Information about addiction that will help you understand your child’s behavior.
When I got the toxicology results that confirmed Helanna’s death was from fentanyl poisoning I called the police officer that informed me of my daughter’s death. I wanted to know if there would be an investigation so this didn’t happen to anyone else. The conversation with the police officer and the confirmation that it was …
If It Wasn’t For Fentanyl My Daughter Would Still Be Alive Read More »
If you’re struggling with anxiety, fear, and panic about your child’s addiction this playlist is for you. So many struggling parents have reached out to me about this lately so I am putting some of my favorite podcasts and videos in one place for you. Listen as many times as you need to and take …
Release Anxiety, Panic, and Fear About Your Child’s Addiction Playlist Read More »
This week I got to interview my daughter. You’ve been hearing my experience of her addiction so I think that it’s important to hear what her experience was like as well. Some of the things we talked about: · What was it like when I looked to you to be ok to make me …
An important part of supporting yourself and your child who is struggling with addiction is questioning all your old beliefs and creating intentional new ones that serve you. This video is one of the resources that helped me form my new beliefs about addiction because the connection aspect and findings of the research resonated with …
The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety, it’s connection Read More »
The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. Once someone is addicted, they’re not using drugs to feel good; they’re using drugs just to feel “normal”. Behavioral changes are directly linked to the drug user’s changing brain. …
My robot vacuum (her name is Wonder Woman) reminds me of how I approached my daughter’s substance use when it first started. Several days in a row while I was sitting at my desk working, I noticed Wonder Woman was struggling to get into my office. The transition into my office is higher than the …
Buffering is using any false pleasure like drugs, food, alcohol, shopping, gambling, people, social media, or anything else outside of ourselves to avoid experiencing our feelings. Those external substances create temporary or momentary feelings of comfort, but they don’t last. It’s a short term solution to a long term problem that often creates more consequences …
How We’re More Like Our Kids Who Are Abusing Substances Than We Think Read More »
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the part of the brain where risks are assessed, impulses are controlled, and plans are made to reach goals. The PFC is not fully developed until 25 years old on average. That is why teens are more likely to engage in risky or impulsive behavior. In addition to your teen’s …
The Teen/young adult brain and how it’s affected by substance use Read More »
As you read this, keep in mind this is JUST ONE FACTOR, one chemical, that is affected when dealing with substance use. Dopamine is the brain’s way of rewarding us or nature’s way of rewarding the brain for activities like eating and sex that are necessary to the survival of our species. Dopamine makes us …