Nancy Clifford

Finding Calm Amidst the Rough Waters of Your Child's Addiction

Article

My relationships are the most valuable things in my life.  But when our third child, a son, found himself in the throes of active addiction, my dream of an intact, united family flew out the window.
Joanna Conti

The Terror of Discovering Your Child Has an Addiction

Article

“We’re airlifting your daughter to shock trauma”, said the paramedic on the phone.  “Is she going to be OK?” I asked, barely able to speak.  “There’s a lot of blood” was the response and the line went dead.
Laura McKowen

Should I Say Something About Their Drinking?

Article

"I have worried about an extended family member's drinking for many years.  This family member is functional but drinks far more than is healthy.  This person is also very defensive (in general) and I do not think they would be open to hearing concern from me or anyone else... Should we wait until this person reaches out to us?"
Nancy Clifford

Want to Support Your Child's Recovery? Stop Rescuing!

Article

When parents finally “come in off the street” to get help with the serious substance abuse of their addicted child, in many ways we closely resemble our down-and-out addict with our worn, drawn faces, vacant stares, and slumped shoulders.
Christine Suhan

A Letter To My Children

Article

The genetic odds are not in your favor. You undoubtedly have the propensity to become addicted. But hear this, my sweet child. There is another way. And you don’t have to walk through hell to find it.

Nancy Clifford

Finding the Route to Recovery

Article

As parents of addicts, we each have our own “catastrophe” story. Whether we meet in support groups or battle alone, we become “initiated” into a club we never wished to join, as parents of sons and daughters with a potentially deadly, progressive brain disease.
Joanna Conti

How to Tell If Your Child Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem

Article

If you’re worried that your child may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, there’s a good chance your suspicions are correct.  While there are undoubtedly parents who worry unnecessarily, far more parents are clueless about how much and how often their kids are getting drunk or high.
Nancy Clifford

Transform Your Enabling Style into a Strength

Article

When addiction invades your home, it forces you to try to figure out how you might be able to help a child who seems beyond reach. Study your unique style of enabling to find your hidden strengths.
Pat Wittberger

Jenny's Journey

Article

As I picked up the telephone receiver, the tremulous voice at the other end was that of our youngest child, 19-year-old Jennifer.  "Mum"—the tone made my heart sink once more, as it had countless times in the past four years when Jenny would call us for help. "Mummy, I'm in Las Colinas. I've been arrested. I've had an accident..."

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