Watching your loved one battle with addiction can be heartbreaking, especially when this special person happens to be your mother. Possibly, for the first time in your life, you are called to be the caregiver to the person who once looked after all of your needs. It\’s not that you are against stepping up to the plate, but the sight of your mother\’s life going downhill can be brutal to your personal well-being. And, with everything else going on in your life, this can be too much for you to handle on your own, and there is no shame in admitting that.
Fortunately for you, you are not in this alone. Your mother\’s road to recovery can be made so much easier with the help of the rehabilitation center of your choice. Whether she knows it or not, she needs you now more than ever, and it is up to you to bring hope into her life. Here are a few guiding tips to help you convince your mom to make the right move toward lasting recovery.
Avoid Leading With Judgement
If you have never experienced addiction yourself, you might not understand why anyone would choose such a life for themselves. And, without you even realizing it, you could come off as judgemental or condescending when the subject comes up. Though you mean well, this is the quickest way to get your mom to reject the heartfelt advice that\’s being offered to her.
Your best bet is to catch her while she is sober so that you will be more likely to get a rational response. Explain that you are deeply hurt by the direction in which her life is heading and how you fear for her well-being. Appealing to her emotions is a smart way to go as parents are naturally inclined to protect their children from any and all hurt. Speak with conviction to avoid being swayed by dramatic reactions, but be careful not to come off as overly critical. The goal is to reassure her that you are on her side and are willing to do whatever it takes to see her through the recovery process.
Get Others Involved
This golden step just might be the very thing that convinces her to finally get the help she needs, but, if you aren\’t careful, it could also make matters much worse. There is a lot of shame that comes with addiction, which is why many people keep this area of their lives a secret. Even if your mother\’s addiction is a well-known fact, she probably still wouldn\’t appreciate you discussing such a personal subject with distant family members or former acquaintances.
To be successful on this mission, reach out to those closest to her and assemble a solid support group. First, ask that each person show their concern and share words of encouragement with her individually. If this doesn\’t seem to work, plan a group event so that everyone will get to speak with her at once. Once your mother sees that she is surrounded by people who genuinely love and want the best for her, she might finally decide to take that big leap.
Invite Her Along
Asking your mom to temporarily leave her home and life as she knows it to enter a facility of strangers is no small thing. While a better life lies behind those recovery center doors, it might be difficult for her to realize this right away. This is why it is best to give her a preview of what\’s in store so that she won\’t allow fear to block her sobriety.
Research a few rehabilitation centers that look to be a good fit, and set out to visit all of them. Give her the opportunity to understand their true purpose and chat with facilitators to gain a greater sense of familiarity. Take note of any likes or dislikes mentioned so that you will be able to make the right pick when that pivotal moment comes.
The ties of addiction can be stronger than you might ever be able to comprehend, but don\’t lose hope just yet. You can find the help your mother needs with just one quick phone call. Reach out to us today at 833-820-2922 to see how we can be of service to your family.