PAL, is a nonprofit organization providing resources to families of addictive loved ones as they navigate a new “normal”.  PAL started as a grassroots organization in Arizona and is growing rapidly across the United States.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, PAL, is a non-profit organization and its founding principle is Parents-Helping-Parents. PAL started as a grassroots organization in Arizona and is growing rapidly across the United States. This volunteer-based organization has expanded to over 40 states in just five years, with requests for meetings coming in daily for locations not yet being served. PAL focuses on the challenges that are unique to the parents of an adult addict. 

PAL’s specific goals include providing a program that: 

• Follows evidence-based practices, 
• Helps member well-being improve, and 
• Helps members learn strategies to support their addicted loved one’s recovery.

PAL uses an evidence-based, faith-driven program to save and change lives. When families first walk into PAL, they are often completely broken. They fear their loved ones may die if nothing changes. PAL provides critical emotional support and a simple, loving program of action for parents to follow. As parents learn healthier ways to deal with the issues surrounding substance use disorder and begin to set healthy boundaries, their loved ones - no longer enabled in their addiction - often seek recovery. All family members (ages 18 and over) of the individual suffering from substance use disorder are welcome.

How PAL Works

Weekly Group Meetings

The PAL program is built on weekly meetings and are held at no cost to participants. They are led by trained peer volunteer facilitators who have all experienced the addiction of a loved one. Using a model of parents-helping-parents, the educational component consists of nine core lessons, plus supplemental lessons and the occasional guest speaker. Meetings cover various topics of addiction and recovery with the goal of building the behavioral and communication tools families need when dealing with the stressful situations inherent when their adult child suffers from addiction. Individuals can attend until they feel empowered to handle their situation. 

Family Education Seminars

PAL hosts seminars to raise awareness about topics including drug addiction, mental health services, suicide prevention, Narcan training and “Dump the Drugs” events. 

Support

PAL’s dedicated volunteers also speak about the organization to local service organizations and at state and county conferences; take phone calls from people seeking help; lead training for volunteer facilitators and host a robust website full of resources.

PAL History

The PAL model was created and started by Mike Speakman, an Arizona-based Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor, in 2006. He created the curriculum at the suggestion of some of his recovery clients who saw the need for something to help their families. The demand was great and the number of meetings grew until it was apparent the program answered a true need in the community. Parents of Addicted Loved Ones formed as a nonprofit in March 2015.