Watching your teen struggle with addiction can be one of the hardest experiences a parent can have. Whether your teen is in the midst of their addiction, going through rehab, or relapsing, it can be easy to get discouraged. This isn’t the time to be discouraged though. Instead, maintaining positivity, although difficult, is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your teen. The power of a positive attitude cannot be understated in these trying times. Today in the Ozarks Teen Challenge blog we’ll talk about why you shouldn’t be discouraged at any point of the process.
Staying Positive During Addiction
If your teen is currently suffering from addiction, it can be very disheartening. When you feel like you’ve done everything you can to get them to overcome their addiction and there’s still no progress, it’s easy to get frustrated. It’s important to keep at it. Help your teen see how their addiction is hurting you and their loved ones. Help them see how it’s hurting them.
Being negative and impatient with your teen is a surefire way to make them angry, rather than be open to help. Rehab only truly works when the addict realizes they have a problem and that they need help. By being persistent, positive, and patient you can help them come to this realization.
Staying Positive During Rehab
During rehab, it’s a little easier to be positive. After all, they’re getting the treatment they need to overcome their addiction. However, it can be discouraging to hear that they aren’t making progress. Again, be patient. Rehab is a process, it’s a not a magic pill. By working on their issues, teens can eventually learn to deal with their addiction and hopefully remain substance-free after they’re done.
Staying Positive During a Relapse
Perhaps the most discouraging phase that some addicts go through is relapse. After all the pain that the addiction causes, and all the hard work of rehab, a relapse can still happen. This is when people tend to get most discouraged. Again, realize that sometimes relapse happens.
Rather than be discouraged, support your teen and help them get back on the right path. Many rehab centers are equipped to help addicts who have relapsed and help them learn to avoid the triggers that caused them to become addicted in the first place.
Teen Rehab at Ozarks Teen Challenge
Ozarks Teen Challenge offers teen rehab. Contact us today for more information.
