In 2014, my oldest of two boys, Chase, died in a drug-impaired wreck after struggling with addiction for a year and a half. When I first learned of his drug habit, I didn't know anything about substance use disorders, and I panicked. I made a lot of mistakes.
Through an intervention, I was able to get Chase into treatment, but I didn't realize the proper role of the family in the recovery process. In some ways I was enabling Chase and doing things that may have contributed to his eventual relapse.
I worried about Chase constantly, but it seemed as though all of my efforts to help him only made matters worse.
That's why after Chase died, I decided to completely immerse myself in learning everything I could about substance use disorders. (drug & alcohol addiction)
I wrote a book about Chase's life. I began doing drug prevention speaking. I read books about addiction, attended seminars, and watched videos. I volunteered to facilitate a peer support group for parents with children struggling with a substance use disorder.
There is no cure for a substance use disorder, but I have discovered the steps parents can take to give their child the best opportunity at long-term recovery.