My Addicted Daughter Needs Help

If your daughter is in active addiction, whether it involve alcohol or other drugs, discussion of any kind can be tricky to navigate. Family dynamics often play a foundational role in addiction. Thus, past hurts and misgivings can further complicate things. Your family’s dynamic may include codependent behaviors that are multigenerational. From the outside, it’s easy to see that wanting a loved one to go to rehab is coming from a place of love. However, from the addict’s perspective, it may feel very negative, even threatening. It is likely the first conversation about rehab will not be well received.If you want to help your addicted daughter to choose rehab, it is absolutely necessary to make sure the conversation is well thought-out and presented in a way she will hear.

Planning the Conversation with your Addicted Daughter

Even considering the conversation with your daughter can induce fear and anxiety for you. This is NOT an easy topic. Fear and anxiety may hold you back from being honest and sincere. Have a plan. You can even practice with an understanding loved one. It will help.

A Few Tips

• Do your research about treatment options.
• Engage her with love, a calm tone, and empathetic demeanor.
• Be aware of emotions, yours and hers, before, during, and after the conversation.
• Be prepared to talk about uncomfortable things. Addiction is not pretty.
• Know your boundaries and be firm about them.
• Be patient and be prepared for a less than ideal outcome.
• Make it clear that support will be there throughout the process.
• DON’T barter or bribe. (ex: I’ll buy you a car if you stop drinking”)

Consider a Professional Intervention for Your Addicted Daughter

If the discussion does not go well, it may be time to consider bringing in the professionals. It is a myth that interventions must be like those you may have seen on TV. It does not have to be a room full of family and friends armed with letters. However, any effective intervention must be well planned. You may hire a professional, licensed interventionist. Perhaps your pastor or rabbi may be willing to help. Introducing her to a person in recovery willing to share her experience is another option. In Alcoholics Anonymous, this is often referred to as a 12 Step call. The purpose of an intervention is really to facilitate your addicted daughter into being receptive to hear the impact their addiction has on their life and others. It is about getting honest. The goal is to have your addiction daugher hear and accept the information.

Stay involved in the treatment process

If she has agreed to go to rehab and is interested in recovery, congratulations! However, there will be a long road ahead of her and the whole family. Most residential treatment centers encourage little contact with the family. This allows the person in treatment to focus on themselves, and stay out of the family drama. However, that doesn’t mean family members can’t be a supportive presence. Being positive in the addict’s life throughout the process helps. The very best thing a family member or loved one can do for the person in treatment is simple. Start attending Al-Anon meetings, or personal therapy. Al-Anon is, hands down, the experts to help you do the very best you can to help your daughter.

Allow for healing

The term “allow” might seem strange in this context. However, oftentimes, the contribution of family dynamics does not provide a healthy space for her to heal. Because of this, it is important to be very honest about what is holding healing back. Address these concerns openly, genuinely, and clearly together and separately. This process occurs during and after rehab. Thus, the family grows and changes together, for the better.

Standing Together

Though it may be hard to believe, an addiction is sometimes a wake-up call for the whole family. Therefore, you may begin to see the doubtless unhealthy coping mechanisms. Your addicted daughter's treatment may redefine a new future of growth and change. And this can be for all in the family unit. See this as an opportunity to rise to the occasion of communicating positively and clearly. You can talk about uncomfortable topics. Furthermore, connecting with your loved ones in even more honest ways than before may be a happy outcome.

Serenity Vista

Serenity Vista is a highly effective, private addiction rehabilitation center in Panama. This international drug rehab is independently rated one of the top ten alcohol, and drug rehabs and the top authority on drug rehabilitation, in the world! An exceptional, yet affordable luxury private drug and addiction rehab. The location in a tropical Caribbean paradise contributes to the healing. SV accepts a maximum of 6 guests at a time. Therefore, all guests receive highly individual therapy.Is your daughter is willing to go to rehab? Help her find the right treatment for her needs. Contact Serenity Vista and start your family’s new journey today!