Knowing that your teenager is struggling with an addiction problem can be quite a daunting and frightening prospect. Having it confirmed, while often upsetting, is the first stage in the process to recovery. When you have solid ground to work on, you can start to build trust with your teenager and work out how best to treat the issue. If you have recently had an inkling that your child is struggling with an addiction problem, or their school has suggested that this might be the case, here are some top tips.

Residential Treatment

Addiction can transform your child into a person that you seldom recognise, which can of course cause issues at home. Conflict, arguments and struggling to get them to abide by strict curfews can make you feel as if you are playing a never-ending game of cat and mouse. Visiting igniteteentreatment.com may be the ideal solution in this case, as residential problems allow trained therapists and specialists to resolve the addiction problem in an environment that is focused on recovery. Not only will they have therapists working on their depression and anxiety, but they will also have a range of facilities on site that will help to reignite their curiosity and enthusiasm for activity and creativity.

Don’t Accuse

It can be easy to get on the defensive if your teenager is behaving irrationally or acting in a way that you would consider to be inappropriate for someone of their age. However, it is important that you do not accuse them of failing, being a let-down, or that they are problematic in any way. The way that you talk to them is now more important than ever.

Consider Mental Health

You may have very well-meaning friends telling you that many people are just predisposed to addiction — citing it as a type of inevitability. While this may be true for some individuals, it over-simplifies a very complex issue. Your child may be struggling with mental health problems, and one of the best approaches you can take as a parent is to help them resolve these. It could be one very important piece in the puzzle that should not be ignored.

Be Prepared for Introspect

What you may not expect from your child is the accusation that you are a hypocrite. Their friends may have reminded them that even you may have used substances recreationally in your past, and so your confrontation may be met with half-baked reasoning that you are somehow also complicit. It is better not to get defensive, but instead to rationalise with them about how recreational drug use in early adulthood is not the same as teenage addiction (in their most important developmental years).

Dealing with a teenager with addiction will be incredibly upsetting at times, and you may frequently feel defeated. The best way to arm yourself with the best resources is to seek professional help immediately. Locking your child in the home at weekends may ultimately be counterproductive and not resolve the more complex issues that surround addiction.