Inpatient Family Rehab For Mothers and Children

This treatment for the kids is crucial since children in homes where an adult abuses alcohol or drugs are more likely to experience:²

• Emotional and behavioral problems
• Low self-esteem
• Higher risk of abuse
• Higher risk of anxiety or depression
• Earlier experimentation with alcohol or drugs
• Poor school performance

Other benefits of inpatient family rehab include:

• Improved family relationships
• Improved mental health
• Improved parenting skills
• Safe housing for the parent and children
• Structured programs for both parents and children
• Identification and treatment of mental health disorders in children (depression, anxiety, ADHD)
• Reduced risk of relapse
• Less likelihood of children being placed in foster care
• Fewer day-to-day distractions, so parents can focus on recovery and their relationship with their children

Treatment for Mothers

During inpatient family-based rehab, mothers may receive one or more of these services.

• Life skills classes – This training teaches social and behavioral skills that allow you to deal successfully with everyday life situations and challenges.
• Detox – During this initial phase of recovery, your body is cleansed of all addictive substances. You may receive medical treatment during this time to treat withdrawal symptoms.
• Substance use and mental health counseling – Therapies often applied during substance use treatment include:
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy – This method helps you manage substance use triggers to avoid relapse.
• Motivational interviewing – This helps increase your motivation to complete treatment and make life changes.
• Multidimensional family therapy – This addresses family issues affected by addiction and helps improve family relationships.
• Child development education – You’ll learn about what to expect as your child learns and grows.
• Parenting classes – These classes teach you how to handle parenting in healthy ways.
• Anger management classes – In these classes, you learn calming techniques and how to keep your emotions in check so you can express anger in healthy ways.
• Employment readiness education – You’ll receive training that will help you obtain and keep employment so you can provide for yourself and your children.

Treatment for Children

Children may participate in one or more of the following programs during family rehab.

• Art therapy – Children are given the opportunity to express themselves and their emotions and struggles through art projects.
• Recreation – Playing can help children release stress and learn new skills.
• Journaling – Writing often helps children process the challenges of having a parent with an addiction.
• Storytelling – Therapists may use a storytelling method to help children work through their questions, challenges, fears, and other emotions.
• Roleplaying – During role-play, children act out scenarios, which reveals how they view their environment and relationships. Examples of scenarios include going to the store, talking to a teacher, and visiting the doctor.
• Summer camp programs – These programs provide supervision and guided activities for children while their parent attends treatment.
• Educational programs – Children may attend school or other learning-based programs to further their education.
• Extracurricular activities – In addition to therapeutic programs, children may participate in activities that encourage fun, play, and exploring hobbies and interests.
• 12-step programs – Where appropriate, children may participate in 12-step programs designed for youth.