Learning that your teenager is addicted to opiates like oxycodone or Vicodin is a scary feeling. You and your teenager are not alone since opiate abuse continues to grow among people of all ages. Helping your teenager get the help they need to safely detox and recover from their addiction is paramount. Here are a few tips to help you and your teen during this challenging time:
1. Help Them Detox Safely
One of the most difficult aspects of recovering from an opiate addiction is that once your teenager no longer has opioids in their system, they will go through physical and emotional withdrawal. Depending on the extent of their addiction, they may feel tired, weak, and nauseated like they have a bad case of the flu. They may even become violently ill, go through extreme mood changes, and experience intense opioid cravings.
This is a dangerous time for an addict and it's important that your teenager experience detox in a safe, comfortable, supportive environment where they will have access to medical attention, such as a rehab facility. Medication-assisted treatment can also make detox less painful and lead to more successful sobriety.
2. Learn More About Opiate Addiction
Opiate addiction often starts innocently, with prescribed pain medication after surgery, or recreational use at a party. Because opiates are so addictive, your teenager may have been surprised to find themselves craving more very quickly, and experiencing negative physical and emotional effects when they tried to stop.
Learning as much as you can about how opiate addiction works will make it easier for you to support your teen in a compassionate way, and will also help you learn the warning signs to look out for in the future. Your teen's doctor or rehab facility staff will be great resources, and they may even suggest you join a support group with other parents in a similar situation.
3. Get Them Into Therapy
In some cases, underlying issues such as untreated anxiety or depression can contribute to a teenager's opiate addiction. The addiction itself may also lead to serious consequences such as broken or damaged relationships. It's a good idea for your teenager to have a trained professional counselor to help them process these emotional and interpersonal issues.
Helping your teenager recover from their opiate addiction is a stressful time, but it doesn't have to feel hopeless. Following these tips and working with the right doctors and drug addiction treatment facility will help your teen recover from their addiction to opioids so they can go on to live a full and healthy life.
Contact a company like Support Systems Homes for more information and assistance.
