Alcohol is the leading cause of substance abuse among young people in the United States, and drug use is at epidemic levels in some areas of the country. Addiction affects everybody, and related consequences, such as reckless driving and violence, put everyone around them at risk. For parents, the problem is even more immediate. If you’re asking “Is my daughter a drug addict?” we have help for you.
Teens and Alcohol – The Statistics
Drinking is common among adolescents:
How Teen Drinking Affects Families
Whether they’re struggling with a child with substance use disorder or just trying to keep kids from drinking, substance abuse is a big concern for parents. Children from all families, regardless of their religion, status, or ethnicity, are at risk. Studies show that the earlier a child drinks, the greater the chance it will become a problem in the future. Your child’s rational brain is still developing until the age of 25, and alcohol and drugs change the way it functions.
Binge drinking is especially dangerous because it can cause alcohol poisoning. Even if your child rarely drinks but drinks a lot at one time, it’s still considered binge drinking. The American Academy of Family Physicians says children between the ages of 12 and 17 should not drink, and laws prohibit anyone from drinking before the age of 21.
Substance Abuse Changes Family Systems
When there is an alcoholic son or daughter, other family members take on roles to help the family deal with the chaos and confusion. While this may help with the immediate situation, it also enables the addict to continue drinking, and the dysfunction can be passed down through generations. That’s why therapists call alcoholism a family disease and prefer to work with the entire family during recovery.
The combination of stress and friction that comes with parenting a child who drinks too much can drive a wedge between parents and cause siblings to act out. The addiction affects a child’s academic performance, social life, and personality, but it also robs other children of their innocence and security.
How Family Therapy Helps
Unlike individual counseling that focuses on the thoughts and behavior of one person, family therapy gives family members a chance to explore and understand the roles they play in the family. Members work together to see the unhelpful behaviors and repair the family system. Everyone learns new skills and puts them into practice.
Therapy teaches parents to re-frame negative events and emphasizes resilience and other strengths they may not recognize. This sometimes brings up issues that lie beneath the surface and contribute to dysfunction within the family unit. Recognizing these patterns and replacing them with more effective ones allow the family to recover and avoid similar issues in the future.
Family therapy operates around four principles:
Is My Daughter a Drug Addict?: How to Have an Intervention
“Is my daughter a drug addict?” is a painful question for any parent. Whether you’re wondering about that or questioning whether your son is an alcoholic, you’re aware that substance use is a problem. Now, you need to know how to have an intervention. Follow these steps:
Interventions are difficult for parents, and the addict will likely be angry and resistant to change. It helps to engage a professional intervention specialist who knows how to have an intervention and de-escalate conflict. Be prepared.
Addiction Treatment for Teens
Whether you’re looking for addiction treatment for your alcoholic son or daughter, you need the support of experienced professionals who understand addiction treatment for teens.
Rehab centers use various types of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), exposure with risk prevention (ERP), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Teens learn skills for sober living and apply them to their own thoughts and circumstances after each lesson.
Rehab centers may integrate alternative practices, such as psychodrama, yoga, or music-assisted therapy, that give teens a safe environment to build relationships and share their stories. Addiction affects physical and mental health. A holistic approach addresses the substance use disorder and incorporates it into a program that supports the mind, body, and spirit.
At Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, we know how substance use affects families, and we want them to be a part of treatment and recovery. That’s why we offer therapy sessions and support groups to help you communicate more effectively and heal old wounds. We want your family to be more aware and stronger than ever before.
Our experienced team knows how to deal with the anxiety and depression that affects young addicts and their loved ones. We go into the trenches with you and work to restore your family. Find out more about our adolescent and intensive outpatient programs, or speak to a specialist today.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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Alcohol addiction is extremely difficult to overcome on your own.. Seek specialized help and let professionals guide you in your recovery.
