Addiction causes devastation and significant health problems for the person using the drugs or alcohol, but they’re not the only victims of this terrible disease. Quite often, family members and friends of the person with addiction are also greatly harmed by watching their loved one fall into the dark descent of drug or alcohol abuse. If you’re struggling with this problem and wondering how do I help my son with addiction, you’re not alone.
An estimated 27.1% of young Americans ages 18 to 25—nearly 9.2 million people—had some kind of substance use disorder in the past year, according to a 2023 national survey. While it is possible to learn how to get sober alone, people typically will have a much better outcome in treatment if they have strong support systems back at home, and support from parents can be a crucial form of help as they start recovery and get back on their feet.
At Muse Treatment’s drug and alcohol rehab in Los Angeles, our team of addiction experts knows that young adults like your son need individualized treatment and intensive help to address the physical and mental aspects of their substance abuse. With our help, your son can learn to thrive in recovery without relying on drugs or alcohol. Together, we can work with you to give your son the tools and support he needs to get on the path to long-lasting recovery.
Let’s explore some topics about addiction among young men and explain how you can best help them break the chains of addiction, once and for all.
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How Can You Tell If Your Son Is Struggling With Addiction?
If you’re wondering how do I help my son with addiction, you’ve likely already noticed several of the signs of drug or alcohol addiction in your child. Drug addiction warning signs include things like:
- Failing to keep up with work, school, or home obligations, such as frequently missing things or performing poorly
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Losing or gaining weight
- Red eyes or dilated pupils
- Not keeping up with grooming
- A declining physical appearance
- Drastic behavior changes, like becoming secretive about what they’re doing, hanging around different people, or isolating from friends and family members
- Constantly struggling with money and asking for money without clearly explaining what it’s for
- Stealing money or items that are being sold to fund the habit
If your son’s behavior and mood have changed significantly, or you feel like they’re keeping their activities a secret, it could be signs that they’re struggling with an addiction, and if that’s the case, it’s time to get involved and try to help them help themselves.
What Should You Do First If You Suspect Drug or Alcohol Use?
If you suspect your son is struggling with an addiction, time is of the essence – addiction left untreated and ignored can quickly become a life-ruining or even fatal problem. Still, it can be hard to know how to start the conversation with them or even if they realize the extent of their own problem.
That’s why it’s crucial to prepare before talking with them. Think through what you want to say, focusing on their recent behaviors or moods concerning you. Rather than confronting them with judgment, start with a simple question: Ask them directly if they’re using drugs or drinking too much, rather than assuming they are from the beginning. After starting that conversation, give your son a chance to respond and speak about his feelings and opinions on the situation.
Another important thing to prepare is some ideas on how you can help them get professional help. Have resources ready to share with them if they’re open to hearing about treatment options or ways to improve. And try to keep the lines of conversation open—even if they’re unwilling or unable to talk about it today, you can try again another day.
How Can You Talk to Your Son About His Addiction Without Pushing Him Away?
Having a serious talk about addiction with your son carries the risk of driving them away, but there are ways you can prepare to minimize this risk and keep the conversation productive. A significant thing to focus on is trying to be supportive, not judgmental.
Ultimately, you want it to be a two-way conversation where you and he can talk freely about your feelings and opinions. Your son might bring up mental health struggles that he feels are causing him to turn to drugs or alcohol, or they might be trying to cope with past trauma. Whatever he says, try to acknowledge his feelings and experiences, but let him talk it out on his own time rather than pushing him to get to the root of everything right away.
It is also helpful to make the conversation more than just a list of how their behaviors concern or upset you. Try to encourage them by reminding them of things that are good in their lives, as well as their individual strengths or unique skills that they still have. By focusing on productive conversation and the genuine desire to help them get better, you can prevent the talk from devolving into an argument that won’t do anyone good.
Another good idea is to be prepared with suggestions of what they might do to get help. If they’re open to it, you could have contact information or websites for specific drug addiction treatment programs ready to share with them, as well as practical advice like lists of what to bring to addiction treatment or how they can get insurance verification before rehab. By making their options easier to understand and research, you can make it easier for them to get the help they need.
What Are the Treatment Options Available for Young Adults?
Many types of treatment can help a young adult recover from drug or alcohol addiction. Often, people benefit from starting with a short round of medically supervised detox to overcome withdrawal symptoms before they move on to the next step of treatment. In addition to intensive residential rehab programs, some people are good candidates for the more flexible, less intensive outpatient drug or alcohol addiction treatment options.
Support groups are also a great help for young men to get support and encouragement from their peers who are also in recovery from addiction. If you’re wondering how do I help my son with addiction, the best answer is to help them get professional support and treatment that uses evidence-based practices that are proven to help people like them overcome addiction.
Muse Treatment Can Help If Your Son Is Struggling with Addiction
Muse Treatment in LA is here for you if you’re trying to determine how do I help my son with addiction. Our Los Angeles drug and alcohol rehab programs offer therapy, skills training, and medical support to help them achieve long-lasting recovery. We can assist you and your son with planning for this life-saving treatment, including helping you figure out how to go to rehab without getting fired and how to pay for this help.
With our help and your continued support, your son doesn’t have to struggle with addiction forever. Instead, he can get on the road to recovery and find his way back toward a healthier future that he deserves. Learn more by calling us at 800-426-1818 today.
External Sources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- Mayo Clinic – Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder) Symptoms & Causes
- Government of Canada – How to Talk to a Family Member or Friend About Their Drug or Alcohol Use
