Healing for the Family: 4 Ways to Help Your Teen Stay Drug Free

No parent wants to discover that their teen is addicted to drugs. After getting the teen the right care, he or she has to return home and adapt to a new reality. What happens after receiving care is just as important as what happens in drug rehab.

Here are four ways to help your teen transition back into home life and remain drug free:

How does drug addiction affect the entire family?

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Drug addiction affects the entire family and wreaks havoc on family relationships. The family may encounter financial problems as a result of having to support the teen in their efforts to get clean and remain sober.

The family may even find it difficult to maintain a healthy line of communication. The family dynamic is disrupted and the home environment can become stressful.

Importance of aftercare for your recovering teen

The most important thing for a recovering addict is access to professional counseling provided through an aftercare program. These programs help keep the teen focused on the healing process and committed to the recovery. The person is able to work within a community of recovering addicts and can remain motivated when surrounded by peers.

Keeping the lines of communication open with your teen

One of the biggest factors in your teen’s success in recovery efforts is your relationship with them. Teens value the input of their parents. Teens are very receptive to the advice of their parents. Although it can be difficult, keeping an open line of communication with your teen is necessary.

Research shows that parents who engage their children on the subject of drugs are 50 percent less likely to experiment with drugs. Some research indicates that drug use actually increased when parental involvement is at a low.

Finding new opportunities for your kids

Most teens have a different time readjusting to family life and a healthy routine. Filling their daily routine with healthy activities that will keep them occupied will have a positive impact on their social life.

This also provides them with an opportunity to meet new friends and create healthier hobbies. Keeping the teen occupied and engaged in healthy activities sets the stage for a sober lifestyle.

Set boundaries

The parent has to create boundaries and reinforce the behaviors conducive to a sober lifestyle. This may require the implementation of new rules and revisiting expectations for the teen. A recovering teen must adapt to new roles and responsibilities. Keeping the boundaries visible and clear keep the teen safe and focused.

If your teen is struggling with a drug addiction, seek immediate help. There are plenty of great rehabilitation and treatment centers such as this drug rehab in Houston. If anything, the most important thing for your struggling teen to know is that you support them and are there to help them recover.