Family
What to Do When Your Child Gets in Trouble With Alcohol
As parents, our worst fears concern anything bad happening to one of our children. We try to shield and protect them as best as possible from all the terrible things in the world, but no matter how hard we try, we can’t be everywhere at all times. For many parents, when the dreaded call comes from the police or school officials that their child is in trouble with alcohol, the news is not only devastating, but they also don’t know what to do. Here are some pointers that may help. Full Story
How Parental Alcoholism Affects Children in their Adult Lives
It is clear that children are affected by their parents’ choices when it comes to alcohol abuse problems. Neglect, abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome are all effects immediately felt by the children of alcoholic parents.
MADD Launches Campaign to Help Parents Talk to Teens About Drinking
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Nationwide Insurance launched a campaign today to give parents of high school students the tools they need to help curb teen alcohol use. "The Power of Parents, It’s Your Influence by MADD" features its resources at thepowerofparents.org.
Childhood Stress—Including Parents Who Abuse Substances—Can Shorten Life
A new study found that stressful childhood experiences, such as verbal and physical abuse, can take years off an individual’s life.
Family Treatment for Substance Abuse
When your loved one enters treatment for substance abuse, the entire family should be a part of the treatment facility’s process for getting your family member drug-free and able to remain abstinent. Substance abuse affects the whole family, not just the individual who is addicted. An essential part of family treatment involves providing information and support. While each substance abuse treatment facility has different programs and protocols, here are some general components of family treatment. Full Story
How Important Is Family In Drug and Alcohol Treatment?
By Suzanne Kane
Let’s face it. Going through treatment for drug and alcohol dependence or addiction is a tough process. Not only is it hard on the individual seeking to get clean and sober, but it is also a difficult experience for family members. Addiction in any form affects the entire family. There’s no way any individual can get through treatment and on to recovery without a lot of support. That support comes from counselors, group meetings, friends you meet in treatment and recovery—and family.
How to Combat Your Elderly Parents’ Prescription Drug Abuse
By Suzanne Kane
This can be a tough subject to broach with your parents, particularly as they get on in years. But the truth is that as we age, we find ourselves with a variety of health problems, some minor, some serious, that may require a prescription medicine to cure, help alleviate symptoms, or just manage pain. These could be for heart-related concerns, arthritis, diabetes, problems with dental, vision or hearing. Prior to performing dental surgery, a dentist may prescribe an antibiotic. After minor or major surgery, the physician could prescribe a medication for temporary relief of pain and to stave off infection. Over time, medications seem to accumulate in the medicine cabinets of the elderly. Often times they don’t even remember what the medications are for. Mixing prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, can be very dangerous – even deadly. Full Story
Reluctant Family Members and Intervention
The ideal situation would be for all of the members of a family to be concerned about each other and to be willing to help when one family member is in trouble. Unfortunately, sometimes people are reluctant or completely unwilling to participate in an intervention that is intended to help an addicted individual to become free of his or her dependency. Full Story
Need Help Finding an Intervention Specialist?
We can refer you to an experienced interventionist who can help you help your loved one.
The Addiction Primer: Everything You Need to Know to Get Help for a Loved One
A very inexpensive yet indispensable guide for anyone struggling with a loved one's addiction. Chapters on intervention, what to expect from rehab, and information on how addiction impacts the family.
