David Marion - Steps to Confronting Addiction to Drugs and Alcohol

There’s no denying it. The signs are all there. Your child is addicted to drugs or alcohol. As a parent, it's scary discovering your child is addicted. In fact, there’s probably nothing scarier as a parent.

Now, it’s time to act to help your child—and your family. Addiction impacts the whole family—not just the child.

The question is what are you going to do about it? How are you going to get your child and family back on track?

Follow these steps from David Marion to confronting addiction at https://www.theliferecoverycoach.com/single-post/2018/07/27/Saving-Your-Child-6-Steps-to-Confronting-Addiction-to-Drugs-and-Alcohol

How to talk to your kids about substance abuse

Drugs. Alcohol. Tobacco. These things lie in wait for your kids. Even the best-behaved kids encounter them in school and on the playground.

Studies continually show that the chance of kids abusing drugs, especially teens, is less likely to occur if their families have open, honest discussions with them.

That’s why it’s never too soon to talk with your kids about substance abuse—whether you think they’re at risk for these drugs or not.

Starting the Conversation Is Key

Substance abuse is devastating. It hurts the child that's addicted. It hurts the child’s family. And it hurts society. The cost of abuse in the United States, including drugs, alcohol, and tobacco—exceeds $820 billion…and growing.

But talking with kids about substance abuse is challenging. It’s easy for the conversation to go off the rails no matter how sincere you are with your child. The key is starting the conversation the right way.

Below is some guidance on how to start the conversation with your kids and what to say once it’s started:

Start in an age-appropriate way

It’s never too early to discuss substance abuse with your kids. That’s especially true when it comes to alcohol and drugs. Kids as young as two can associate abuse with being bad for them. The trick is to start the discussion in an age-appropriate way, like using examples on television to make a point.

Let them choose the time and date

Let your child pick the time and place to have the conversation. Tell them you need to talk with them about something critical. That way you’re not catching them off guard. Plus, it eases the process of discussing the topic. Talking with them during driving or when they’re not working on a project, for example, sets up the right environment to express their feelings.

Talk about the harmful effects of abuse

Don’t sugar-coat the bad effects of substance abuse. Tell it just like it is. Abuse damages a young child’s thinking and learning abilities and hurts the performance of certain activities, like playing ports or learning to dance. Abuse and alcohol also can have immediate effects, like getting pregnant, catching an STD, or causing a fatal accident.

Ask them what they already know

Kids are sponges. They can quickly absorb images on television and things overheard in conversations between adults. So, before getting deep into the discussion, ask your kids what they know. Ask them also if anyone has offered them drugs or they've seen others using drugs or alcohol. Find out just what your kids know, and then build on it.

Communicate the seriousness of the risk

Among the top goals of your conversation with your kids is communicating about how big a risk they're taking when they do drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. Warn them that they may hear about how much fun it is or how much good it will make them feel. But that’s a trap. Tell them that even a one-time use can make them addicts.

Warn them about the dangers of peer pressure

Many first-time users succumb to peer pressures. Unfortunately, it can be an occasional occurrence that kids hardly notice. They may be given a beer at a party or asked to take a hit on a joint after a dance or other school function. Peer pressure plays no favorites. Make sure your kids know this.

Other tips on talking with your kids about substance abuse are setting clear expectations, focusing on the positive, and being honest about your own experiences.

The tips above provide guidance on talking to your kids about drugs. Use empathy and understanding in the conversation. If necessary, speak with a professional. Your child's life and happiness are at stake.

from
https://www.theliferecoverycoach.com/single-post/2018/10/17/How-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-substance-abuse

Sponsor or Recovery Coach: Choosing the Right Recovery Partner

Trying to decide what would be best—a sponsor or a recovery coach? Choosing the right one at the right time can be crucial in an individual’s recovery. Learning more about each of these key people, however, can help make the right decision.

Addiction is complex and multifaceted. And so is recovery. As one writer put it, there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to recovery. In fact, it’s downright challenging—no matter the substance being used.

So, it’s not surprising when addicts ask for additional support. But, where can they turn for this extra support? Do they need to work with a sponsor? Or, do they need to work with a recovery coach? And what’s the difference?

Sponsor: Mentor and Guide

Sponsors aren’t recovery coaches. In fact, they’re very different. Sponsors are in a service relationship with the recovering individual, not a professional one.

Sponsors support individuals working through a 12-step program—which provides guidelines for the best way to recover.

They help newcomers learn about the program, how it works, what they can expect, and what the expectations are.

Below are some services a sponsor provides:

Offer a willing ear to listen when the newcomer needs to talkGive encouragement and advice on resisting temptationAssists the addict in accomplishing the 12 stepsOffers suggestions, encouragement, and help in monitoring progressShares life experiences with the addict, being more experienced with the programShows up to meetings with his or her sponseeDoes not impose personal views or opinions on a sponsee

Put simply, sponsors are mentors and guides in recovery for more than a year and have worked through the steps themselves. They also don’t charge fees. Sometimes, they become close friends with the sponsee.

Recovery Coach: Helps with Goals for Recovery

Recovery coaching role is a relatively new concept in the professional recovery community. Coaches don't represent any 12-step programs like sponsors. Actually, recovery coaches don't promote or endorse any programs or methods of attaining or maintaining sobriety.

Instead, recovery coaches help addicts with achieving goals specific to recovery and sobriety. They work with recovering individuals to help them develop and follow structured recovery plans. They also can provide a link between sponsors and professional counselors.

Below are some services recovery coaches provide:

Act as liaisons for clients to help them access a variety of community servicesMonitor a client’s goals from pre-recovery to active recoveryEncourage recovery individuals to come up with self-powered solutionsHelp individuals focus on the present so he or she can move forwardProvides accountability on an agreed upon actionAccelerates the client's progress in recovery by providing greater focus and awareness of choices, activities, and responsibilities.

Recovery coaches often charge fees. During meetings, they let the individuals choose the focus of conversation, while the coach listens and contributes observations and questions for action.

Counselor: Treats Underlying Causes of Addiction

Professional counselors or therapists are a third support option for recovering individuals. Paid clinical resource people, counselors treat mental illness and emotional disorders.

Sometimes, it’s necessary for long-term sobriety for recovering individuals to take on the underlying issues that triggered the person’s addiction.

Issues like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder can be overwhelming. Counselors help clients resolve a recovering individual’s underlying causes and address his or her addiction issues.

Defeating substance abuse is a challenge. Often, recovering individuals realize they need more support to achieve success. Working with a sponsor and recovery coach can help.

Knowing which one is right for the recovering individual is the key.

from
https://www.theliferecoverycoach.com/single-post/2018/10/06/Sponsor-or-Recovery-Coach-Choosing-the-Right-Recovery-Partner