Millions of people struggle with substance abuse disorders and addiction. Spotting an addiction in your child is not always easy, especially if they are typically withdrawn and have an introverted personality. Knowing what to look for in a child struggling with an addiction is essential to determine the best method of helping them overcome their battles.
Psychological Changes
Take note of common psychological changes that occur in both children and adults facing an addiction. Some of the most common psychological changes to watch for include:
- Social isolation and becoming increasingly withdrawn
- Depression or worsening anxiety
- Preoccupation of thoughts regarding their addiction
- Inability to focus on other aspects of life
- Insomnia or sleeping much more than usual is extremely common
- Inability to maintain control of emotions (increased agitation, rage, and restlessness becomes prevalent)
Psychical Effects of Addiction
Additionally, it is important to keep an eye on potential physical effects of addiction, as listed American Addiction Centers, that may manifest in your child including:
- Increased nausea and vomiting when your child no longer has access to their addiction
- Breaking out in sweats and rapid temperature changes in the body
- Pale, clammy skin
- Shakiness when experiencing a physical withdrawal from substances such as drugs or alcohol
- Increased number of headaches and migraines when experiencing a physical withdrawal from chemicals and substances
Talk With Your Child
According to Freedom Treatment Centers of California, “It’s common for people to use drugs and alcohol to celebrate their achievements, ease their aches and pains, and calm their anxieties. But with such widespread use, an increasing number of people struggle with substance abuse disorders and addiction.” Talk directly to your child about the addiction they are facing in a non-confrontational manner. Express your love and care for your child without threatening extreme consequences. Show support and provide guidance while promising to remain by your child’s side while working towards overcoming their addiction and throughout their journey to sobriety. This advice is echoed by The Recovery Village.
Search for Local Resources
Consider both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers for your child when they are struggling to overcome an addiction. Inpatient rehab facilities require patients to live at the center itself throughout the entirety of a program. Outpatient facilities provide programs that include group therapy sessions as well as individual counseling to help prevent relapses and the temptation to turn to addiction again. Solutions Recovery offers this advice, “When a person struggles with addiction, it is important to find a program that can help the individual overcome this problem and manage the disease on a long-term basis. Many rehabilitation programs view addiction as a chronic illness, and they offer a host of medical and therapeutic services that help the individual detox from the substance, learn more about their addiction, and find coping strategies for triggers or stress.
Looking for tell-tale signs of addiction helps prevent abuse from becoming worse while providing your child with the resources necessary to a life of sobriety. Understanding the physical and psychological behavior to look for in a child who has an addiction can help to get your family on the right track.
If you are a parent with a child struggling with addiction and have questions about how you can help support them through their road to recovery, contact me now!
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