Prepare For Your Child's Return From Opioid Addiction Treatment
Posted on: 28 July 2020
Your child is the most important person in your life, and you want the best for him or her. Unfortunately, opioid addiction can hit even those you love most. As a result, you may consider treatment for your child to ensure they receive the help they need.
Dealing with your child's opioid addiction can be extremely serious, and you may not be sure exactly what to do next. These are some steps you can take.
Understand: Addiction Can Be Long-Term
Many parents may not want to hear this about their child, but it is important to note that your child may not be "fixed" or "all better" when they return from opioid addiction treatment. This is a condition that requires ongoing attention to manage.
Encourage Healthy Choices
Post-treatment, your child needs you to provide support. One way you can support your child without enabling them is to encourage healthy choices regarding diet, exercise, and socialization.
Remove Temptations and Triggers
Before your child comes home from opioid addiction treatment, you can take some early steps.
For example, you can remove any drug paraphernalia and secure your own medications so they cannot be reached. It is also smart to remove substances your child did not receive treatment for. For example, your child may have received opioid addiction treatment, but you should also ensure they do not have access to alcohol as well.
Consider Life-Saving Measures
It is also important that you consider preventative measures you can take to protect your child. For instance, you can keep Narcan or Naloxone on hand to prevent deadly overdose on opioids. Many pharmacies provide this preventative medication without a prescription. It is also a good idea to learn how to use it and ensure that everybody else in your home can use it.
Plan for Aftercare
It is also important that you consider aftercare and prioritize it. Aftercare for your child may include living in a sober living house, seeing a psychiatrist regularly, taking medications to address mental health issues, and visiting recovery groups.
Solo therapy and family therapy are also useful aftercare tools. Family therapy can help open lines of communication in your home.
Talk to a Treatment Provider
Are you afraid for your child? Are you still in the process of considering treatment for your child? An opioid addiction treatment center is there to help. If you have questions, contact a professional today to learn more. Your child's life could depend on it.
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