Getting Your Adult Child into an Inpatient Facility
As a parent, you never stop bearing the weight of your child’s decisions. One bizarre haircut or terrible girlfriend can leave you cringing. But, those pale in comparison to the feelings you face when your adult child is a substance abuser.
You might be filled with regret, shame, self-loathing, and frustration. It is nearly impossible to have to watch as your child’s health and stability are compromised by addiction.
But, there are steps you can take to remain involved with your child and to actively help them to recover. One of the best actions is seeking out a positive treatment program that meets your child’s needs and inpatient treatment definitely offers benefits that other options lack.
The National Institute on Drug Awareness reports, “23.5 million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem in 2009 (9.3 percent of persons aged 12 or older). Of these, only 2.6 million—11.2 percent of those who needed treatment—received it at a specialty facility.” If you are ready for inpatient drug rehab center recommendations and resources, contact InpatientDrugRehabCenters.com at 800-430-1407Who Answers? and speak with someone.
Inpatient Benefits
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the characteristics of admissions and discharges from substance abuse treatment facilities in its Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). According to this data, only 17 percent of people pursuing treatment in 2013 received rehabilitation/residential treatment. This is an unfortunately small number given the advantages that inpatient facilities offer.
Much like a hospital, inpatient rehabilitation centers provide a variety of treatments and services. This means that the centers can:
- Treat all conditions that contribute to the addiction
- Address concurrent medical issues
- Address concurrent psychological issues
- Create a holistic treatment plan
- Offer a team of experts to help your adult child: nurses, physicians, dieticians, psychiatrists, case managers, and social workers
- Guarantee a staff trained in addiction treatment
- Provide socialization in a safe space
The primary benefit is obviously the level of care provided, but the secondary benefit is that all of this happens in a custom environment tailored specifically for the purposes of treating addiction. Your child won’t have access to drugs or the lifestyle and social circle that provided them. Plus, family therapy is always a component of inpatient care, so you will also benefit and be able to rebuild a loving, trusting bond with your child.
Research
How do you go about getting your child into inpatient care? Research, research, research. Addicts have a number of excuses that keep them from seeking help, even when they know that they need it. Nagging your child to seek help isn’t productive. They know that they need it.
Instead, look into various inpatient centers and find some that fit your child’s needs. This will eliminate many of their excuses. Be sure to also research payment options, as this is both important and often an excuse that is used to avoid rehab.
Be Prepared to Drive
As soon as your child expresses a desire to seek help, get them in the car and on the way to the center. Think of it like preparing for a baby’s birth. You want a bag packed and a transportation plan in place.
Your adult child is likely no longer under your care or watchful eye. If they ask for help and it isn’t offered immediately, they are very likely going to ease back out of your life and into their former drug use. They can’t help it; addiction has got them.
Intervention
You know your child best and you know whether or not an intervention will work in their case. If your child is prone to outbursts of anger and violence, an intervention may make them feel cornered and likely to lash out. If, however, you think your child would respond to the entire family approaching them, make a plan. If you need help learning more about interventions and care facilities, contact InpatientDrugRehabCenters.com at 800-430-1407Who Answers?.
An intervention will be a great time to offer up the results of your research and, of course, be ready to take your child immediately to rehab if the intervention is successful.
Your child’s addiction is not your fault and it is not, ultimately, your responsibility. But, that doesn’t mean you won’t feel helpless. By becoming proactive, you can help your child and regain some of your power. Be sure to remain present and supportive throughout their care. They still need you and your love.