Signs That Your Son Is An Addict

Helping an Addicted Child

There is nothing easy or straightforward about watching someone you love suffer at the hands of a life-threatening substance abuse disorder. There is no manual book that instructs you on how to cope – there is no “set of simple steps” that informs you of how to provide help and support. Addiction is unpredictable, and because of that, addiction is often very messy. You might come to your loved one with the best intentions in the world, only to have your most sincere efforts backfire right in your face. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we understand just how painful active addiction can be for everyone involved. Many of our staff members have been in addiction recovery for decades, and many have helped loved ones through the early recovery process in the past. We understand what you are going through, and we are available to help in any way possible.

Watching your son or daughter struggle with addiction might be the most painful experience of all. You desperately want to help your child find his or her way to recovery, but you are often left feeling helpless, alone and overwhelmed. The good news is that there are several ways in which you can help. If you believe that your son might be an addict but you are unsure how to determine this for sure, we have outlined several clear indications below. If you are sure that your son is struggling with a substance abuse disorder and you want to get him admitted into a long-term treatment program sooner rather than later, call us today.

Signs That Your Son Addicted

The teenage years can be tumultuous as it stands. Hormones are slightly out of whack and mood swings (characterized by angry outbursts and door slamming) are pretty much the norm. However, there are several ways to tell whether your son is simply moody or if he has been actively abusing mood and mind altering substances. It is common for parents to overlook warning signs like excessive moodiness, social isolation and excessive fatigue or tiredness, chalking them up to puberty. However, these signs – and others – could be an indication of an existing substance abuse problem. Some other signs that your son might be an addict include:

• A sudden change to his peer group
• A lack of attention paid to personal hygiene
• Requiring more privacy and withdrawing from his close friends and his family
• Declining grades in school/getting in trouble more often at school
• Sleeping more than is normal or staying up late
• Changes to eating patterns, which can lead to weight loss or weight gain
• A lack of motivation to participate in extracurricular activities that were previously enjoyed
• Sudden and unexplainable shifts in mood

If your son has been abusing drugs you might also begin to find paraphernalia hidden around the house or stashed in his bedroom. Rather than angrily confront him if you do find evidence of drug use, try having a conversation with your son that is calm, rational and based in concern rather than condemnation. If you would like more tips on how to have a productive conversation regarding potential drug abuse, reach out to us today for additional information and professional insight.

Having a Beneficial Conversation

Having a conversation with your son is an important part of facilitating the recovery process. It is important that you wait until you are able to speak to him in a calm and rational manner, and that you find a time when he is completely sober and not intoxicated. Come from a place of compassionate concern, expressing your own feelings regarding the situation in a clear and concise way. Avoid placing blame or pointing your finger – let him know that you have his best interest at heart, and that you are willing and able to offer him any recovery-related support he may need. Parents play a crucial role in the overall recovery process. In addition to providing ongoing emotional support, you can help your son by providing supervision and structure within the household, driving him to any recovery-related meetings or appointments and helping him find a treatment center that meets his unique clinical needs. Many treatment centers offer family-oriented treatment services, meaning that you are able to participate in the entire treatment process while recieving your own help and support (often through family therapy and family workshops).

Taking the Next Step
Intervention

If your son has been grappling with a life-threatening substance abuse problem but he vehemently opposes seeking professional help, staging a professionally facilitated intervention is always a good option. It is important that you never attempt to stage an intervention on your own. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we work closely with several professional and licensed interventionists, all who boast extremely high success rates. If you have seemingly run out of options and you are desperate to get your son the help he needs as quickly as possible, we are available to help.

Princeton Detox & Recovery Center

At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we offer a gender-specific, multi-phased program of clinical care. We offer a wide range of detox programs and addiction services geared towards helping men of any age in Monmouth County, New Jersey and all surrounding areas overcome substance abuse and go on to lead the happy and fulfilling lives they deserve. Regardless of what type of substance disorder your son has been struggling with, we are available to help. Simply give us a call today and we will either begin the admissions process or put you into touch with one of our licensed interventionists. If your son is ready to begin the admissions process, we begin by asking him a series of simple, non-invasive questions in order to get a better feel for his personal clinical needs. Once the initial pre-assessment is complete we begin determining plans for coverage. We understand that the early recovery process can be overwhelming, and we are available to make things as uncomplicated as possible every step of the way. At Princeton Detox & Recovery Center we work closely with most major regional and national health insurance providers, meaning that if your son is currently insured there is a good chance that some or all of our services are covered partially or in full. Finally, we set a date and time for his intake. We understand the urgency that goes hand-in-hand with getting your son admitted into a professional program of clinical care, which is why we have developed an admissions process that is as straightforward as possible. To learn more about our program and setting up an intervention, to learn more about how to determine whether your son is an addict or to begin admission contact us today.