Table 3 Main results of the study
From: Experiences of parents of substance-abusing young people attending support groups
Discovery of the drug use | Parents’ knowledge about drugs/communication | Sources of information and support | Feelings of stress | Joining the support group and coping strategies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Informed by a third party (police or hospital) | Very limited knowledge before joining the support group. | 1. GP | Worried and anxious | Information about addiction and treatment |
2. Informed by the abuser | No opinion or view on substance abuse before the discovery of the drug abuse of their son or daughter. | Con: underestimation of the problem, inadequately referred them to specialist help, not well- informed about drugs | Low and depressed | Boost their morale |
3. Parents themselves | No open communication about drugs and other difficult themes. | 2. Specialized organizations | Uncertainty | Support, understanding of their needs |
| Â | Â | Con: confidentiality hinders follow-up of substance abusing child | Family functioning threatened | Learning to distance themselves from the problematic situation |
| Â | Â | Pro: advice to participate in support group | Married parents: strain on their relationship | Overcome their feelings of guilt, shame and failure |
| Â | Â | 3. Support group | Parents with more than one child: disturbed relationship with brother/sister of drug abusing child | Learn to deal with risks and fears |
| Â | Â | Â | Helpless and despairing | Coping strategies: |
| Â | Â | Â | Self-image and self-confidence undermined | - Important to introduce some distance, physically, emotionally or both |
| Â | Â | Â | Victim of aggressiveness, verbal abuse, threats | - Important to learn to live with the anxiety and fear |
| Â | Â | Â | Feeling guilty | Â |
| Â | Â | Â | Disagreement about handling the situation between parents | Â |
| Â | Â | Â | Being victim of physical violence | Â |