Are you seeking recovery resources because your teen is experimenting with drugs or alcohol?
Or maybe you’re at the point where you can you no longer ignore your adult child’s prescription drug, cocaine, or heroin problem?
Substance use affects families from all walks of life. It is continuing to take a much larger toll than most people realize. The statistics still show that drug use, including alcohol, continues to hijack families. Abuse of prescription drug use is a national epidemic. The good news is there are recovery resources that are now available.
Here is a list of excellent resources that have helped many families.
1. Invitation to Change Groups for Loved Ones
“The Invitation to Change Approach© (ITC) is a holistic helping framework based in science and kindness, designed for the families and loved ones of people struggling with substance use. In each chapter, this workbook will introduce you to a key ITC topic—like Behaviors Make Sense, Increasing Positive Behaviors, and One Size Does Not Fit All—and then help you practice with special activities.” Now, across the US, groups of family members meet who are concerned about a loved one. You can learn more here.
New members are welcome to join our group, which starts on August 22, 2023. If you are interested in signing up, click here.
2. Partnership To End Addiction Recovery Resources
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids Helpline has recovery resources available to parents concerned about their children. The Partnership’s services include an initial call with a trained counselor and then coaching sessions with a peer coach who understands the challenges, setbacks, obstacles, and emotions that often accompany a child’s substance use.
Given that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and each family is unique, they’ll propose a personalized course of action, offering the best tools and resources to help you help your child, yourself, and your family. The helpline number is 1-855-378-4373. The helpline is open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET. Support is also available via live chat on evenings and weekends, Monday through Friday, 5-10 pm ET, as well as Saturday and Sunday, 12-5 pm ET.
3. Helping Families Help
The Helping Families Help site is focused on a scientific approach called CRAFT which has been shown to help almost 70% of families encourage their loved ones to start treatment. In addition, research shows that learning CRAFT helps family members feel better about themselves, get their own life on track, and improve their relationships with their loved ones. All of the options listed throughout Helping Families Help are offered by CRAFT-based providers, many of whom are a part of the Helping Families Help Provider Network (HFHPN). This website lists many resources that are CRAFT-based, including CRAFT-based resources for families dealing with addiction, a provider directory, CRAFT-based groups, training and workshops for families, opportunities to participate in research studies, and domestic violence resources. Click here to learn more about Helping Families Help.
4. Learn about SMART Recovery for Friends and Family
Other recovery resources include support groups like SMART Recovery for Friends and Family. SMART Recovery Family & Friends is a research-based, secular alternative to Al-Anon and Johnson Intervention.
Currently, there aren’t as many SMART Recovery live meetings available as some of the other groups. However, their numbers are growing as more people become aware of the program. Depending on your location, they do have regular ongoing Family & Friends meetings live and online.
The SMART Recovery 4-Point Program offers tools and techniques for each program point:
- Building and Maintaining Motivation
- Coping with Urges
- Managing Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
- Living a Balanced Life
5. Regain Your Hope Online Course
An online course can be helpful if you want to access information when it is convenient for you. If you are interested in learning about evidence-based strategies that will help you move your child toward recovery, this online course will get you started. It will give you an action plan to move the needle and help encourage your child to begin recovery. The course consists of over eight hours of content, including modules covering substance use, positive communication tools, self-care, consequences, boundaries, and more, as well as interviews with experts in the field. Also, you will receive access to an online support group and monthly meetings with parents on a similar path. Click here to get access.
6. Treatment Options
There are many options when it comes to treatment plans. Everyone’s situation is different. Look for a treatment program that fits your child’s needs. Keep in mind any co-occurring or underlying issues, your child’s patterns of use, and how open they are to change and support.
According to the authors of Beyond Addiction, the three biggest questions to ask about treatment are:
- What setting makes the most sense to start with (inpatient or residential, outpatient, and so on)?
- What intensity of treatment is appropriate; that is, how often will treatment occur?
- What approach seems like the best fit for your loved one (and what is the evidence supporting that approach)?
The SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is a resource for treatment options. It is one of the most thorough search engines available and has recently been updated. Do your homework so that you have an idea of what kind of treatment would be best.
Also, here is a link to Questions to Ask Treatment Providers put out by the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and TRI. For more information, check out Finding a Treatment Provider.
7. Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-Assisted Treatment, or MAT, is a treatment option for those who are struggling with substance use disorder because of their opioid use. Medications such as naltrexone (Vivitrol), buprenorphine (Suboxone), and Methadone are prescribed to help reduce the cravings that often derail a person’s recovery. Researchers now know that these medications are saving lives.
According to Dr. Ken Saffier, MD, who works with substance use disorder patients in northern California, the benefits of opioid “maintenance” are:
- Increased treatment retention
- 80% decrease in drug use and crime
- 70% decrease in the death rate
- A decrease in Hep C and HIV transmission
- Reduces relapse rate compared to 80-90% without MAT
These medications need to be prescribed by a doctor. MAT is not for everyone. However, it is an option that could help your child rebuild their life and reduce concerns about relapse.
8. Keep Naloxone on Hand
If you have a child who is struggling with opioid use, such as Heroin, Vicodin, OxyContin, and Percocet, it is recommended that you have Naloxone on hand. Read How Naloxone Can Help Save Lives to learn more. It can help prevent a fatal overdose. For any emergency, always call 911. Naloxone, in an emergency, can be administered by a trained family member.
This medicine should not be used in place of emergency medical care. It should be administered by a trained family member or friend first responder. Once you have received training on administering the drug, you can buy Naloxone without a prescription at Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Target, Wal-Mart and independent drug stores.
Signs to look for if you are concerned about a possible overdose:
- The face is clammy to the touch and has lost its normal color
- Blue lips and fingertips
- Non-responsive to his/her name or a firm sternum rub using the knuckles.
- Slow or erratic breathing, or no breathing at all
- Deep snoring or a gurgling sound (i.e. ‘death rattle’)
- Heartbeat is slow or not detected
Here is another resource for Naloxone.
9. Join the Free Facebook Group for Parents of Children Struggling with Drugs/Alcohol
You will feel less alone when you are part of a group. If you are a parent of a child who is struggling with drugs or alcohol, feel free to join our Parents of Children Struggling with Drug/Alcohol Facebook group. This group is for parents to connect with other parents in similar situations to encourage and support one another to help make sense of their child’s substance use.
The group is over 4900 members strong and is a resource where parents help other parents. It is a place where you will feel supported and know that you are not alone. The group is strictly for parents of teens or young adults who are struggling with drugs or alcohol.
I hope these recovery resources will give you a place to start so you can help yourself and your child. Know that every situation is different, so take your time to find the best fit for you and your child.
10. Check out my information on CRAFT
This page has many evidence-based resources. The page gives an overview of the CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) approach with links to learn more. The information includes articles, links, books, and other resources. Click here to learn more.
With these resources, you can help your child change. They can go on to live a healthier life.
Choose what sounds like it will be helpful and contact them to learn more. I welcome your feedback. What recovery resources have you found helpful?
Access research-based resources to help you support your child in a kind, compassionate way, which can lead to change.
And consider getting access to my online course, Regain Your Hope, an online course that gives you an action plan to help your child. Know that your child can change.
Consider checking out my book, The Compassion Antidote: A Path to Change for You and Your Child Struggling with Addiction.
