How Do I Explain My Substance Abuse Disorder to my Parents?

If you are the first person in your family to experience substance abuse, your parents may be clueless as to what you are going through. Although they may have supported you everywhere they could, you may have no words that can thoroughly explain how your addiction works within you. Your shame and guilt may keep you from wanting to share what it was like when you were out there.

Be general

You may want to think about what you should tell your parents because you may scare them with what you did under the influence and what you did to get your drugs and alcohol. Use your sponsor or therapist to tell your secrets to because your parents may not be able to get over the truth of your past.

Be truthful

Feel free to tell them about the obsession of the mind and the allergy of the body. Explain that once you have one drink or one hit you are unable to control what happens next. This theory may seem foreign to them and they may offer you advice to not drink or use in the first place, but you must clarify that you wish that was an option for you. Disclosing how triggers and cravings take over your brain in such a tremendous way leaves you powerless to the effects of drugs and alcohol. If you could have just stopped, you would have. You needed to help to change your mental perception and not suffer from dangerous withdrawals.

Be inspirational

Let them know how well your recovery is going so they can get onboard with your everything you are working for. Your parents will be thrilled that you are learning to live sober if you advise them in on what you are doing instead of leaving them out of your affairs. The changes you make will hopefully inspire them to do the same in their own life.

Be supportive

Now that you are getting help, direct your parents to get help too. Substance abuse is a family disease that touches everyone it meets and keeps the family sick. Even though your parents are not at fault for your actions, they need help to process their feelings of anger, disappointment, or insecurity just as much as you do. Tell them about Al-anon or CoDa to encourage them to get therapy for themselves to help the family heal. Talking to your parents about something that is personal, and humiliating can open the door for more opportunities in your recovery. Part of remaining sober comes from being transparent to the people that are supportive to you including your parents.

Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center leads the way with progressive, evidence-based programming to most effectively treat each individual adolescent while focusing on the uniqueness of each client. Healing the mind, the body, and the spirit as one in the same can make the biggest difference in staying sober.

Call us today to start living in recovery:

662-598-4214

The Stonewater Adolescent Treatment Process

What to Expect When Your Child Goes to Treatment

More than half a million families put a child into residential treatment for adolescents each year. If your family is taking this step, you are not alone - even if it may feel that way. With a clear understanding of what to expect, and trusted guides walking alongside you, this moment can be transformed from a time of fear and uncertainty to the beginning of a new and positive journey. Let's begin.