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.

December 4, 2017

How Can I Let Go of My Need to “Fix” Things?

While as a parent we cannot fix things for our child, we can help them change. Using research-based approaches can help the change happen sooner.

Cyndi Glass lost her son Jeremy to an overdose and is now hosting a grassroots fundraiser

December 4, 2017

How These 8 Parents Are Giving Back

The holidays can be a tough time when your loved one uses drugs. These 8 parents are helping families struggling with their son or daughter’s addiction.

November 29, 2017

If Love Alone Could Have Saved Me, It Would Have

Just because your child is struggling with drugs doesn’t mean you didn’t love them enough. They’re just entangled in the cunning, baffling disease of addiction.

November 27, 2017

How Much Should I Tell My Child About My Substance Use When I Was Young?

It’s understandable you might worry about telling your child about your own past alcohol or drug use. Here are a few points to consider.

November 25, 2017

Everything My Parents Did to Get Me Addiction Treatment and into Recovery

In my family, addiction was treated with the same affection and care as any other potentially fatal illness. I’m in recovery from addiction today because of it.

November 20, 2017

Is There Some Kind of Rating System For Treatment Programs?

There is no universal rating system to assess treatment programs but there are steps you can take to ensure your child is getting quality treatment.

November 14, 2017

What to Look for – and What to Avoid – when Searching for an Addiction Treatment Program

Unethical addiction treatment is unfortunately abundant. Learn to discern quality, clinical treatment from providers without your child’s best interest at heart.

November 13, 2017

My Son’s Addiction Overwhelms Me. How Can I Stop Worrying Constantly?

Addiction is particularly stressful for parents. Emotions can feel overwhelming, so take time to help yourself feel better first.

November 10, 2017

Withdrawing from ‘Withdrawal’: The Language of Addiction Matters

We need to change language like junkie, addict, and alcoholic if we are to lessen the stigma and negativity that saturates the perception of drug addiction.

November 6, 2017

What Is Narcan? What Does It Do?

Narcan (naloxone) is a prescription medicine that can reverse an overdose. If your child is struggling with opioids, learn how to use it.

Alicia Murray - Medication-Assisted Treatment

November 2, 2017

Is There Medicine to Help You Recover from a Heroin Addiction?

Treatment options for opioid addiction used to be limited — most saw it as just a moral failing. Today we have many science-based options, including medication.

doing paperwork and comparing costs for treatment

October 31, 2017

6 Steps to Find Addiction Treatment For Your Son or Daughter If You Don’t Have Insurance

Finding low cost or free treatment for your son or daughter’s drug or alcohol addiction is possible. Take these six steps if you don’t have insurance.

October 30, 2017

In What Situations Might I Call the Police on my Child?

When a child struggles with addiction, you may find yourself in some difficult situations. Sometimes, it may be appropriate to call your local police.

October 24, 2017

Considering Medication-Assisted Treatment? Make Sure You Know the Fine Print

While medication like Suboxone, Vivitrol and Methadone can be life-saving for opioid addiction, it’s important that parents understand some of their challenges.

October 23, 2017

Who Do I Call For Help If I Think My Child Needs Treatment?

If you are looking for help, a good place to start is by contacting the Partnership Helpline, a non-crisis support line staffed by parent specialists.

October 18, 2017

What Happens When My Son or Daughter Goes Through Opioid Withdrawal?

One of the reasons that opioids like Vicodin are so addictive are the painful withdrawal symptoms that come from stopping use. Here’s what’s going on.

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

Parent Blog

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?

How Can I Let Go of My Need to “Fix” Things?

How These 8 Parents Are Giving Back

If Love Alone Could Have Saved Me, It Would Have

How Much Should I Tell My Child About My Substance Use When I Was Young?

Everything My Parents Did to Get Me Addiction Treatment and into Recovery

Is There Some Kind of Rating System For Treatment Programs?

What to Look for – and What to Avoid – when Searching for an Addiction Treatment Program

My Son’s Addiction Overwhelms Me. How Can I Stop Worrying Constantly?

Withdrawing from ‘Withdrawal’: The Language of Addiction Matters

What Is Narcan? What Does It Do?

Is There Medicine to Help You Recover from a Heroin Addiction?

6 Steps to Find Addiction Treatment For Your Son or Daughter If You Don’t Have Insurance

In What Situations Might I Call the Police on my Child?

Considering Medication-Assisted Treatment? Make Sure You Know the Fine Print

Who Do I Call For Help If I Think My Child Needs Treatment?

What Happens When My Son or Daughter Goes Through Opioid Withdrawal?

Exciting Changes are Coming

Parent Blog