How I found ways to help myself when life was falling apart. — Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace. ~ Joan Borysenko As a parent of a child now in recovery, I remember the days when watching my child self-destruct was more than I could bear. …

So you and your child can have peace of mind. — The truth is that almost two-thirds of Americans have friends or family members who have struggled with addiction. Millions of people are in recovery. We live in your town, on your block, and in your home, but still many people don’t know that treatment works and that long-term recovery are…

So you and other family members can be a positive support. — I remember my worst fear being that my child, who had come so far, would have a relapse. I found that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to relapse. Relapse is unfortunately common and often a part of the recovery process. Generally, a relapse happens due to a trigger. …

How can we break away from walking on eggshells to feeling relaxed and finding inner peace? — It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson After dealing with their child’s substance use, parents feel relief when their child has chosen sobriety, although it can make family members, including…

When you are trying to help your child change. For us to feel compassion for our children, we can’t be running on empty. Feeling stressed or overwhelmed blocks us from developing an understanding of ourselves and our children. When we’re stressed out, we aren’t calm or peaceful. …

You can help them and be there when they need you most. — I wanted to help my child heal when she struggled with drugs or alcohol, yet how could I help her love herself so that she could heal? So many of our kids are concerned about their appearance, have social anxiety, a mental health issue such as bi poplar or ADHD…

What you can do about it to protect your teen. — Many of us experiment with alcohol during our teen years, myself included. For most, it’s a rite of passage and nothing more. We go on with our lives, and alcohol doesn’t become a problem. But for others, teen drinking can turn into an alcohol problem. Physicians in emergency rooms see…

So that it doesn’t overtake your life. — I have had times in my life when I was worried 24/7. I felt isolated and alone. Fear can be especially frightening when your son or daughter is struggling with addiction. I remember how scared I was, especially since I wasn’t sure what to do. Fear is usually just below…

How you can encourage yourself and your struggling child. — When I have faced problems in my life, I do what I can to keep hope alive. It helps me stay more positive and feel that I can find a solution. So what is hope? Charles Snyder explains, "Hope is a positive cognitive state based on a sense of successful…