How Do I Support My Adult Child Who Struggles With Addiction?

“I run a recovery group that consists mostly of parents with grown adult children who struggle with addiction. What are some principles and tools you can suggest to help them know how to support their children best? How do they have conversations with their children about their addiction that would be healthy and helpful? How can they show concern for their children and genuinely ask how they are doing without causing defensiveness that they are “checking on” their children? Are the principles of holding and expressing boundaries different with this relationship dynamic? They particularly struggle with blaming themselves, and they see where they may have had a role in making mistakes as a parent that may have led to their child’s addiction. What truths do they need to know to get out of blaming themselves while acknowledging hard truths?”