When Rose found her sixteen-year-old son high at two in the morning, her first response wasn’t anger. It was devastation and shock. By six in the morning, after confirming he didn’t need to go to the hospital and getting him into bed, she was already researching what to do next. The anger came later. Rose’s
When your teenager begins using marijuana to cope with trauma, the journey ahead can feel overwhelming and isolating. In this coaching episode, Kelly shares her experience parenting a 17-year-old son who has been using marijuana for approximately two years following a traumatic event. What emerges is a powerful conversation about how parent self-care and strategic
Coaching Episode: Using Self-Care and Motivation as Tools in Teen Harm Reduction Read More »
When Brad’s son first went to treatment, the transformation seemed unlikely. His son had been isolated, hiding in his room, barely communicating. Nearly a year later, Brad watches as his son manages sober living, drives to meetings, attends school, volunteers, and works—all while maintaining his recovery. ‘He’s got a lot on his plate. And to
Living Behind A Locked Door For single parents managing a teen’s substance use and aggressive behavior, home can feel more like a battlefield than a sanctuary. Olivia, a single mother of two, describes her reality with heartbreaking honesty: ‘I basically live behind a locked door in my bedroom slash office. I walk on eggshells all
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Supporting a child through early recovery presents unique challenges for parents, especially when that child is transitioning from structured treatment environments to more independent living situations. Alice’s story illustrates the complex balance parents must strike between offering support and allowing their young adult children to develop the skills they need to navigate recovery on their
When your adult child struggles with alcohol addiction, one of the hardest lessons to learn is that you cannot control their journey—no matter how desperately you want to. Tracey, a nurse and mother of a 26-year-old son, knows this truth intimately after 11 years of navigating her son’s relationship with alcohol. ‘I say we’ve been
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When your child is navigating sobriety after struggling with substance misuse, parents often find themselves in an uncomfortable middle space. You’re grateful for the progress that’s been made, yet aware that things could be better. This episode explores how to care for yourself while supporting your child’s recovery journey. The Real Definition of Self-Care Many
When your child completes wilderness therapy or a residential treatment program, the relief you feel can quickly turn to anxiety as you face the reality of bringing them home. Jen Murphy and Hilary Moses, co-founders of Solutions Parenting Support and former wilderness and therapeutic boarding school therapists, understand this transition intimately. Their experience working with
Parenting a teen who struggles with substance misuse can feel like you’re the only one doing the work. Ellen knows this exhausting reality all too well. Her son, about to turn 18, has been on what she describes as a mental health and substance misuse roller coaster, complete with car accidents, school struggles, and a
When a child leaves treatment unexpectedly and returns home in early sobriety, parents face a complex mix of emotions and questions. In this coaching episode, Marie navigates her 16-year-old son’s first weekend home after leaving his therapeutic boarding school just 13-14 days into the program, triggered by trauma from a past residential experience. Weekend Anxiety
