Download images from the book for children to color:
Shopping for costumes, piggybank, and the cover page.
Tips for Young People
Tips For Parents/Caregivers
You are not alone. There are millions of kids like you who have a relative or a friend who is struggling with drug or alcohol use.
It is important that you don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside.
It may be hard to talk to your parents or caretakers, but if you feel you can’t talk to them, don’t be afraid or ashamed to find another person with whom you can share. This might be a teacher or counselor at school, a clergy member, someone at a community organization, or another adult you trust.
Your loved one may act irritable or even mean when they are struggling with the disease of addiction. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you.
In this story, Sophia called her mom when Joey was unresponsive. It’s important to know who to call in case of an emergency. If you don’t get ahold of an adult, call 911.
Remember, there is treatment for people dealing with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) (this is the proper term for addiction). People can get better. There is help available and there are many different ways to get well.
Even if your loved one starts using drugs/alcohol again, this doesn’t mean they can’t get well. For some people it takes several attempts before they get better.
Above all, remember you did not cause your loved one’s SUD (addiction).
It is helpful to think about these 3 points, often called the 3 Cs (borrowed from 12-Step programs):
1. You didn’t Cause it. You did not cause your loved one to have the disease of addiction.
2. You can’t Control it. As much as you would like to, you cannot control your loved one’s disease of addiction.
3. You can’t Cure it. You cannot cure your loved one’s disease of addiction.
Educate yourself about Substance Use Disorder (SUD, the proper term for addiction).
Educate yourself about the many options for treatment. Some of these include 12-step programs, faith-based programs, individual or group therapy and counseling, pharmacotherapy (previously called medication-assisted treatment), including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and/or many other options.
Keep all medications in your home in a safe and secure place, and properly dispose of them when they are expired or no longer needed. Some young people may begin experimenting with drugs when they find prescription medications at home.
Know the signs and symptoms of someone who is using opioids, other drugs, or alcohol.
Keep a list of emergency contacts by the phone and make sure your children know whom to call and what to say if they need to make an emergency call.
If you suspect someone you know is at risk of misusing opioids, find out how to respond to an overdose, including where to obtain and how to administer Narcan. Keep several unexpired doses readily available. Since Narcan can only reverse an overdose for 30 to 90 minutes, it is still important to call 911 for medical help.
Resources
Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list. Different things work for different people. It is often important to seek professional help when dealing with a loved one’s SUD (addiction). Many of these resources may be helpful for both adults and children.
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
A U.S. government agency that provides treatment, referrals, and information services (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
SAMHSA’S National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
www.samhsa.gov
SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) Project:
The SAFE Project is a national nonprofit working to support an end to the opioid epidemic. To find out if Narcan is available in your state and how to obtain it, contact the SAFE Project.
Phone: (703) 216-9633
www.safeproject.us
State by state rules: www.safeproject.us/naloxone-awareness-project/state-rules/
USA.gov Mental Health & Substance Abuse:
Mental health and drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources.
www.usa.gov/mental-health-substance-abuse
ASAM: American Society of Addiction Medicine:
Medical society of physicians, clinicians and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.
Phone: (301) 656-3920
www.asam.org
Faces & Voices of Recovery:
Information and advocacy group dedicated to organizing and mobilizing Americans in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, as well as their families, friends, and allies. Works to eliminate stigma, and demonstrate the power of long-term recovery.
Phone: (202) 737-0690
www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Partnership to End Addiction:
An organization that runs campaigns to prevent teenage drug and alcohol use.
www.drugfree.org
Text the word “connect” to 55753, or visit the website to schedule a phone call.
NACoA: National Association of Children of Alcoholics:
NACoA seeks to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families.
Phone: (888) 554-COAS (2627)
or (301) 468-0985
www.nacoa.org
Addiction Guide:
Provides updated information about addiction and recovery.
(866) 698-0737
www.addictionguide.com
Allies In Recovery: Allies in Recovery is a web-based program that focuses on training family members with loved ones affected by substance use disorders. It provides comprehensive trainings on a variety of topics using the principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT).
https://alliesinrecovery.net/
Eluna supports children and families impacted by grief or addiction. Eluna’s innovative resources and programs address the critical needs of children experiencing powerful, overwhelming and often confusing emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance use disorder in their family. No child should have to face these struggles alone, and Eluna’s unique programs bring kids together to ease their pain and provide the tools to help restore hope.
One program they run is Camp Mariposa, a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9 to 17 who have been impacted by the substance use disorder of a family member. Youth attend transformational weekend camps and participate in fun traditional camp experiences combined with educational and support sessions, all at no cost.
Mutual Aid Groups for Friends and Families
In many mutual aid groups, there are specialized meetings for individuals of any identity, including but not limited to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, API, neurodiversity, ability, gender, etc. Check their websites for details.
12-Step Based
Al-Anon Family Groups: a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. (The twelve-steps of Al-Anon are adapted from the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)). Although Al-Anon primarily began for people affected by someone else’s drinking, increasingly people who are affected by someone else’s drug use attend meetings.
www.al-anon.org
Alateen: a part of Al-Anon Family Groups. A Fellowship for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use.
www.al-anon.org
Nar-Anon Family Group: a 12-Step Group for Families and Friends of those with SUD (addiction), primarily drug addiction.
www.nar-anon.org
Narateen: a part of the worldwide fellowship of Nar-Anon Family Groups for young people whose lives have been affected by a relative or friend’s SUD.
narateen@nar-anon.org
Adult Children of Alcoholics: support for individuals who desire to recover from the effects of growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family.
www.adultchildren.org
Families Anonymous: FA is a 12-step fellowship for families and friends of individuals with drug, alcohol, or related behavioral issues.
