The following is a copy of a Contractual outline you may use, in part, or in its entirety in addressing your child’s substance use. Each parental Contract with their child is formulated based on the unique considerations that apply to your case that is designed to stop their drug use.
The foregoing Contract defining our Recovery expectations for you and ourselves is designed to insure our Recovery foremost, and yours. The premise of our Recovery is based on our knowledge that you cannot Recover from your substance addiction if we do not Recover from our enabling and co-depending. Our commitment ot you is not to act in any way that would enable you in your addiction.
We know that you cannot be healthy if we are not healthy. We realize that we cannot let you impose any part of your disease of addiction on us in any way. It is impossible not to do if we are in any way facilitating your disease by tolerating your use in any form in relation to ourselves and our family.
We did not bring you into this world to have you contaminate our lives, and yours, with your addiction. We are entitled to serenity and peace in our life, not the unceasing worry and anxiety that we have been living in every moment, day and night; worrying about your well being, your safety, the danger that you are in, and your life, literally. We are entitled to a life of our own free from this type of agonizing preoccupation.. When we are asleep, we are not asleep. When we are at a movie, we are not at a movie. We do not have a life because of the toxic effect, and unrelenting dread that preoccupies us every moment of our life as a result of your substance use. The pain of your active addiction has become more that we can bear.
The foregoing Contract is Non Negotiable:
1) “Zero” tolerance of any mind altering substance use, which includes alcohol, or drug substances.
2) Full compliance with all aspects, and without exception, of your rehabilitation Treatment, in-residence, or our patient.
3) Any failure to follow any of the rules of treatment, if in-residence, will result in your setback, in whatever phase of the program you are in at that time, for a minimal period of one week.
4) There can be no secrets within this family, or with the people treating you in your rehabilitation program, regarding any aspect of your substance use. Emotional honesty in all things, at all times, is an absolute!
5) Identification of, and avoidance of all people, social situations- places and things associated with your substance use are to be completely avoided.
6) You will be required to identify people that you have used with, the places you have used, and any other situation that you have been involved in that has involved substance use, however indirect.
7) Open access to academic records, bank accounts, and all records that involve joint responsibility with us.
8) Identification of the triggers that prompt your obsession, compulsions, and cravings to use substances.
9) Once you have successfully completed your primary, in-residence rehabilitation program, however long that takes, you will be required to:
a) Step down in your treatment to a six-month halfway house or Sober Living facility, which is to be followed by,
b) Six months of independent living that is designed to demonstrate your ability to live and function without the use of alcohol or drugs in the Recovering Community you have lived in while going through your Sober Living/Halfway House program.
10) You will be required to work or go to school during your Halfway House/Sober Living/Independent Living placements, if it is considered timely and an appropriate part of your Recovery by your treatment staff.
11) You will be required to attend five AA/NA meetings weekly during your Sober Living/Halfway House/Independent Living experience and with Sponsorship that your treatment staff approves of.
12) You will be required to take weekly drug screens, three times per week, or as frequently as we designate. The results of those screens to be forwarded to us or those that we designate.
Your adherence to the standards for Recovery, as set forth, is the basis for our material support of all things in your life.
We are here to fully support you in your Recovery. We want you to fully support us in our Recovery. Again, we know that our Recovery is essential to your success in obtaining your sobriety, and keeping it.
We Love you profoundly and with all our heart! We are now committed to Loving you in a healthy manner. We are not going to Love You to Death, or into mental institutions, or into jails!