Hopestream is the defacto resource for parents who have a teen or young adult child who’s misusing drugs or alcohol, hosted by Brenda Zane. Brenda is a Mayo Clinic Certified health & wellness coach, CRAFT Parent Coach, and mom of a son who nearly lost his life to addiction. Guests include addiction, prevention, and treatment experts, family members impacted by their loved one’s substance use, and wellness and self-care specialists. You’ll also hear heartfelt messages from me, your host. It’s a safe, nurturing respite from the chaos and confusion you live with. We gather in our private communities between the episodes, The Stream for moms and The Woods for dads. Learn more at www.hopestreamcommunity.org.
Brook McKenzie’s personal story of addiction and recovery Brook McKenzie’s journey into addiction began around age 13 or 14. By 15 he needed treatment, and he went through three adolescent treatment programs between 15 and 17. His brother took a very different path — college, career, marriage — while Brook’s life looked nothing like that
Episode 341 ABOUT THE EPISODE: You‘ve probably watched your child make a decision so obviously terrible you could not understand how it made sense to them. Darren Hobbs can tell you exactly how it looked, because he made that decision. He had done treatment. He had a sponsor, a home group, a year chip. Then
His Mom’s Hard Boundary Drove His Recovery, with Darren Hobbs Read More »
Why parents struggle with boundaries Before she understood what boundaries were, Brenda described feeling invisible — like a doormat — with rules that nobody followed and no way to enforce anything. ‘I felt like I was invisible, like I was a doormat, like none of my rules were being followed,’ she shared. That frustration didn’t
What Are Boundaries and Why Parents of Struggling Teens Need Them Read More »
The pressure to get your kid across the finish line By the time a struggling teenager reaches senior year, most parents have already been through so much that graduation itself feels like a personal accomplishment. As Brenda put it, ‘I got my son graduated from high school. I should get the diploma because I’m actually
Sending Your Struggling Kid to College: Decisions, Alternatives, and Grief Read More »
What psychological testing actually is — and is not When Brenda first heard the term ‘psych eval’ during her son’s time in wilderness therapy, she had never encountered it before. That unfamiliarity is common, and it’s part of why Dr. Graham Husick wanted to start with a baseline. Testing, he explained, spans many areas —
Why Psychological Testing Is a Missing Step When Your Teen Has Substance Use Problems Read More »
Parenting out of fear — and not even knowing it Cathy described the first time she heard the phrase ‘parenting out of fear’ and admitted she didn’t know what it meant. ‘All I knew was I was just doing the best that I could,’ she said. It wasn’t until a therapist walked her through it
Building Emotional Sturdiness When Your Child Is Struggling Read More »
The Apology Parents Don’t Need to Keep Making Brenda opens this solo episode by naming something she hears parents repeat constantly: I’m sorry I didn’t catch this sooner. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better parent. I’m sorry this is happening to you. Her message is direct — it is time to put that speech down.
The Difference Between Healthy Guilt and Harmful Self-Blame for Parents Read More »
Episode 335 ABOUT THE EPISODE: There’s an emotion most of us are carrying that we don’t talk about, because we’re pretty sure we’re not allowed to feel it. Anger. Anger at where our kid’s choices have led our family. Anger at what they’re doing to themselves. And underneath it, a heavy layer of guilt for
Anger for Parents of Struggling Teens: How to Recognize It, Name It, and Handle It Read More »
A mom’s experience navigating THC-induced psychosis Lynn, an active member of the Hopestream community, joined the episode to share what she has lived through with her oldest son — now in his mid-twenties — who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder following what she believes was THC-induced psychosis. Her son had been diagnosed with ADHD in
THC-Induced Psychosis in Teens and Young Adults: Signs, Risks, and What Parents Can Do Read More »
When You Confiscate Substances and Things Explode One of the most common scenarios parents face is taking away a substance — a vape pen, pills, alcohol, weed — only to have the situation escalate rapidly. Kids may become aggressive, threaten to hurt themselves, or say things that are genuinely frightening. Brenda and Cathy are clear
Practical Self-Coaching Questions When Your Child Struggles With Alcohol or Drugs Read More »
