Dealing with alcoholism is already challenging enough but it becomes even more so when you’re a parent. Maybe you started taking alcohol due to family stress and pressure or maybe you just wanted to blow off steam and relax. Perhaps you were just looking to have some fun. Regardless of the reason, you now can’t seem to get through a day without having several drinks.
You know it’s taking a toll on your life and you’re worried about the effect your drinking has on your family. It’s becoming impossible to hide the habit from your spouse/partner and you feel guilty about neglecting your parental responsibilities. It’s also becoming harder to concentrate on your work and you’re worried about losing your job. You can’t go on this way and you know things have to change.
You acknowledge you have a problem and you need help fixing it. You may have tried to quit drinking on your own but that didn’t last long. Much as you hate to admit it, you need help and the only way to beat this addiction is by going to alcohol rehab.
Fear Of Losing Your Children Can Keep You From Rehab
Thinking of going to rehab brings up a whole set of worries for parents. While you’d love to go to rehab and get sober, you also have children and are worried about what will happen to them if you were to go away for an extended period. Where would they stay and who’d take care of them? Checking yourself into rehab means you’ve admitted that you’ve got a problem with alcohol. Does that mean that you can lose custody of your children? Is it a sign that you’re a poor parent?
Here at Findlay Recovery Center, we understand your dilemma and what you’re going through. Our alcohol and drug rehab in Ohio has helped hundreds of parents just like you. The majority of them were worried about losing their children should they get admitted to rehab. For some of them, fear of losing their children had kept them away from seeking treatment. Some, however, admitted that that fear was what motivated them to go to rehab and clean up their act.
If you’re in this situation, understand that doing nothing won’t change things. Allowing addiction to take over your life and ruin your family does more damage than going to rehab ever will. These days several rehab facilities have treatment programs that are designed to help parents like you get the help they need without losing custody of their children. Some even have provisions to ensure that children are well taken care of as the parents undergo addiction treatment.
Additionally, should the courts get involved, showing your commitment to becoming sober could shift things in your favor because it shows you’ve accepted your problem and are taking steps to change for the better.
Talking to your Children about Going to Rehab
You may think that your kids will think less of you once you tell them you’re going into rehab but that’s not true. It takes strength to admit having a problem and seeing you fix it will give them hope that things are going to get better for the family.
Before heading for rehab, you’ll need to talk to your children and let them know what to expect. Start by familiarizing yourself with alcoholism and the rehab treatment process. That will give you the confidence to answer any question your children may have. Pick a suitable time to bring up the topic and be as honest and open as you can. Acknowledge that you’re not well and this has caused problems for the family but also emphasize that you’re going to rehab to get better. Also explain what plans you have for them i.e. who’ll stay with them and take care of them when you’re gone, that is if you’re going into a residential treatment program.
Child Care Options for Parents Getting Admitted to an Alcohol Rehab
Careful planning beforehand can make your transition to rehab a smooth one for you and your children. As mentioned earlier, some rehab facilities will provide several care options for your children as you undergo treatment. This includes:
Providing accommodation for the children.
Depending on the facility, some will allow parents, especially single parents, to bring children to the facility with them. Others provide daycare services for children as parents attend treatment sessions. Talk to the rehab beforehand and see what options they have for parents like you who also have children to take care of.
Contacting extended family members to care for the children.
Your rehab facility may have case workers who can help you get in touch with some of your family members to help take care of your children. This is a great option, especially if you are a single parent or if your spouse or partner can’t care for the children. The temporary caretaker could be the children’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, or even a close family friend. Knowing that your children are in a safe and stable place gives you the peace of mind needed to concentrate on your treatment and recovery.
Providing outpatient treatment programs for parents.
Alternatively, you may find that an outpatient addiction treatment program works better for you. Not everyone struggling with alcohol addiction needs to go into residential care. Your addiction may be mild enough to allow you to remain at home while attending therapy and treatment sessions a few hours a day on certain days of the week. This will give you the flexibility to still maintain your parental responsibilities while getting treatment.
Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
Don’t let the fear of losing your children keep you from getting the treatment you need to change your life. We at Findlay Recovery Center offer different alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs that parents can take advantage of. Contact us today and let’s help you get started on living a sober, fulfilling life.
