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Explaining certain topics to kids might be complex especially if one of the parents of the child is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Depending on the age of the kid, you need to lay it down in simple words for them to process and understand. They might see their parents dealing with substance abuse, fighting and this can make them feel unloved or guilty.
Being Honest Helps
Many adults think that kids need to be left out of substance issues. Here is where they go wrong. Bear in mind, those kids can sense when things are wrong at home or with their parents. If you are a parent that is dealing with a substance issue and are trying to overcome it, your child has the right to know that you are on the road to recovery.
If you are facing issues with withdrawal symptoms, then do not try to overcome them alone. You might make the situation worse. There are many credible drug addiction rehab San Diego centers such as Genesis Recovery headquartered in La Mesa, California that have several programs that can help you recover from all types of substance abuse addiction.
They offer customized treatment plans depending on your addiction history along with counseling and group sessions and activities that can help you deal with the root cause of the problem and help you live a healthy life.
Now when it comes to explaining your addiction recovery to your kids, you first need to know what to discuss. If you have young kids less than 8 years, they will be able to understand what substance abuse is. Here is where you need to be patient and break it down for them.
If they feel unloved or guilty thinking they are the reason you are addicted to alcohol or drugs, then you need to make them understand that it’s not their fault. You need to tell them that you are ill and need to take medications to cure this illness. Tell them you love them and their support means a lot to you.
In the case of teenagers, you need to be upfront and explain your addiction. They will have lots of questions which you need to answer honestly. Such topics need to be handled sensitively and at the right time.
Reassurance and Timing Matters
Now, you cannot start a conversation about your addiction anywhere. You need to set a proper time and place. You can call for a family meeting after dinner and slowly spell it out to them.
Some of the ways that you can reassure kids are by:
- Talking to your kids when they are relaxed
- If you are a relative and want to convey the addiction of their parents to the kids, ensure that you are alone with the kids.
- Telling them that they can come to you anytime to talk about their insecurities
Seeing their parents high or inebriated can make them feel embarrassed and scared. They might even resent you for not being with them when they needed you the most.
Conclusion
Reassurance to kids goes a long way. Making kids feel safe and secure should be your primary goal even before you communicate about addiction issues.
