No matter the child’s age, when a parent faces the reality that their child struggles with a drug or alcohol addiction, they experience many complex emotions. The parents of an addict might blame themselves or each other, although this is seldom the truth.
While a person struggling with alcohol or drug addiction needs rehab and a stable support system, the same is true for the parents of the addict. The parents must find the support they need to help them understand addiction and provide them with ways that they can support their children as they deal with addiction.
Benefits of Support Groups for Parents of Addicts
Most parents with children who struggle with addiction experience guilty and self-recriminations for their children’s addiction. It can be challenging for them to know how to react and the support to provide for their child. A support group for parents of addicts can help them voice their concerns and realize that they aren’t alone.
A support group can help the parents of people with substance use disorders process their emotions and insecurities concerning their child’s addiction. These parents find a support network of their own and find new ways to help their children more productively.
Al-Anon
As a worldwide organization, Al-Anon is one the most easily recognized names of support groups for family and friends of addicts to find support and a place to express their concerns. All the meetings are anonymous, but it’s usually only for family members or friends of people who struggle with alcoholism.
Al-Anon meetings occur in many cities and towns worldwide, making it easy for parents of addicts to find a local meeting. The website provides an easy way to connect with local meetings and other tools for friends and family members.
Nar-Anon
Nar-Anon is a 12-step program that follows an ethos similar to that of Al-Anon. It’s a Christian or religious-based organization that holds regular meetings throughout the United States and beyond. This support differs from Al-Anon because it’s designed specifically for friends and family members of people struggling with drug addiction.
These meetings provide support and program to help family members and friends deal with the emotions and stress that arise from having a person who struggles with drug addiction in their life. It helps them develop the tools they need to cope with the situation.
SMART Recovery Family & Friends
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) is a viable alternative for secular family members and friends who don’t want to participate in faith-based groups, such as Al-Anon. This program examines the scientific roots of addiction and ways that family members can help a person live a sober life.
Using non-confrontational methods, this program helps parents understand their loved one’s addiction and how they can help their children. There are meetings in many cities, and they hold meetings several times a week for parents to attend to their schedule.
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones
“People helping people through the woods” is the motto of Parents of Addicted Loved Ones. This is a faith-based program that operates as a non-profit. Parents can find meetings in many larger cities, and the program usually only meets once a week.
This program is geared toward parents of adult children who struggle with addiction to drugs or alcohol. Parents find a combination of others sharing their personal stories with coping mechanisms and educational material to deal with a child who struggles with addiction.
GRASP
Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP) is a program and community to help parents and other loved ones cope and move forward after the death of a person struggling with addiction. A child dying before a parent isn’t part of the natural order, and when drugs and addiction are involved, the parents need additional support.
The community provides support and education for parents after the passing of a child due to addiction. GRASP’s presence is primarily online, with a wealth of educational information and detailed ways to deal with a child’s death.
Families Anonymous
Like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, Families Anonymous works as a 12-step program to help family members of people struggling with addiction. This group also works with family members who have a loved one dealing with behavior issues related to substance abuse disorder.
This is a faith-based program that helps families of addicts work together to provide support to each other and also a place to share their stories and challenges. The goal is to help each person see that they aren’t the only family struggling with a loved one with an addiction.
NAMI Family Support Group
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a support group that offers help and support to families that struggle with a mental health disorder. Although the support isn’t geared specifically toward families with children who struggle with addiction, substance abuse disorder is considered a mental health issue, and many people who struggle with addiction receive a dual diagnosis. They offer resources on various topics for families to support their loved ones.
Find Help and Support at Healthy Life Recovery
Finding support as parents of addicts can be challenging. However, parents do not need to struggle alone with a proper support group. Support groups can advise, help with boundary-setting, and provide comradery with like-minded individuals.
If you are a parent of an addicted loved one, reach out to Healthy Life Recovery today. Our team can help answer any questions you may have and give you a better understanding of our treatment services. Healthy Life can also provide resources for parents, including help with an intervention.
