Failure To Launch Syndrome & Addiction

Most kids complete high school and maybe all or some of the college years and then go off and live on their own. However, some do not and what you and your child may be dealing with is failure to launch syndrome and addiction. You may have a lot of questions and are looking for what signs to be on the lookout for, steps you can take as a parent to help, and treatment options. The following information will help you gain more knowledge on the topic and offer solutions to help you both move forward.

What Is Failure to Launch Syndrome

Failure to launch syndrome is the inability to move through the transition into adulthood, and will usually unfold post-high school during the college years. You may notice that your child appears stuck in a childlike state, during the pre-adult stage. The challenge is that you’ll discover that he or she can’t or is not able to move towards greater independence and self-realization. Your child will likely have trouble becoming self-sufficient and it’ll be hard to take on adult responsibilities.

Signs of Failure to Launch Syndrome

There are several signs to be on the lookout for as you try to determine if your child is experiencing failure to launch syndrome. For instance, they may have a poor work ethic and low levels of motivation. You may also notice they have a low distress tolerance and display high expectations of others without reciprocating. Your child might have a lack of vision for the future and you might notice that there’s a failure to take responsibility. They’ll likely have a lack of skills needed for adulthood such as cooking and cleaning and they might tend to show signs of narcissism.

Correlation Between Failure to Launch and Addiction

You may also come to notice there’s a link between failure to launch in young adults and addiction. Some find the challenges of transitioning into adulthood too difficult and fail to bridge the gap. Your child may turn to drugs or alcohol and drop out of college to avoid having to face adulthood head-on. The two often go hand-in-hand but the good news is that there are ways to help and treatment options available.

Steps You Can Take to Help as a Parent

Although failure to launch can be hard on you and your child, there are steps you can take to help as a parent. What you want to avoid is enabling your child and going too far with how much help you offer. There are a few signs of enabling you should be on the lookout for such as taking responsibility for their life either financially or through the decisions you make for them. You may also notice your child doesn’t start to respect you until they need something. Remind yourself that you’re the parent and you have the right to say no. Keep the lines of communication open, practice your own self-care, express clear expectations, and set boundaries.

How and Where to Get Help

Addiction treatment for young adults must address failure to launch as well as issues that accompany it like emotional regulation and goal setting. Peaks Recovery Centers can and are here to help. Head to our website to check out the services we provide and review the admission process