Five Ways to Help Prevent Your Child From Relapsing

Being the parent of a child suffering from addiction is hard, and it can be a challenge to keep them on the road to recovery. Here are five actions you can take to keep your child on track.

1. Express Words of Encouragement

Remember that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing. Blaming your child will only increase feelings of guilt and shame. Instead, view their addiction as responsible. Let your child know you are here for them and proactively show your support. Say things like, “What’s the best way I can help you right now?” These actions will demonstrate your support during their recovery.

2. Believe in Your Child

Showing confidence in your child’s ability to get healthy again works wonders in the recovery process. Saying “I believe in you” and “I know you can get better” are ways to show your support and help prevent relapse. Keep in mind that it’s important to mean what you say and fully believe in your child.

3. Continue Therapy

When you observe the first signs of recovery in your child, it’s easy to think therapy is no longer needed. However, encourage your child to continue their therapy and addiction treatment. People in recovery can relapse and return to bad habits. Establishing healthy coping strategies through therapy is essential.

4. Avoid Risk Factors

Keep your home free from drugs, alcohol and other substances that may tempt your child to relapse. Work with your child to help them stay away from friends and environments that may encourage relapse.

5. Re-Establish a Healthy Sleeping Routine

Drug and alcohol addiction can alter brain chemicals and the body’s ability to restore itself naturally. That’s why it’s crucial to introduce a structured sleeping plan into your child’s life. Getting enough sleep is one of the most effective ways to recover after addiction.

Relapse Does Not Mean Failure

Sometimes, even after you’ve taken preventative measures, relapse happens. It’s vital not to get down on yourself. What’s important is how you pick yourself and your child up. Staying calm and supportive is the best way to respond to your child after relapse.

Contact Gateway for Support During Recovery

If you or your child feels overwhelmed by addiction, you are not alone. Contact Gateway for more information on how to prevent your child’s relapse and to learn more about our evidence-based treatment.

Gateway Foundation

Gateway Foundation is a recognized leader in evidence-based addiction treatment proven to get results. Our experts in Addiction Medicine—including highly educated clinical and medical professionals and expert psychiatrists and nurses—deliver care that never stops. For over 50 years, Gateway Foundation has been helping individuals and their families recover from addictions and behavioral health issues and is the only provider that covers the entire state of Illinois with 16 facilities from the Wisconsin Border to the Kentucky Border. Gateway has specific programs focusing on substance use disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring issues. We’re licensed by the state of Illinois and accredited by the Joint Commission. We are in-network with all the major commercial insurance plans. Gateway Foundation: Addiction medicine, saving lives.