Now that your child has calmed down, are you worried about a relapse?
Please let me know if there are any strategies that would help.
Parents often feel helpless when their child’s recovery does not go well. There are things you can do to support your teen or young adult and help them get back on track.
Each situation is different when it comes to recurrence. A relapse usually occurs for some reason. It could be withdrawal symptoms, untreated mental illness, or lack of support.
You should have a relapse plan in place just in case it does happen again.
There are things your son or daughter can do to avoid a relapse and continue their recovery.
Of course, many parents are thrilled that their child has decided to change their life. However, an early recovery can be uncertain for all involved.
Temptation may come from many directions for your child. Triggers can be old friends, familiar footprints, or toxic communication between family members.
Parents can do all they can to help their children overcome drug and alcohol abuse.
Whether your child lives at home, lives alone, or lives in a modest home, your approach can go a long way in keeping them healthy.
Dr. Robert Myers says: “Let’s not blame them if it recurs.” Because they went back a day or two. Start over again and keep that positive attitude. “
Here are some ideas on how best to actively support your child’s early recovery.
1. Plan ahead for possible relapses.
Your child will develop a relapse prevention plan within the treatment program. It would be helpful if parents could do the same.
Bringing it up may make you feel awkward or even make you think you might have a relapse. But it’s a good idea to have a discussion before it happens so that you both know the next steps in case a slip or relapse occurs.
How would you like to respond to help your child return to healthy behavior? Reacting to the moment, we tend to get emotional and start screaming. It just makes your child even more embarrassed about the situation. What helps is to think about how you want to react so you can learn from the experience and move forward.
Planning for a recurrence is like taking out insurance. I hope it never happens, but I have a backup plan in case it does. Planning can help you worry less and feel in control.
It is important to create an environment where you can have healthy conversations with your child. Find out what went wrong. What could be done better?
We know that madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.
How can I stay away from madness? How can I support you and lead a healthy life?
Counselor Pat Awesome said: Bring yourself back to the present. What is happening at this moment? Remember that the situation can change from moment to moment. There are many paths to recovery, perhaps not as straight as you would like, but it happens all the time. “
2. Deal with anxiety
You may also continue to worry that your child will relapse. Obsessions involve a lot of “what if” thoughts. What if she relapses, loses her job, or has to go back to therapy? What if she never wants to quit? This type of thinking is fear of the future.
It’s better to talk than to worry. Ask permission to talk to your child in advance so that you are clear with each other.
Let’s discuss your troubles. Ask, “If you notice that your child’s behavior indicates that he or she has been high in the past, can we talk about it?” is that ok?
Stay as positive, calm, and hopeful as possible. It can help you both continue your journey to a healthier life.
Here are some tips smart recovery.
Deal with anxiety when negative thoughts persist.
- Call someone you trust. Tell your child that your anxiety has hit you and you need their support. That may mean asking them to stay off contact until their symptoms subside, or helping them to come and stay with them and make them feel safe.
- do something physical Take a brisk walk, run up and down stairs, or play jumping jacks. Allow your body to expend extra energy.
- Distract yourself – try adult coloring, knitting, crocheting or drawing. Repetitive activities such as meditation have a calming effect.
- Go somewhere safe and quiet. Try a full-blown anxiety attack. Many people find that trying to deal with an anxiety attack is counterproductive.
- Deep breathing is effective. One popular method is abdominal breathing. Lie on your back, breathe through your nose, and watch your belly expand as you inhale. Hold your breath for a few seconds, then exhale deeply through your mouth. Watch your stomach collapse as you exhale. Repeat until you find yourself more relaxed. Singing can also help you breathe if you start hyperventilating.
- could you write It helps to get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and having trouble concentrating, create a to-do list to organize your thoughts. Alternatively, write in your diary and express what is bothering you.
- Focus on what you can control and take action. Choose your outfit for the week. Plan your meals for the next few days or organize your desk. Taking care of the little things will free you up for more important tasks.
3. Encourage aftercare to prevent recurrence
Sober living is a great support system for those in early recovery. If your child is finishing a therapy program, ask your counselor to recommend a humble living home. Some programs recommend leaving her at least three hours away from home to minimize triggers from the past as much as possible.
Sober living is a great way to ease back into real life. My daughter fasted for 6 months. One of the conditions was that the girl had attended college or had a part-time job. They had weekly meetings with members of the house only, had normal curfews and rules, and ensured there were no young men in the house.
A humble life can be a more confident, safe and supportive place for children. She will be more prepared and ready to face the pressures of the outside world. Staying sober is not easy for anyone, especially young people. It’s embarrassing not to drink alone. Having a group of housemates on the same path can make a difference in your child’s ability to stay sober.
Aftercare may also include seeing a counselor, recovery coach, or attending regular meetings. Regular exercise and a healthy diet also help. The key is to have a support plan that you feel is viable.
4. Don’t try to manage your child’s recovery
Remember, this is your child’s recovery, not yours. Reminding your child about attending a meeting, visiting a counselor, or looking for a job may ease anxiety.
However, being overly involved in the recovery of others does not help. Sometimes you can work even if you live at home. However, families whose children lead frugal lives may not want to be involved in observing their recovery.
You are trying to encourage and support your child, Remind him to continue his recovery and he may start to become rebellious. It leads to tension, which is not what someone wants when trying to recover. I appreciate your patience during this sensitive time. Give them room to find ways to motivate them to change.
Instead of reminding, focus on what your child is doing well. If you see him often, acknowledge his efforts to make a difference. It’s also the perfect time to get a reward. Gift cards, special dinners, or fun outings can reward your child’s efforts to lead a healthier life. Giving positive comments also helps keep you in a more hopeful frame of mind.
5. Consider possible recurrent triggers
Unfortunately, relapse can occur as part of addiction recovery.
Thinking about the factors that might impede your child’s recovery can help you support them. Share this with your children.
Here are six questions to consider when a relapse occurs, from an article by Dr. Carrie Wilken. “Find a way to get past the relapse.”
Questions to ask yourself:
- What were the internal factors (thinking, feeling, etc.) that caused you to return to your old behavior? For example, do you feel lonely avoiding the friends you keep using? Were you plagued by critical thoughts about your ability to make change in the first place?
- What external factors (e.g. stress at work, fights with friends, financial insecurity, etc.) caused you to return to your old behavioral patterns?
- Once you’ve identified your triggers, identify which triggers you can change or avoid.
- Think about the change plans you had before the relapse. Were you specific enough? If you had a plan, did you execute it, or did you just think of it?
- Did anything unexpected happen? A problem that you did not expect or did not expect as a problem.
- What was the biggest problem you faced while trying to make a change?
6. Brainstorming options
Having a plan B in case it recurs can help reduce obsessions and anxiety. This planning can be flexible, but having a plan in mind can reduce anxiety. Consider how you can have all the options available if your child relapses.
If the relapse is severe, you may go on a detox and rejoin the treatment program. If the symptoms get worse and your child is ready for recovery, you can gather support around them. A counselor, recovery coach, or sponsor can help your child recover.
Recurrences are frustrating and painful, but they can often be difficult. A few small steps can get your child back on track.
7. Practice gratitude
Instead of looking back, be grateful for what your child has accomplished. With gratitude, you can continue to take small steps towards a positive, healthy life.
It takes courage to recover and live. Every day your child must choose to live a new life without resorting to drug or alcohol use.
Celebrate every step your child takes to change their life. Encourage them to continue on their path to recovery. Thanking them for their hard work will make you feel more optimistic.
This article was updated on May 16, 2023.
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