This is an interview with Kim Box of Parent Pathway.
Parent Pathway has recently released their documentary, Collision Course. Be sure to watch Collision Course and share it with your family.
Please introduce yourself for readers that don’t know you.
I am the Co-founder and President of Parent Pathway, LLC. I am passionate about awareness and prevention of teen substance abuse and addiction. I am also passionate about helping parents who have a child or any loved one who is struggling with substance abuse.
It affects so many young people who begin with recreational ‘partying’ with their friends and end up with the disease of addiction. This is one disease that is completely preventable; young people and their parents need to know the consequence of substance abuse.
Tell us about Parent Pathway and why did you start the website?
Parent Pathway has been created for parents by parents to find a place to get answers, a sense of community, and hope for their loved ones and themselves. We realized the need for this service by seeing what was happening in our communities and families and we also realized that it was difficult to get information to help parents in their time of need.
When you realize that your child has gone past the point of experimental substance use and into a serious problem with drugs and alcohol it is difficult to know what to do. It is not a situation that many parents feel compelled to share with their friends and family, it can be very lonely and filled with fear.
My partners and I decided that we would create a website to help parents navigate through this difficult situation with their loved one. Our goal is that they find the website and instantly realize that they are not alone and others are here to help.
What is Meetings in a Box? Who would benefit from these meetings?
Meetings in a Box are a guide to have a meeting with a group of parents or to do as an individual to help support them through their journey of a loved one struggling with addiction. Each Meeting in a Box is a topic with a description, relevant quotes, music, books and then an exercise to explore the topic and learn how to work through it.
An example of some of the topics are; Denial, Hope, Fear, Boundaries, Gratitude, Trust, and many more. These are topics are typical for overcoming co-dependent and enabling behaviors as well as taking care of ourselves. Meetings in a Box is a very innovative service to help parents cope and move forward in their journey.
What are some of the common drugs that seem to be abused in the Sacramento area?
I believe the Sacramento area is very similar to many other areas. We have seen an extreme surge in prescription drug abuse. Pain killers like Oxycontin, Vicodin, Norco and many others are very expensive on the street which leads those addicted to these opiate based drugs to use heroin because it is much less expensive and the same high.
Alcohol continues to be a huge issue. We are seeing young people binge drinking in middle school, high school and college leading to death in some cases. Even with awareness around drinking and driving, there are still high numbers of young people abusing alcohol and suffering the consequences which can ultimately lead to alcoholism.
You also speak to parent groups in your area. What is your message for parents and how can they help prevent their children from becoming addicted to drugs?
Our message is simply that abusing drugs and alcohol at a young age can have immediate and long term consequences. The adolescent brain continues to develop until the age of 25. By using substances, you are altering the chemistry of the brain and have a very high probability of developing the disease of addiction of which there is no cure.
Ninety percent of all adults who have the disease of addiction began abusing substances before the age of 18. After the age of 18 the probability of the disease of addiction is one in 25. Parents need to understand this and help their child stay safe and away from abusing substances.
We encourage parents to get educated on how substance abuse affects their child and encourage them to talk early and often to their children so they can make good choices. We encourage parents to keep prescription drugs locked up to prevent easy access.
Where do you go from here? What are your dreams for the future?
Our goal is to get as much visibility to Parent Pathway so that parents can get the help and support they need. It is such a difficult situation to discover your child has a serious problem with drugs and alcohol.
We want parents to easily find our site and know there are others that have traveled this path and will be there to support them. My ultimate dream is that there is enough awareness and education to parents and young teens that we turn this growing epidemic of addiction around and see it rapidly decline.
That would result in not having a need for Parent Pathway. But until then, we will be there help parents navigate through their journey.
Are you a parent who is concerned about your teen? What can we do to prevent teen substance abuse? If you have any questions or if there is something I can help you with, please feel free to contact me through the contact form. I would love to hear from you.
My son has been doing drugs since his senior year in high school. He couldn’t get out of the house fast enough. He and his girlfriend who became our daughter in law and gave us our first grandchild went straight to crack cocaine. Fast Fwd to now 2012, He has 5 children 12 and under with 3 different baby mamas. The last one is 2 yrs old. He and his new wife are living in a motel because their credit is bad and they can’t get a house to rent.
Recently, we had his best friend while growing up, over several times. He was like family to us and lived with us for a while as we were his legal guardians. He’s about 2 years older. He never got caught up in the drug lifestyle. Jon is presently on oxycontin or heroin, or possibly going to a methadone clinic. Here’s my question. When my son’s friend was over he told me very sincerely and sadly that our son had done things that were without question were so awful, and that had crossed lines that were so bad and evil that they couldn’t even be forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ, and I’m not talking about sleeping with woman, drinking, debauchery, etc. He said the things that no one would even think to do and so awful that he’s not sure you can even be forgiven for them. What should I think and how should I approach my son? In the past, my son has written me off much of the time and made it clear he has done things so monstrous that he can never be forgiven and to leave him alone. What the heck am I supposed to do. I’m trying to get this kid into treatment. He can not even begin to start treatment if he believes he’s the evilest person to have ever walked the planet??
