Failure-to-Launch Syndrome and Addiction

Many young adults today seem to have difficulty leaving home and beginning an independent life. In fact, there’s even a term for it: failure-to-launch syndrome. In general, young adults with failure to launch have difficulty setting and achieving goals and often fear taking chances. The result: They find themselves back home, failing to complete education or find or keep a job.

Other signs of failure-to-launch syndrome include:

  • Lack of motivation and purpose in life
  • Poor decision-making skills
  • Poor self-care habits
  • Lack of meaningful relationships
  • Poor work ethic and inability to meet deadlines
  • Lack of vision for the future
  • Unwillingness to face responsibilities, such as paying bills, maintaining an apartment or home or managing chores
  • Inability to deal with frustration, conflict or stressful situations

Failure-to-Launch Syndrome and Co-Occurring DisordersFailure to launch can cause tremendous frustration and hopelessness and it can shatter your self-confidence. As a result, many young adults with failure-to-launch syndrome engage in self-destructive behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse. What’s more, failure to launch has been linked to numerous mental health disorders, including:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Eating disorders
  • Gaming or Internet Addiction
  • Learning/attention problems
  • Mood disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Substance use disorders

These mental health problems can worse the symptoms of failure to launch and further prevent these young adults from coping with normal life changes and reaching their full potential as adults.

Getting Help for Failure-to-Launch Syndrome and Substance AbuseAddiction treatment for young adults must address failure to launch and the issues that often accompany it, including entitlement, enabling loved ones, emotional regulation, life skills training, goal setting and educational and employment assistance. Our addiction treatment for young adults can provide the accountability, mentoring and support you or someone you love needs to transition from addiction into adulthood, independence and recovery. To learn more about our program, call today: 303-586-6708.

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