The Incredible Influence of Parents When Your Child Struggles with Substance Misuse or Addiction, with Cathy Cioth

ABOUT THE EPISODE:A common feeling parents express when they have a child struggling with substance misuse or addiction is helplessness. It feels as though day-to-day events whiplash you around, and there's nothing you can do to help create stability or calm - let alone encourage your child to accept help. The good news is there are ways to wield great influence in your home, with your child who struggles, and in your relationships in general. In this candid conversation with my business partner Cathy, we talk about how parents can begin to take back some control and positively influence what's happening. It's empowering and uplifting, and we go on a tangent or two, as usual when we're talking to each other.You'll hear:why we shouldn't wait till everything is "right" to enjoy our kids and life in generalwhy it's totally normal to feel knocked over when your child is misusing substanceswhen is the worst time to engage with your childour point of view on rock bottoma spolier alert if you're using the yell, blame, punish, restrict approachthoughts on kids who "just" use marijuana and harm reductionwhy Cathy wants you to go to a marijuana dispensarywhat you're 100% in control ofEPISODE RESOURCES:Huberman Labs Podcast on the effects of cannabis and marijuana on the brain and bodyThe Marijuana episode on Hopestream with Dr. Nzinga HarrisonStages of Change podcast episode on HopestreamTwo Sparrows in a Hurricane - Tanya TuckerResearch on parent’s influence: According to Marlowe et al. (1996), substance abusers reported that family members exerted substantially more influence over their decision to enter treatment than other sources of influence, including legal pressures exerted by court-mandated treatment. Research has also shown that family members and significant others can be important resources in treating drug abuse (Azrin, 1976; Garrett et al., 1997; McGillicuddy, Rychtarik, Duquette, & Morsheimer, 2001; O'Farrell & Fals-Stewart, 2003; Sisson & Azrin, 1986; Szapocznik, Kurtines, Foote, Perez-Vidal, & Hervis, 1983; Thomas & Santa, 1982).  This podcast is part of a nonprofit called Hopestream CommunityLearn about The Stream, our private online community for momsFind us on Instagram hereWatch the podcast on YouTube hereDownload a free e-book, Worried Sick: A Compassionate Guide For Parents When Your Teen or Young Adult Child Misuses Drugs and AlcoholHopestream Community is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Amazon Associate. We may make a small commission if you purchase from our links.