PAL Blog
A Parent’s Story
Articles by Parents Like You
Finding the blessing
"f My family includes my husband and me (we have been happily married for over 35 years), our three adult children and several grandchildren. My addicted loved one was always the class clown. School was a breeze and all the teachers...
Hope for the Future
part of When our son was born, my husband and I were so excited and full of anticipation for his future life. It was clear at a very young age that he was different from other children. He was more active, more agitated and it was...
Esperanza para el futuro
part of Cuando nació nuestro hijo, mi esposo y yo estábamos tan emocionados y llenos de anticipación por su vida futura. Estaba claro a una edad muy temprana que era diferente de otros niños. Era más activo, más agitado y le resultaba difícil...
The View from Recovery
Articles by People in Recovery
There is a purpose in the pain
When I was 15 years old, I had grand aspirations for what my life would look like. I was obsessed with music and playing the guitar and my dream was to be a songwriter who wrote hits and toured the world. I loved reading and writing. I’d get lost in...
Vivir a través del dolor
En 2012 vivía en el apartamento de mi traficante de drogas en 19th Avenue y Dunlap. Nuestro acuerdo consistía en que yo proporcionara transporte a cambio de una manta en el piso de la sala de estar y la ocasional dosis gratis de heroína, metanfetamina o...
Living through the pain
In 2012 I lived at my drug dealer’s apartment. Our arrangement consisted of me providing transportation in exchange for a blanket on the floor in the living room and the occasional free hit of heroin, meth or marijuana. When I was physically able, I delivered...
From Counselors
Articles by PAL and Partner Counselors
What does recovery look like?
Have you ever said, “I think he is sober,” or “he says he is sober.” I hear this often at PAL meetings. I also remember saying those words during the years both of my sons were active in their disease. As parents we desperately want to...
¿Por qué la recuperación es un viaje tan largo?: La recuperación es un maratón, no una carrera de velocidad
Una cosa que escucho regularmente de las personas es que giran en torno a su deseo de que su ser querido esté sobrio. Sin embargo, hay una distinción importante entre sobriedad y recuperación. Francamente, "ponerse sobrio" suele ser la parte simple. No...
Why is recovery such a long journey? Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint
One thing I regularly hear from people revolves around their desire for their loved one to get sober. However, there is an important distinction between sobriety and recovery. Frankly, “getting sober,” is usually the simple part. Don’t get me...