When your child is struggling with substance misuse, your instinct might be to push harder, set firmer rules, or somehow force them to see what you see. But what if the most effective approach is counterintuitive? What if creating change requires warmth instead of force? Why Force Doesn’t Work: The Sun vs. The Wind There’s
When your child is struggling with substance misuse, one of the most challenging moments comes when you try to help them accept treatment. Traditional interventions often feel confrontational and can damage already fragile relationships. The CRAFT approach offers a different path – one grounded in positive reinforcement, effective communication, and understanding what truly motivates your
When you discover your child is struggling with substance use, every instinct tells you to do more, try harder, and never give up. But sometimes, the very things we do out of love can unintentionally prolong the struggle. This episode explores ten common patterns that may be contributing to your child’s continued substance use—and what
When your teenager or young adult is misusing substances, the first instinct is often to find treatment—preferably right away. But what happens when your child refuses to go? Or when they agree but clearly aren’t engaged? Licensed therapist and clinical social worker Lara Okoloko explains why treatment resistance in young people makes perfect sense, and
When Alice Baker joined the Hopestream community in 2022 as a parent navigating her teenage son’s marijuana dependence, she brought with her over 27 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor and certified eating disorder specialist. What she discovered changed her practice: the same approaches she was learning to support her son could transform
The Complex Relationship Between Substance Use and Eating Disorders, with Alice Baker Read More »
When a child struggles with substance misuse, mothers typically lead the charge in seeking support, education, and therapeutic tools. But fathers? They’re often notably absent. This isn’t because dads don’t care—it’s because a complex web of cultural expectations, identity patterns, and communication barriers keeps them on the sidelines. The Gender Gap in Seeking Support The
When your teen or young adult struggles with substance misuse, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, scared, and uncertain about how to help. Dr. Jennifer Fernandez, founder and clinical director of the California Center for Change, brings a powerful combination of evidence-based approaches to support families navigating this challenging journey. Why Shame Fuels Addiction One of
If your child is struggling with drugs or alcohol, you’ve likely heard about the Invitation to Change approach—also called CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training). But what does it actually look like to use these tools in real life? The honest answer is: it’s not always easy, and it doesn’t work like magic. What the
When Julie Merberg discovered a scale and baggies on her coffee table after returning from a business trip, she faced every parent’s nightmare: her teenage son wasn’t just using drugs, he was dealing them. But what brought her family to that moment reveals an important lesson about how we respond when our kids tell us
If you’ve ever found yourself at a loss for words when talking with your teen or young adult who’s struggling with substance use, you’re not alone. Many parents who feel confident communicating in other areas of life suddenly feel inarticulate when it comes to their child who’s off track. ‘But when it came to my
