Friday, July 12, 2013


Parents of Addicts: The Importance of Education and Support

 

Parents of children whom struggle with addiction often suffer as much as their children do. Parents often blame themselves for their child’s addiction and issues with substance abuse, placing the tribulations of their child’s disease on their own shoulders. Parents of those who struggle from addiction and substance abuse often face an immense amount of anxiety and both social and emotional stress.

Almost any parent can relate to feeling remorse and guilt when their child is in trouble, blaming themselves for their child’s mistakes. But what if parents had more education about addiction? What if parents could understand that their child’s struggles with addiction were not their fault and that an immense number of factors contribute to substance abuse?

There are many factors which contribute to an individual becoming addicted to substances, including such stressors as traumatic events during childhood. One may argue that in this way, parents are at fault for their child’s substance abuse issues. However, there is much more to addiction than most realize. An immense number of youth struggle with addiction at no fault of their parents or other family members.

Research shows that those who struggle with addiction are more likely to succeed during their “road to recovery” when they feel supported by family and friends. Research also shows that family and friends of addicts are more successful in supporting loved ones facing addiction when they are educated about the disease and feel supported by other members of the community. Self Empowerment New Hampshire, LLC supports such practices with research based effectiveness as hosting support groups to help family members and friends of those struggling with addiction and issues with substance abuse. Such groups have been designed to deepen understanding of underlying causes of addiction and substance abuse, and to provide support to addicts, as well as to the family and friends of those struggling with addiction issues. Self Empowerment New Hampshire, LLC feels that no family should ever struggle with addiction alone, and recognizes that addiction affects not only those with substance abuse issues, but the friends and family members of such individuals.

As a parent of an individual struggling with addiction, you likely feel anger, frustration, confusion and helplessness. The programs offered at Self Empowerment NH, LLC can help ease the burden. With opportunities to work alongside your child in recognizing triggers and developing a personalized detoxification and relapse prevention plan, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other families who are also facing issues with addiction and substance abuse; Self Empowerment NH, LLC can help.

Please contact us for more information about the programs and groups that we can offer your family.

Lori Magoon, MLADC, LCMHC
(603)470-6937

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