Dee Dee, it is such a difficult and painful situation that you are dealing with. My heart goes out to you and to your son. I would suggest that you post your question on the ‘Ask the Expert’ on our website – http://www.parentpathway.com . We have several experts that can give advice. I would also suggest that you seek an interventionist to help you in how to approach your son. They can give professional advice on how to best handle it. Hang in there and know that you are not alone.
Hi Cathy , Hi Kim,
This is such an informative post – parents do need to talk to their children about the dangers of substance abuse and be informed themselves. I’ve just watched the video and what really struck me was how ‘normal’ all the teenagers and their families are – I think there is a misconception about the ‘types’ of kids that get addicted but addiction can affect any family at any time. The great news is that addiction can be treated and families can heal with the right treatment and support.
Great post!
Carolyn,
It is so true that addiction affects all families- it knows no socio-economic boundaries. It is very important that all parents of teens understand this in order to be vigilant at talking to their teens which helps reduce the risk of substance abuse. Thanks for taking the time to watch the film.
Kim
This is such an important and informative interview, Cathy and Kim, and your documentary is excellent, Kim! I love your Meetings in a Box idea — that is sure to help so many parents.
Thanks Lisa – we think the Meetings in a Box can help a lot of parents to find strength, learning and coping during the challenging journey of a loved one struggling with addiction.
Kim
Congratulations, Kim! I admire you for your wonderful work. I enjoyed the interview. Substance abuse is such a critical/scary aspect of life, especially with children seeming to grow up too quickly, thanks to media exposure. Sadly, some of them are blind to the good advice and find it all too easy to go down the “wrong” path. Initiatives such as yours and Cathy’s are so desperately needed. And yes, parents MUST keep themselves closely connected with their children, as this can eliminate much of the grief.
Thank you for a wonderful post and valuable information. Love, Vidya
Thanks Vidya – it is difficult but keeping the lines of communication are critical. And keeping informed as a parent with what is happening as well.
Kim
Kim,
It sounds like you’re doing some great work here. Congratulations on the Emmy nomination your new movie. I wish you the best of luck!!
Cathy,
You always have the most interesting and helpful people on your blog. Thanks again!
Betsy thanks – it is an exciting tIme! The best part about the Emmy nomination is the great visibility to get more people to watch the film. Awareness and education does drive prevention!
Kim
Hello Cathy!
My Son is 35 yrs and has been engaged to his fiance a very long time. He abuses cocaine. I think she is in with him on a party level. She actually scores for him telling me he gets agressive if she doesn’t. They have 2 lovely daughters of 3yrs and 9yrs, the eldest knows her daddy wastes money on it and finds straws laying around.
Recently 2 months ago I tried to help, I own a Health Shop, I gave him supplements as his immune system is low. I tried to encourage him to stop and I was prepared to help were I could, he seemed thankful and tried to cut down. They have been borrowing money from her parents who do not know the problem. His fiance does not want them to know. They live around the corner from them and looks after the girls here and there. So any problem she has with my Son she phones me, otherwise I don’t hear from them, only when they need money.
They make excuses that 3 months credit card payments were taken off in one month or L/Water etc. When I lend them money I see on facebook they going out or going away for weekends just spending in general. This she asks me for R5000 as there bond on the house has bounced. I was not in a position to loan it, but also stressed that they must pull there horns in and stop spending etc. Told her they will loose their house if they not careful.
My Son phoned me very upset saying I also had a past were my ex borrowed money and we were bad off. My ex used weed. Told them I can not keep giving money as he abuses it. Now he is so upset with me saying I’m throwing the money up in his face and has turned it around making me feel guilty. What upsets me is I have been supportive of his fiance for along time and she has just caused so much trouble. Of course he believes her and turns on me. Now what do I do as I’m worried about him as he is depressed and has on 2 occasions tried suicide. He always blames me for our family not being close. His brother is living in U.K. and has nothing to do with his sister because of an argument they had 2 years ago about the situation. Don’t know what to do now please help?
Hi Carole,
My heart goes out to you and your family. This is a devastating disease and one that harms not only the users, but also the family members. I believe in situations like this when you are feeling distressed, reaching out for professional help even on a short term basis can be very useful. An objective opinion gives clarity to the situation.
You can also post your question on the ‘Ask the Expert’ on http://www.parentpathway.com.
Best of luck to you and my hope is that your son, for the sake of himself and his family seeks recovery. Take care.