It’s heartbreaking and frustrating at the same time to see your child succumb to alcohol addiction. This is especially true when they’re already adults, and you can no longer make treatment decisions for them. However, don’t give up. Here are some things you can do to help your child find their way back to sobriety.
Look for Signs of Alcohol Addiction
Don’t feel like a horrible parent if you suspect your child has an alcohol addiction for any reason. According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 29.5% of young adults reported binge drinking, and 50.2% of them reported drinking in the previous month.
It’s a good thing if your child’s alcoholism may not be showing any overt symptoms just yet because it indicates they aren’t too far along in the addiction. After all, an individual with alcohol use disorder (AUD) can only be diagnosed by a physician or a licensed addiction professional. However, the initial signs of alcohol addiction can be subtle but still visible.
Here are a few potential warning indicators to watch out for:
- Bloodshot eyes or off-putting breath odours
- Not attending to their hygiene or necessities
- Missing work or education
- Drinking for longer periods or more than they had planned
- Spend the majority of their time either consuming alcohol or recuperating from its effects
- Acting in a suspicious or secretive manner
- Claiming they want to drink less but cannot do so
- Having issues with their relationships, family, or jobs as a result of their drinking
- Ignoring their obligations, which include raising kids
- Abrupt personality changes or mood swings
The best action is to sit down and speak with them if your fears seem justified. Your son or daughter suffering from AUD may be less likely to experience severe mental and physical health issues if you support them in getting treatment. Additionally, it will help your adult child reclaim control of their lives and lessen the possibility of problems with family, employment, the law, and others.
Discuss the Problem With Them
It’s crucial to have a conversation with your child about their addiction. However, you might want to educate yourself on addiction and recovery before you approach them. Learn about the warning signs of addiction, the effects of alcoholism, and the course of treatment so that you are ready to respond to their inquiries.
It’s not always necessary to postpone communication until your child is ready to talk, as it might not happen at all. Still, remember that the best way to help your child begin the healing process is to show them that you care for and love them. Making a list of your worries can facilitate sorting through your feelings and thoughts. The list can also keep your discussion on course as you speak.
Ensure they are sober and schedule a suitable time to discuss your concerns. It is important to provide them with a peaceful, distraction-free environment to help them feel comfortable talking about their alcohol addiction. While the one-on-one conversation may work best, you should also take precautions to keep yourself safe because alcohol can cause unpredictable and potentially aggressive behaviour.
Additionally, there are some things you should try to steer clear of when discussing your adult child’s alcohol use with them. For example, refrain from using threats or ultimatums as they could make them defensive or aggressive. Avoid giving them lectures or criticism because it may make them less receptive to your words. Additionally, refrain from calling them names that stigmatise and may make them feel attacked, such as “alcoholic” or “addict.” Being confrontational in this situation may even work against you.
Feel free to seek professional assistance if you feel they are not interested in listening to you or are not confident in your ability to communicate. If your adult child receives advice from a third party, they may be more open to it. Your child can be examined by a specialist or other qualified healthcare provider to check for signs of addiction and to discuss treatment options.
While you cannot force your child to go to rehab against their will since they’re already adults, you can discuss the advantages of getting help and be there for them when they need it. It is best to talk to them openly without putting undue pressure on your child. Ideally, you would like him or her to decide for themselves to get help since they will feel more involved.
Don’t Be an Enabler
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto: https://www.pexels.com/photo/friends-drinking-beer-together-5055460/
Don’t give up easily if the conversation isn’t going as well as you had hoped. Even though it’s frustrating, keep going and continue to be there for them. But be careful not to mistake being a supportive parent for being an enabler.
For instance, don’t cover up for them, telling their employers that they’re sick even though they actually have a hangover. Let them feel the consequences of their actions, such as being suspended due to absences.
You can also deny them financial assistance, especially when you know it’s funding their alcohol addiction. You can say that you will help provide support for treatment but not for other expenses. This may be harder if the well-being of their children – and your grandchildren – is being put in danger. Reporting to the authorities might be the right solution if this has already escalated to that situation.
In addition, your adult child may attempt to shift blame to you, claiming you’re the reason for their predicament. Even if some research shows that genes are responsible for 50% of AUD risk, don’t let them get away with thinking that way. Many other factors help develop alcoholism, and most of them are personal choices.
Working With Treatment Centres
If your child finally agreed to get the help they need for their alcohol addiction, it’s time to begin rehabilitation. There are many different treatment options for alcohol problems, such as the following:
- Detox helps them in going through alcohol withdrawal safely and gets them ready for more therapy.
- Inpatient rehab entails living on-site and receiving care, support, and therapy around the clock.
- Outpatient rehab involves going on a prearranged schedule in the facility for treatment but staying in their own home as they normally do.
- Peer support is available to those who are quitting or reducing their alcohol consumption through mutual support groups such as 12-step programs. This adds an invaluable layer of support to the care provided by medical professionals.
- Behavioural therapies, commonly referred to as “alcohol counselling,” entail collaborating with a medical professional to recognise and help with altering the behaviours that contribute to alcohol-related issues. Some examples are brief interventions, motivational enhancement, contingency management strategies, acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions, and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Each patient should receive care that is specific to their needs. The best environment for your child may vary depending on several variables, including their level of alcohol consumption, general health, amount of support they receive at home, and insurance coverage. In any case, your child will receive various therapies, counselling, maybe medication, and other services to get them started on the road to recovery.
After your child has arranged for their admission to rehab, you can continue supporting them in various ways. For example, you can keep an optimistic mindset regarding their recovery. In addition, you can come to the treatment centre and take part in family therapy sessions or events to treat your child’s addiction.
Seek Professional Help for Your Adult Child’s Alcohol Addiction
Regardless of the severity of your child’s alcohol addiction, it’s never too late to get help. Consider HARP Private Rehab rehabilitation centre if you’re looking for a 5-star treatment facility where your child can get all the support they need. We offer a balanced approach to treatment, combining educational, clinical, and therapeutic therapies to help our patients undergo rehabilitation only once.
Schedule a call with a family support specialist.
