Sober Parenting: How Richmond Families Can Support Recovery at Home

If an individual is struggling with an addiction, it is always recommended that they enter some form of rehabilitative care as soon as they are able to.

This is because of the adverse health effects – both physical and mental – that can affect an individual should the addiction be long-term.

One option for parents or those with dependents is to commit to Sober Parenting (a form of Sober Living) which refers to the continued residence at an individual’s home while undergoing different variations of rehabilitation.

This method of addiction treatment is not suitable for everyone struggling with addiction, however, as it does not provide the support and around-the-clock care that many individuals may require, especially if they are struggling with an addiction to substances such as alcohol or heroin.

In these cases, individuals should consider alternative forms of rehabilitation such as a specialised alcohol home detox or inpatient treatment within a dedicated rehab centre.

The focus of this post, however, is how individuals can partake in Sober Parenting in a safe, monitored, and effective manner.

Why Should Individuals Consider Sober Parenting?

Addiction is a disorder that can affect any individual, no matter their lifestyle choices, background, or other factors.

In some cases, individuals who have children or someone who is dependent on them may find themselves struggling with addiction, and this is where Sober Parenting may be a necessary option due to the continued need to be at home and caring for others.

Though much of the research into this area of addiction is often specifically focussed on mothers and women taking care of their children (1), there is a growing need in the modern world for both parents of all genders to step up and take care of children while undergoing rehabilitation – especially if there is no other person in the household who could take on this responsibility.

1. The importance of physical health

When an individual begins their rehabilitation journey, there are a number of different factors that may influence their overall recovery.

For example, through Sober Parenting and Sober Living, the primary focus is on an individual’s physical health and the treatment of withdrawal symptoms as the individual works toward an addiction-free lifestyle.

Having good physical health is vital for parenting, as can quickly become an impossible task if one or both parents fall ill – often leading to a lacking in the care of young children and their needs.

By continuing to reside at home while undergoing a home recovery programme, individuals will focus on their physical health, but they may also be distracted by the everyday tasks at hand and may need to consider additional options.

2. The importance of mental health

As with physical health, an individual’s mental health is essential in the care of young people. Often, young people are vulnerable to the influence of their carers’ emotions, leading to difficulties in care and overall upbringing.

For example, if a parent is addicted to a substance and begins to struggle with additional mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, this may massively impact their motivation to engage in everyday tasks, including the care of dependents.

When partaking in Sober Parenting, individuals are assigned some form of support – either in person or through regular video calls, for example – in order to focus on their mental health and how their addiction may have impacted this.

However, in some instances individuals may be required to attend outpatient care, often in their local area, but still requiring regular time away from home in order to effectively attend these treatment sessions.

This is another important factor to contemplate when taking Sober Parenting into consideration due to the implications of needing additional external support.

Recovering from Addiction at Home – Who is It Suitable for?

As mentioned in the introduction, Sober Parenting is not suitable for every individual due to the decreased support and care that an individual will receive due to the implications of being at home and not in a supported or dedicated environment.

In general, individuals who do not experience withdrawal symptoms when transitioning away from the substance that they are addicted to are more suitable for home recovery programmes.

However, any individual struggling with a serious long-term addiction in which they regularly consume large quantities of a substance are not suitable for Sober Parenting due to the risks to their health that they will face during withdrawal.

The Risks and Dangers of Recovering at Home

Any withdrawal process from substances can come with risks due to the different ways that these substances affect the body and its everyday functioning.

Although many individuals have commitments outside of rehabilitation, it is a process that requires a strong commitment to recovery and a good attitude throughout. When recovering at home with additional commitments on top of this, the rehabilitation process is likely to be far less efficient, effective, and may lead to a higher risk of relapse in the future (short and long-term).

The following subheadings briefly outline some of the key risks and dangers that an individual may experience when recovering at home during a Sober Parenting recovery programme.

1. Withdrawal symptoms

As mentioned throughout this article, withdrawal symptoms are the main reason why many individuals should not attempt to recover at home and without professional support.

Withdrawal symptoms can vary in severity and their overall effect on an individual, from mild discomfort to life-threatening consequences.

This will depend on the type of substance(s) that the individual is addicted to, the history of their addiction, and any pre-existing health conditions that may affect this.

2. Unsuitable home environments

In some cases, an individual’s home may not be a suitable environment in which a person can safely recover.

This can be a for a number of reasons such as the presence of other individuals who may also be struggling with addiction, a lack of support for recovery, or a triggering environment in which the individual may have first developed their addiction.

This is something that will be assessed before an individual begins any form of rehabilitation.

Supporting a Loved One Or Family Member Through Recovery at Home

In the cases where an individual may be suitable for a Sober Parenting programme and rehabilitation at home, there are many steps that friends and family can take to support these individuals.

Some key supporting ideas are presented below:

• Be open and willing to discuss addiction – by opening conversations and being willing to participate in conversations about addiction, these individuals will feel far more comfortable about their situation, without judgment.
• Remove triggering environmental cues – this includes both physical reminders and topics of conversation, for example.
• No one has to do anything they don’t want to – in the cases of denial or when an individual is adamant that a particular course of action is not for them, then this should not be pushed further than the individual is willing to go. In emergencies or situations where the individual is believed to be at an additional risk, specialists or emergency services should be contacted.

Getting Approval for Home Recovery – Next Steps

Before any individual can partake in a Sober Parenting programme, they should first gain the approval of a medical professional and/or addiction specialist to ascertain their suitability for this type of care.

If the individual or those around them have any doubts about their health, wellbeing, or future of care, there are many services that are available to support all parties involved.

This includes local community-lead programmes, emergency services, doctors’ offices, and addiction referral services, for example, but there are many more ways that individuals can get support for addiction sooner rather than later.

References

[1] Tracy, L., 2018. Being a Sober Parent in a Wine Mom Culture. International New York Times, pp.NA-NA.