When someone enters an addiction treatment program, the process can feel overwhelming for their family and loved ones. When this process involves a child or teenager, it can feel even more challenging to know where to begin, especially if their parent or loved one is entering an inpatient treatment program. After all, how do you explain addiction to a child? And how do you explain their loved one’s absence during treatment? The truth is that being honest with your child about substance abuse and recovery is tough, but there are steps you can take to help. Here are 7 tips for talking to your child about a family member’s addiction. 

1. Prepare Yourself

Before talking to your child, it's important to prepare yourself. This means being ready to explain and answer their questions on the topic of addiction, but also preparing yourself mentally for the emotional challenges of the conversation. You’ll want to consider how you can best communicate the information in a way that doesn’t scare or upset them, as well as prepare yourself for how they might react. It may feel like an impossible task, but remember, you are capable of doing hard things.

2. Set the Stage

Choosing the right environment for your conversation is important. A familiar place may feel more comfortable and safe for your child. 

• Look for a space with few distractions.

• Set aside time for them to ask questions and respond. It’s best not to rush the conversation.

• Avoid having the conversation before school or a sporting event. They may need time to process the situation afterward.

3. Stay Positive 

It’s important to not only set the stage but set the tone for the conversation as well. Change can be confusing and disorienting for anyone, but especially for the younger members of the family.

By entering the conversation with a positive tone and focusing on the hopeful outcomes, you can help them better acclimate to the news. Focus on the beneficial aspects of recovery, emphasize that recovery is possible, and will help create a better future for your family.

4. Discuss the Addiction

Depending on your family’s circumstances, your child may be unaware of their loved ones’ addiction. It’s important to explain substance abuse in terms that the child or teen can understand. For example, if you're talking to a young child, you might say that their loved one has a disease called "addiction" that makes them do things they don't want to do. You want to break the situation down as simply as possible, while still being honest with your child about what their loved one is experiencing. If you're having trouble figuring out what to say, ask them questions about their thoughts on the situation and go from there.

5. Discuss Treatment

Talking to your child about treatment can help them feel more comfortable with the situation if they know more about what's happening and why it's important for their loved one’s recovery. Explain the types of treatment programs available and how long each type will last. Children need to understand the changes that will affect them during the recovery process. If your family member is seeking inpatient treatment, you’ll want to discuss any communication or visitation policies as well. 

6. Validate and Support

Validate how difficult this process may be for your child and let them know that you will support them in any way you can. Encourage them to share their feelings with you and invite them to ask any questions they may have. Children may assume their loved one’s addiction is their fault or that they are somehow to blame. By keeping a compassionate and supportive dialogue open, you can help reassure them they are not responsible for their loved one’s substance abuse.

7. Find Additional Support

Just as your loved one or family member needs the right tools to help them recover from addiction, there is no shame in seeking out professional help for your family during this time. Working with an addiction-informed specialist can help your family navigate the various challenges of the recovery process, like coping with loneliness during inpatient treatment or being vigilant to the signs of relapse.

If you or a family member is struggling with a loved one’s substance abuse, it’s important to know you are not alone. The Walker Center offers mental health treatment and counseling services like family therapy in Twin Falls, Idaho. Our dedicated team of counselors and addiction specialists will work with you and your family to help you cope with the recovery process and navigate the challenges together. Give us a call today.