The First Step… Getting Help
Back to the document's frontpageWhen speaking with parents who have enrolled their children in a residential rehab program for drug or alcohol abuse, you invariably encounter a great deal of personal pain, sadness, frustration and anger; but you also hear of guilt and regret.
Most parents regret having allowed a situation to get so desperate before being forced into action, and most would recommend needed action and intervention sooner rather than later.
The truth is that if your son or daughter is using or abusing drugs and alcohol, the problem is not likely to go away on its own; and if you continue to witness abuse behaviors despite your best efforts to intervene, it's time to consider whether professional outside help may be required. Intervention at an earlier stage in the abuse and addiction makes the eventual treatment easier and improves the odds of recovery; and since research indicates that addicts do not need to be willing or motivated participants at the time of entry to a rehab facility to benefit from the program, waiting for your son or daughter to agree to needed treatment is not necessary for success.
