I am the mother of eight children. Heartbreakingly, more than one of them has struggled with addiction. Today, I want to share a piece of our journey—specifically that of my child, Shane, who is currently in the throes of severe substance use.

Shane was a bright, inquisitive boy—gifted, charismatic, and full of life. He excelled in whatever he pursued, and his love for learning was unmistakable. But in time, his natural charm became a tool for manipulation, and he began to lead others into pursuits that were not only misguided, but deeply destructive. These choices created painful rifts between him and his siblings.

Shane’s path into addiction began with marijuana. For him, it wasn’t just casual use—it became an obsession. He immersed himself in studying strains, techniques, and effects. It was his entire world. But as often happens, marijuana ceased to satisfy him, and he turned to prescription drugs. He even learned how to fake skateboarding injuries to obtain the medications he craved.

Eventually, Shane was arrested on felony charges. Sadly, incarceration offered no real help—rehabilitation was never presented as an option. I hope that our justice system will continue to evolve and provide meaningful resources for those suffering from substance use disorder.

After his release on parole, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Shane had little to no contact with his parole officer, and with the absence of structure and support he lost his way. So many things had happened at this point, and it was during this period I came to a breaking point. I knew I needed help—not just for Shane, but for myself.  I just did not know what to do.

I searched for help and am so thankful that I found PAL.  As I look back, going to that first meeting was a turning point. The program grounded me in truth and gave me practical tools to walk this painful path with clarity and hope. The support I’ve received has been a healing balm to my soul. Our facilitator and fellow members have become dear friends—people I trust deeply for encouragement, accountability, and compassion.

Our family is still navigating this storm. Some of my children are in recovery. Others say, “maybe one day.” As for Shane, I honestly don’t know where he stands. But what I do know is that I am in recovery. And that has made all the difference.

If there is to be hope for Shane, it must begin with hope in myself. I continue to pray for him—because that’s what mothers do. We never stop hoping. We never stop praying.

— A PAL Mom