to do in this situation isn’t easy. Follow these tips to support your child’s sobriety so that you can both start to move forward.

Learn about Addiction

You may have watched your child fall to addiction and go through recovery, but there is still a lot you may not know about addiction. Unless you are in recovery yourself, it can be hard to understand exactly what your child is going through. Do your best to educate yourself on the topic and learn as much as you can. The more you know, the more likely you will be able to help your child with their recovery.

Don’t Pretend It Never Happened

You should be celebrating your child’s sobriety, not ignoring it. If you are in the company of others and lie about your child’s sobriety or do your best to avoid the subject, it may come off to your child that you are ashamed of them. Don’t try to brush it under the rug. Just be careful that you do not overshare what your child is not comfortable with. Instead, be sure to celebrate sobriety milestones with your child and commend them for their progress.

Forgive Them

Your child may have hurt you or done some bad things while they were under the influence, but if they have apologized and taken responsibility for their actions, it may be time to forgive them. Resentment will only keep you from moving forward with your own life. Once you forgive them, you can either start working on rebuilding your relationship with them or start working on moving forward alone.

Follow What Was Taught in Rehab

If you were involved with your loved one’s residential rehab, you were probably given some advice on how to go about life after treatment. You may also be aware of the techniques your child learned in rehab to cope with stress and other relapse triggers. You should not only follow the advice given to you but try to help your child continue to practice these techniques. These lessons were taught for a reason, and getting complacent or allowing your child to get complacent could lead to relapse.

Support Them in the Ways They Want

Supporting your child’s sobriety can come in several forms. Everyone is different and may want support in different ways. Ask your child what kind of support they are looking for from you. Some people may only want to come to you when they need help while others may desire more frequent check-ins.

Mimic Their Healthy Routine

One of the best ways to support your child’s sobriety is to make these healthy life changes with them. If you change your own eating habits, exercise routine, and sleep schedule, you will not only be setting a good example but also help keep them honest about their own routine. Creating a healthy routine is also good for your own health.

Get Help For Yourself

Helping your child in recovery can be emotionally and even physically draining. In order to continue to be a good source of support, you need to take care of yourself as well. Take a time out and do something relaxing when you start to feel overwhelmed. You can also join a support group to find people to lean on.

Remember that recovery is a process. There will be setbacks, and your child may even relapse. It is important to continue to be a source of support for them throughout the process and to not get angry with them when they stumble. If your child does start to fall back into their addiction, our IOP in Gilman may be able to help get them back on the right track.



Addiction recovery may be intimidating, but overcoming a substance abuse problem is possible. To get more details about our programs at Banyan Heartland, do not hesitate to reach out to us at 888-280-4763.


 
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.