I used to believe that if I just loved him enough, he’d stop. That if we found the right therapist, the right school, the right set of friends—he’d come back to us.
But love doesn’t always look like progress. And progress doesn’t always look like healing.
The day my 20-year-old son walked out of his third detox, I remember the sinking realization: I might not get him back. Not the way I knew him. Not unless something actually changed.
What followed was one of the darkest seasons of our life. And then—something unexpected. A program that didn’t just get him clean, but gave us both a reason to believe again.
This is what I want every parent to know about finding an opiate detox program that actually works.
The Pain of Watching Your Child Disappear
No one prepares you for the grief of having a living child who feels lost to you. They’re still breathing. They’re still calling you (sometimes). But they’re not the same.
I watched my son go from funny and curious to guarded and hollow. Sometimes angry. Sometimes eerily calm. I kept reaching for him, and it felt like grabbing smoke.
We had tried everything that made sense. Outpatient treatment. Counseling. Even residential. But he’d come home and eventually go back to using. We were always just one missed call away from panic.
After that third detox stay, I said out loud to my husband, “Maybe this is just who he is now.”
But part of me didn’t believe it. Or didn’t want to believe it.
Why Most Detox Programs Didn’t Help (And Why That’s Not Your Fault)
We learned the hard way that not all opiate detox programs are the same.
Some rushed him through in three days with barely a check-in after. Others treated him like a statistic. No real understanding of what it meant to be 20 and using, terrified and defensive, and already burned out on help that felt hollow.
He’d come home physically clean, but emotionally raw—and unsupported. No plan. No follow-up. No care for us, the family trying desperately not to collapse.
What we needed wasn’t just a place for him to stop using. We needed a place where he could start living.
What Changed at Ascend New Mexico
A friend of mine—whose daughter had been through the same rollercoaster—mentioned Ascend. I almost didn’t call. Another program felt like another heartbreak.
But something about the way they spoke to us was different. Not scripted. Not rushed. Just… honest.
Here’s what stood out right away:
- Their opiate detox program wasn’t isolated. It was connected to real next steps—therapy, group work, even family support.
- They treated him like a whole person, not a broken problem.
- We had a voice in the process. They asked us what we’d seen. What we were scared of. What we hoped for.
When he arrived, they didn’t push. They welcomed.
They didn’t talk over him. They listened.
And slowly—so slowly—I saw a flicker of my son again.
The Moment That Changed Everything
A few days in, I got a text.
“Mom, I think I want to try their full program. Will you help me figure out insurance stuff?”
That was it. Not a grand declaration. Not a total transformation. Just a crack of willingness.
That tiny shift was all we needed.
They helped him stay through detox—and transition into care that actually made sense for him. Not a one-size-fits-all plan. Something human. Something that met him where he was.
What Real Support Looks Like for Families
One of the biggest differences with Ascend Recovery Center New Mexico wasn’t just how they treated him—it was how they treated us.
I can’t tell you how many programs left me out of the loop. Or worse, made me feel like the reason he was using. Ascend did neither.
They gave us updates. They offered resources. They never blamed. Ever.
I finally felt like I wasn’t crazy for loving my son so fiercely—and I wasn’t alone in trying to get him help.
They reminded me that love doesn’t have to mean control—and that boundaries can coexist with belief.
The Hope I Didn’t Know I Still Had
It’s been a year.
We’ve had hard days. But we’ve also had real conversations, sober holidays, and even—miraculously—laughs that felt like they used to.
I won’t pretend that everything’s perfect now. But I’m not waiting for the call anymore. I’m living alongside my son again. Watching him rebuild.
And I believe now, without hesitation: the right opiate detox program can make the difference between surviving and actually healing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Opiate Detox
How long does opiate detox take?
Most detox programs last between 5–10 days, depending on the severity of the use and any co-occurring conditions. At Ascend, detox is medically monitored and connected directly to ongoing care so that no one leaves without a plan.
What happens after detox?
That’s the part that really matters. Detox is just the start. At Ascend New Mexico, clients are guided into appropriate next steps—whether it’s residential treatment, outpatient programs, or therapy—based on who they are, not just what they used.
Will my child be safe during detox?
Yes. Opiate detox at Ascend is medically supervised with safety as the top priority. Clients are monitored by trained staff to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.
What if my child doesn’t want help?
Ascend works with families all the time where the person using is unsure—or even resistant. Their approach is non-coercive, rooted in trust, and built to gently invite people into their own healing process.
How can I support my child during detox?
You don’t have to fix it all. Just stay connected, open, and willing to learn alongside them. Ascend offers family education and support so you can set boundaries without shutting the door.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If your child is struggling and you’re not sure where to turn, call Ascend New Mexico at (888) 569-2190. Their opiate detox program helped our family when nothing else did. It’s never too late—and you are not alone in this.
