February 19, 2018

My Son’s Siblings Are Resentful of His Substance Use. What Can I Do to Unify Our Family?

Siblings may feel angry if they’re not getting the same level of support. The more you reach out to your children, the easier it is to unify your family.

February 15, 2018

What If My Spouse and I Don’t Agree on How to Handle Our Child’s Substance Use?

It’s hard enough when your child is using substances, but what should be done when you and your spouse don’t agree on how to handle the drug or alcohol use?

February 12, 2018

What If My Child Isn’t Motivated to Get Treatment for Addiction?

If your son or daughter is using drugs or alcohol, but doesn’t want to get formal treatment for addiction, there are still steps you can take to help him or her.

February 12, 2018

I Never Thought My Child Would Hurt Me. How Can They Behave Like This?

The hurt you feel and is understandable and valid. But, remember, your child does not want to feel the pain they feel nor do they want to cause you pain.

February 7, 2018

Am I Enabling My Child By Helping Them?

If your son or daughter is using drugs or alcohol, you may have been told that you are “enabling” them. This video shows another way to help your child.

February 6, 2018

Love Alone Can’t Treat Addiction, But It Can Make a Big Difference

Find hope and inspiration from three young people in recovery. Their stories are a love letter to the parents who never gave up on them.

February 5, 2018

I’m a Grandparent — What Can I Do to Help My Family?

It can be difficult when your family is struggling and you feel limited in your ability to help. However, grandparents can play a vital role.

February 1, 2018

The Super Bowl Takes Courage, Perseverance and Teamwork. So Did Our Sons’ Recovery.

My family lives in New England and we are huge Patriots fans. I believe my sons, both in recovery, work as hard as professional football players do.

January 31, 2018

Understanding Why Kids Use Drugs and Alcohol

Here’s why it’s important for you to recognize why some kids are drawn to using drugs and alcohol and what you can do about it.

January 29, 2018

My Insurance Company Is Denying Coverage for my Kid’s Treatment. What should I do?

Insurance companies will opt for what the least restrictive level of care. If you think your child needs inpatient care, there are a few options.

January 24, 2018

When it Comes to Your Child’s Addiction, Leave the Past in the Past

When my son was struggling with drug use, I kept score of his past mistakes. But I realized that we both needed to move forward and listen to create change.

January 22, 2018

What’s the Difference Between a Slip or Lapse and a Relapse?

If your child has a slip or a relapse, it doesn’t mean that previous time spent in recovery is wasted. The main thing is for them to keep moving forward.

January 19, 2018

The Powerful Impact of Family Therapy on Addiction

Family therapy or counseling is highly successful when treating a teen or young adult with a substance use disorder as it strengthens the family system.

January 15, 2018

What Can I Do to Help Deal With Feelings of Anger Towards My Daughter?

You are facing a negative situation and your feelings are understandable. Managing your emotions is crucial to moving forward in a positive way.

January 8, 2018

People Say I Should Throw My Child Out But This Doesn’t Feel Right. What Should I Do?

Unless you feel unsafe, you wouldn’t throw someone out of the house if they had another illness. Expressing support keeps the door open for conversation.

How to Have a Conversation not a Confrontation

January 3, 2018

A New Year and A New Chance to Get Your Child Help for Addiction

A brand-new year can be a great time to start fresh. Try these tips to develop a plan to approach your child about his drug use, addiction and treatment.

January 1, 2018

I Think My Child Needs Treatment. Where Should I Start?

The Partnership provides lots of guidance for Navigating the Treatment System, Understanding Treatment Options and much more about finding SUD treatment.

#MeToo: #MeToo: How The Pain and Shame Can Lead to Substance Use

December 28, 2017

#MeToo: How the Pain and Shame of Sexual Abuse Can Lead to Substance Use

Countless young women who have experienced sexual abuse cope by using drugs and alcohol. It’s important to address trauma and substance use simultaneously.

December 26, 2017

I Support Other Parents With Their Child’s Addiction. Then My Own Son Needed Help.

Providing advice on addiction comes easy for me as a Parent Coach. But it was quite different when dealing with my own desire to “save” my son from himself.

December 25, 2017

Family Members Give Well-Meaning Advice But Are Not Always Helpful. How Do I Respond?

Take time to surround yourself with people who are empathetic and compassionate. Consider which family members or friends will be the best support for you.

Alice's son, as a child, now a victim of patient brokering

December 19, 2017

My Addicted Son is Caught in the Cycle of Patient Brokering

My son is a drug addict caught up in the vicious cycle of detox, treatment and relapsing perpetuated by the scheme of patient brokering. He’s still in it.

December 18, 2017

Why Do People Tell Me That Tough Love is the Only Way to Deal With My Kid?

The words ‘tough love’ can imply that anything nice you do for your child is ‘enabling’. But parents can be a powerful influence in motivating their child.

December 14, 2017

The Teen Vaping Trend – What Parents Need to Know

Vaping or JUULing is often shrugged off as ‘safer than cigarettes.’ But parents should be aware of the risks of teen vaping, and what they can do about it.

can you grieve someone when they're still alive

December 12, 2017

Can You Grieve Someone While They’re Still Alive?

There is no other word but grief when your child is lost in the haze of drug addiction. But your child is still there. There are paths to hope.

December 11, 2017

My Child Needs Treatment, But Refuses to Get Help. What Should I Do?

In most cases, your child cannot be forced into treatment. However, CRAFT is an approach family members can use to motivate behavior change in a loved one.

Where Families Find Answers on Substance Use | Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Parent Blog

My Son’s Siblings Are Resentful of His Substance Use. What Can I Do to Unify Our Family?

What If My Spouse and I Don’t Agree on How to Handle Our Child’s Substance Use?

What If My Child Isn’t Motivated to Get Treatment for Addiction?

I Never Thought My Child Would Hurt Me. How Can They Behave Like This?

Am I Enabling My Child By Helping Them?

Love Alone Can’t Treat Addiction, But It Can Make a Big Difference

I’m a Grandparent — What Can I Do to Help My Family?

The Super Bowl Takes Courage, Perseverance and Teamwork. So Did Our Sons’ Recovery.

Understanding Why Kids Use Drugs and Alcohol

My Insurance Company Is Denying Coverage for my Kid’s Treatment. What should I do?

When it Comes to Your Child’s Addiction, Leave the Past in the Past

What’s the Difference Between a Slip or Lapse and a Relapse?

The Powerful Impact of Family Therapy on Addiction

What Can I Do to Help Deal With Feelings of Anger Towards My Daughter?

People Say I Should Throw My Child Out But This Doesn’t Feel Right. What Should I Do?

A New Year and A New Chance to Get Your Child Help for Addiction

I Think My Child Needs Treatment. Where Should I Start?

#MeToo: How the Pain and Shame of Sexual Abuse Can Lead to Substance Use

I Support Other Parents With Their Child’s Addiction. Then My Own Son Needed Help.

Family Members Give Well-Meaning Advice But Are Not Always Helpful. How Do I Respond?

My Addicted Son is Caught in the Cycle of Patient Brokering

Why Do People Tell Me That Tough Love is the Only Way to Deal With My Kid?

The Teen Vaping Trend – What Parents Need to Know

Can You Grieve Someone While They’re Still Alive?

My Child Needs Treatment, But Refuses to Get Help. What Should I Do?