Does My Adult Child Need Rehab?
This article has been clinically reviewed by Dr. Sean Barlow.
Your kid is always your kid. It doesn’t matter if you are changing their diapers, getting them to school on time, watching them graduate from college, or simply keeping up with their posts on social media about their family adventures. Just because they are an adult, it doesn’t change anything. So, you can tell when something is off. Or at least you think you can. You think you might be seeing signs of addiction, but you are not sure. And you wouldn’t really know what to do.
What you see is the slow dimming of someone you remember being alive with laughter, intelligence, or some fierce will. Maybe you’ve tried to tell yourself they’re just figuring things out. But the dread remains. Is my adult child addicted?
Is My Adult Child Addicted?
It matters because substance use disorder doesn’t ask for your permission. It doesn’t care if your son or daughter has a great job or a good heart.
Addiction messes with the brain. It gets into the limbic system, pulling the strings behind mood, motivation, and survival instincts. So even when your adult child doesn’t “seem like the type,” it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease. It’s a deadly one too, so trust your instincts.
Signs Your Adult Son or Daughter Is Addicted
The signs aren’t always dramatic, but they are there.
You might see:
Unpredictable mood swings or emotional numbness
Repeated money issues with no clear explanation
Isolation from old friends or family
Neglect of hygiene or appearance
Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels
Defensive or vague responses to simple questions
What Do I Do If I Think My Adult Child Is Addicted?
First, breathe. Your reaction doesn’t have to be perfect. You’re not trying to fix it all today. But you are allowed to ask hard questions.
Addiction always tries to hide.
First, educate yourself on addictions and the disease of substance use disorder. It’s not about bad choices or moral failure. It’s about how certain substances take over the brain’s functions until the brain rewires itself to need the drug or alcohol.
And here’s where you come in. With calm, curious persistence, you can say what you see without rage or rescue. “I’ve noticed you’ve changed. I’m scared. I love you. Can we talk about this?”
How to Talk About It Without Pushing Them Away
It’s a tightrope, isn’t it? You want to say something, but you don’t want to push them further away. The key is tone and timing. Don’t ambush them when they’re high or in withdrawal.
Wait for a window—some moment where things are a little steadier. Then say your piece.
Stick with “I” statements. “I’m worried,” instead of “You’re screwing up.”
Curiosity over accusation. Calm over chaos. Compassion over control. You don’t have to be the therapist, the expert, or the fixer.
You only need to show up honestly.
And if you get pushback, take heart. Resistance doesn’t mean they’re unreachable. It means they’re scared. Shame is loud, and it often speaks first.
What About an Intervention?
Interventions are often portrayed as a dramatic TV moment, full of tearful ultimatums and suitcases packed by the door. But in reality, a well-done intervention is more strategy than a big, dramatic event. It involves preparation, guidance, and sometimes a professional interventionist who can help.
When is it necessary? When denial runs deep. When your adult son or daughter is addicted and refuses to acknowledge it. When their life, or someone else’s, is at real risk.
Interventions work best when they’re structured around care and boundaries, not punishment.
And yes, boundaries matter. You can’t heal someone who doesn’t want it. But you can create an environment where truth and consequences finally break through.
What If They Don’t Have Insurance?
Many families stall here, unsure if they can even afford help. But if your adult child is under 26, you may be able to keep them on your insurance plan. It’s worth calling your provider and asking exactly what’s covered when it comes to behavioral health or substance use disorder.
And even without insurance, there are options. Most rehabs offer cash-pay programs, scholarships, or payment plans.
The important thing is to not let finances be the reason you stop the conversation.
Why SolutionPoint in Palm Springs Might Be the Right Call
You want a place where they won’t be treated like a case file. You want care that’s smart, medically sound, and human. SolutionPoint is Located in Southern California’s Palm Springs area. We offer structured treatment with a focus on dignity, evidence-based therapies, and the kind of staff that know how to sit with someone’s pain without rushing to fix it.
We Are All Private Room Treatment and Dog Friendly
Private rooms allow for peace and dignity. Pet-friendly policies make it easier for those who need their animals to feel safe. And from a treatment perspective, SolutionPoint offers support from detox through recovery, with clinical staff who understand that no one changes until they feel safe enough to risk being honest.
A Few Things That Help, Even Now
Even if your adult son or daughter is addicted and not ready for treatment, you still have power. Not control—but influence. And sometimes, a gentle shift in posture can open the door for something more.
Here are a few things that can help:
Learn everything you can about addiction as a brain-based disease
Set boundaries that are clear, consistent, and calm
Offer treatment options without pressure, just readiness
Don’t enable—but don’t cut off love
Get support for yourself, whether that’s therapy, Al-Anon, or other families who get it
If you’ve read this far, you already know this matters. And maybe you’re feeling both scared and stubborn enough to try again. SolutionPoint Behavioral Health in Palm Springs is here for that.
With medical expertise, a compassionate team, and treatment that fits real people’s lives, we’d love to help your adult child take the next step.
Call us at 833-773-3869.
This article has been clinically reviewed by Dr. Sean Barlow.