At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery in North Carolina, we address all factors that impact teen substance abuse. This includes family therapy services and information on how to support your son without enabling his substance abuse. So, we have compiled some helpful information regarding the signs of enabling and how to avoid them. For more information about your son’s treatment options, reach out to Foothills at Red Oak today at 866.300.5275.
What Is Enabling?
Enabling refers to actions taken to shield your son from the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. These behaviors differ from helping in supporting your adolescent or teenager. Instead, these behaviors make it easier for them to continue their irresponsible behavior.
Here are some signs that the behavior you exhibit crosses the line into enabling harmful habits:
- You rescue them when they make poor decisions while under the influence
- You provide a way for them to continue abusing drugs and alcohol
- You make decisions out of fear
- You would do anything to avoid a confrontation
- You minimize the impact of substance abuse
It may be time to put the well-being of the rest of your family first. Unless your son fully experiences the consequences of using drugs, he may not give it up anytime soon.
Are You Enabling Your Child?
As a parent, you want to make your child happy no matter what it takes. Unfortunately, accommodating your child with a substance use disorder enables them to continue risky behavior. You may fear that your child will cut off contact or overdose if you don’t provide a way for them to continue their habit. Consider teen treatment for substance abuse that can help your child find his way back to sanity and clean living.
Here are three signs that you have crossed the line between indulgent parenting and enabling their addiction. Our experienced counselors can help you and your son find a better way to deal with substance abuse.
1. Giving Them Money
Teens often ask their parents for money for gas, date night, or new video games. However, if you know or suspect your child drinks or uses drugs, don’t offer them money. Instead, buy the items they are asking for. That’s the best way to avoid funding their addiction. If you give your child money knowing that he can spend it on drugs, you send an implicit message of approval.
2. Lying About Teen Substance Abuse
As a parent, you want to protect your child. However, this desire could end up with you lying for them and making excuses for their substance abuse. You can’t win with this strategy, especially if it becomes a habit. It tells your child that he can behave as he wants without fear of retribution. Instead, let your son feel the consequences of his actions.
Parents often cover for their kids. Don’t provide excuses for missing school or lie to other family members about teen substance abuse.
3. Taking Care of Their Responsibilities
If you take on your son’s responsibilities, you enable him to continue his actions without consequences. This ranges from calling in sick to work for them to doing their homework after they’ve spent the night partying. Everybody slips up occasionally. If your son frequently misses school or work, he needs to feel the negative consequences of his actions. Allowing the problem to escalate can end up in an overdose, jail time, or worse.
Follow Through With Consequences
It’s essential to provide a suitable punishment for your son’s indiscretions. If he breaks curfew, gets arrested for drinking, or gets caught with drug paraphernalia, make the consequences clear. Do your best to match the severity of the punishment to the seriousness of the actions.
Practical consequences include taking away car keys, taking away cell phones, assigning extra chores, and grounding.
Family Therapy for Teen Substance Abuse
At Red Oak Recovery in North Carolina, we offer family therapy services as part of our teen treatment programs. Help your son take his first steps towards drug-free living. Contact us today at 866.300.5275, or contact us online to learn more about our addiction treatment services.
