STAGE 5: Interventions, treatments, uncertainty

Stage 5 –Interventions, treatments, uncertainty

Once parents decide on a course of action the reality of complexities affecting treatment outcomes begins to unfold. Whether the presenting issue seems focused on mental health, drug and alcohol, behaviour or family violence (or often some combination of the 4), the common thread can be the question around how did we get here and will things ever be the way they were?

After all it all didn’t it start with once upon a time with love?

That is what makes it so difficult- the grief over what can feel like love that’s been eclipsed or lost from your relationship.

Once the counselling, case management or other kinds of intervention starts, a cycle of progress followed by setbacks is common.

The uncertainty around ever finding a “best approach” to support can lead to extreme frustration or hopelessness. Walking an adolescent through treatment and recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s common for parents to go down one support path with their teenager which seems to help for a while, only to find that the situation changes.

This is where a parent’s own resources, support, and self-care make a massive difference (See putting your own oxygen mask on first).

It doesn’t work to wait and see how your teen’s journey evolves before you reach out for assistance with managing your own stress. This stage of the journey can ask a lot of us as parents, as a couple, and as a family.

Below is an article which can help with your perspective, and be sure to look at other resources on the parent support program page.

Are You Tired of Your Troubled Teen? Self-care is important for any parent: