Let’s Talk About Gratitude

Let’s Talk About Gratitude

It’s November! Let’s talk about gratitude. There is no better medicine to lift our spirits than a quick account of our blessings. What an incredibly powerful tool for changing our perspectives for the better. The happiest most resilient people I meet always seem to...
Is Relapse Part of Recovery?

Is Relapse Part of Recovery?

​I would like to share some of the most common questions I receive about relapse. I will answer them from an overview perspective and in a general sense. Relapse is a big topic, with many variables that are case specific. I don’t think it can be covered thoroughly in...
A House United

A House United

A House United One of the first things parents who have a child abusing drugs and alcohol can ask themselves is, are we one the same page about how we want to respond? The answer varies, but is often no. This is one of the critical issues that will need to be...
The Three Cs

The Three Cs

The Three Cs In my 25 years of working with parents of those suffering from substance use disorder, few concepts or perspectives stand out as much as “The Three Cs”. The concept comes from the Al-Anon Family Groups, but the idea has spread to countless other family...
Being Uncomfortable to Grow

Being Uncomfortable to Grow

Sometimes We Have to Get Uncomfortable in Order to Grow Having a child with an addiction can create a lot of chaos and discomfort in a family. Most people who find themselves reading this blog will know this from first-hand experience. Participation in a parent...
Progress Not Perfection

Progress Not Perfection

Progress Not Perfection Parents come to PAL or other support groups usually after suffering a tremendous amount of stress, fear and struggle. Once they reach this point of defeat, they seek support, and what they usually find is that their awareness grows quickly and...