Sending a child to rehab is an extremely difficult decision, but it can unfortunately become necessary in some cases. While a large part of what makes it so hard is the idea of separating from your child and admitting that they have a problem, the child themselves can make it difficult at times. A lack of perspective, peer pressure, and other traits of adolescents can all contribute to a resistant, oppositional attitude toward treatment. However, these are also the reasons why it’s even more important to make the right choice and get your child into rehab. At this stage in their life, the potential for drugs to hurt their prospects and their health is even greater than for an adult over the age of 25 who’s completed their brain development. If you find yourself needing to get your kid to rehab, here’s what you need to do.
Confirm Your Suspicions
There are many reasons that a parent might suspect their child has gotten involved in drug abuse, such as social withdrawal, changing social circles, reclusion, and moodiness. However, they can also be signs of mental illness such as depression or anxiety, which mean that it’s all the more necessary to tread lightly and be compassionate with your child even if they are making mistakes. Furthermore, many of these behaviors can also be a normal part of growing up, and not even be a sign of anything. Before making assumptions, study the individual symptoms of more common drugs such as marijuana or heroin. If you seriously suspect that your child is taking part in drug abuse, then it’s time to stage an intervention.
Staging an Intervention
It’s possible to simply force your child to go into rehab, but this is a mistake unless you’ve exhausted all other possibilities. If someone doesn’t choose rehab, they’ll be more resistant and less likely to receive treatment effectively, not to mention the resentment that it will bring. The best choice is is to research local rehab centers and prepare for an intervention. It’s advisable to choose your rehab facility first, and then begin the intervention so that you can immediately take them to begin receiving care once they’ve accepted they need help. It can be difficult to stage an intervention, so you should start out by reaching out to an intervention specialist. With their help, you can plan everything from the first step and work with confidence towards helping your child.
Bring Your Son or Daughter to Hickory Treatment Centers
If you’re not sure which rehab to work with, call Hickory. We’re experienced at helping adolescents and families overcome drug addiction, and offer outpatient care as well as inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment can be a starting point before beginning residential care, or it can be a type of aftercare to help your child stay on the right path. Either way, we’re here to help those who need us.
