What To Do If My Child Relapses

When a child relapses, it can be challenging for both the child and the parent.

It is essential to have open communication with your child about addictive behaviors, how to avoid them, and how to talk about the topic of relapse.

If your child is living with addiction and has relapsed, there are ways that you can support them and let them know you are someone they can lean on.

How To Support Your Child During Relapse

If your child has relapsed after treatment, there are several ways you can support them and help them avoid continued use.

Start by addressing the relapse without judgment. Help your child to identify what triggered the relapse. Ask your child what you can do to help them.

Help your child to research treatment options and decide how to handle treatment together with the help of a licensed clinician or substance abuse counselor.

The Prevalence Of Relapse

Relapse is prevalent. Over 50% of individuals living with a substance use disorder relapse after treatment.

Studies have found that relapse rates are between 40 and 75% within three weeks to six months after treatment.

Substance use disorders are often episodic, with periods of abstinence, reduction of drug or alcohol use, and relapse.

As a result, it’s important to treat relapse as a normal, but risky, part of the recovery process.

Instead of displaying disappointment or shaming your child, take a deep breath and get them back to treatment.

Recognizing The Signs Of Relapse

Relapse is a process that starts weeks or months before the event of physical relapse. There are three stages of relapse: mental, emotional, and physical. Each stage has its own symptoms.

The signs of emotional relapse are:

• restlessness
• irritability
• anxiety
• anger
• intolerance
• mood swings
• isolation
• poor eating habits
• poor sleep

The signs of mental relapse are:

• thinking about people or places associated with drug use
• glamorizing past drug use
• lying
• fantasizing about using
• thinking about relapse
• hanging out with those you used drugs or alcohol with
• cravings

The physical symptoms of relapse may include:

• changes in grooming or hygiene
• unexplained weight loss
• small or enlarged pupils
• bloodshot eyes
• slurred speech
• lack of coordination
• tremors

If your child is displaying any of these symptoms, they may be considering relapse or have relapsed.

How To Arrange Treatment For Your Child

If your child is under the age of 18, sending your child to treatment can be daunting.

Adolescents are more likely to resist treatment, and the responsibility of arranging treatment often falls on the parents.

Legally, those under the age of 18 can be put into rehabilitation without their consent. While this may seem harsh, there isn’t always an alternative option.

If your child is over the age of 18, it can be challenging to persuade them to consider treatment.

They may think that they don’t need formal treatment, or they may be fearful that treatment will not work. If your adult child expresses willingness to get help, you can start a conversation about them attending treatment.

How Bedrock Can Help You Arrange Treatment For Your Child

If you are considering entering your child into treatment or your adult child has expressed willingness to attend treatment, we can help.

Contact Bedrock Recovery Center to learn more information about our treatment programs.