www.familiesanonymous.org
Primarily Non 12-Step
Learn to Cope: a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support, and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opioids or other drugs. Primarily in the northeast and Florida.
www.learn2cope.org
SMART Recovery Family & Friends: a science-based program for family members of people living with addiction. SMART Recovery Family & Friends has meetings in many cities.
www.smartrecovery.org
Recovery Dharma: peer-led movement and community. The program uses the Buddhist practice of meditation, self-inquiry, wisdom, compassion and community as tools for recovery and healing. Some of their meetings are open to friends and family.
www.recoverydharma.org
LifeRing Secular Recovery: LSR is a secular non-profit that provides peer-run addiction recovery groups. It also assists partners, family members and friends of addicts or alcoholics.
www.lifering.org
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones: PAL is a Christian-run non-profit based on one founding phrase: “People helping people through the woods.” PAL meetings are usually run weekly and provide support for parents who have children who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
www.palgroup.org
Grief Support After Substance Passing: GRASP is a community designed to support people who have lost someone they love to addiction and overdose.
www.grasphelp.org
There are many online/social media-based support groups. One of the largest is theaddictsmom.com. Their credo is “sharing without shame.” There are over 25,000 members with chapters in every state.
Happy to have my book is listed on the Eluna network list of “Best Books to Support Youth Affected by a Family Member’s Substance Use Disorder.”
Download images from the book for children to color:
Shopping for costumes, piggybank, and the cover page.
Tips for Young People
Tips For Parents/Caregivers
You are not alone. There are millions of kids like you who have a relative or a friend who is struggling with drug or alcohol use.
It is important that you don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside.
It may be hard to talk to your parents or caretakers, but if you feel you can’t talk to them, don’t be afraid or ashamed to find another person with whom you can share. This might be a teacher or counselor at school, a clergy member, someone at a community organization, or another adult you trust.
Your loved one may act irritable or even mean when they are struggling with the disease of addiction. That doesn’t mean they don’t love you.
In this story, Sophia called her mom when Joey was unresponsive. It’s important to know who to call in case of an emergency. If you don’t get ahold of an adult, call 911.
Remember, there is treatment for people dealing with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) (this is the proper term for addiction). People can get better. There is help available and there are many different ways to get well.
Even if your loved one starts using drugs/alcohol again, this doesn’t mean they can’t get well. For some people it takes several attempts before they get better.
Above all, remember you did not cause your loved one’s SUD (addiction).
It is helpful to think about these 3 points, often called the 3 Cs (borrowed from 12-Step programs):
1. You didn’t Cause it. You did not cause your loved one to have the disease of addiction.
2. You can’t Control it. As much as you would like to, you cannot control your loved one’s disease of addiction.
3. You can’t Cure it. You cannot cure your loved one’s disease of addiction.
Educate yourself about Substance Use Disorder (SUD, the proper term for addiction).
Educate yourself about the many options for treatment. Some of these include 12-step programs, faith-based programs, individual or group therapy and counseling, pharmacotherapy (previously called medication-assisted treatment), including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), and/or many other options.
Keep all medications in your home in a safe and secure place, and properly dispose of them when they are expired or no longer needed. Some young people may begin experimenting with drugs when they find prescription medications at home.
Know the signs and symptoms of someone who is using opioids, other drugs, or alcohol.
Keep a list of emergency contacts by the phone and make sure your children know whom to call and what to say if they need to make an emergency call.
If you suspect someone you know is at risk of misusing opioids, find out how to respond to an overdose, including where to obtain and how to administer Narcan. Keep several unexpired doses readily available. Since Narcan can only reverse an overdose for 30 to 90 minutes, it is still important to call 911 for medical help.
Resources
Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list. Different things work for different people. It is often important to seek professional help when dealing with a loved one’s SUD (addiction). Many of these resources may be helpful for both adults and children.
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
A U.S. government agency that provides treatment, referrals, and information services (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
SAMHSA’S National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
www.samhsa.gov
SAFE (Stop the Addiction Fatality Epidemic) Project:
The SAFE Project is a national nonprofit working to support an end to the opioid epidemic. To find out if Narcan is available in your state and how to obtain it, contact the SAFE Project.
Phone: (703) 216-9633
www.safeproject.us
State by state rules: www.safeproject.us/naloxone-awareness-project/state-rules/
USA.gov Mental Health & Substance Abuse:
Mental health and drug and alcohol addiction treatment resources.
www.usa.gov/mental-health-substance-abuse
ASAM: American Society of Addiction Medicine:
Medical society of physicians, clinicians and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine.
Phone: (301) 656-3920
www.asam.org
Faces & Voices of Recovery:
Information and advocacy group dedicated to organizing and mobilizing Americans in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs, as well as their families, friends, and allies. Works to eliminate stigma, and demonstrate the power of long-term recovery.
Phone: (202) 737-0690
www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org
Partnership to End Addiction:
An organization that runs campaigns to prevent teenage drug and alcohol use.
www.drugfree.org
Text the word “connect” to 55753, or visit the website to schedule a phone call.
NACoA: National Association of Children of Alcoholics:
NACoA seeks to eliminate the adverse impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families.
Phone: (888) 554-COAS (2627)
or (301) 468-0985
www.nacoa.org
Addiction Guide:
Provides updated information about addiction and recovery.
(866) 698-0737
www.addictionguide.com
Allies In Recovery: Allies in Recovery is a web-based program that focuses on training family members with loved ones affected by substance use disorders. It provides comprehensive trainings on a variety of topics using the principles of Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT).
https://alliesinrecovery.net/
Eluna supports children and families impacted by grief or addiction. Eluna’s innovative resources and programs address the critical needs of children experiencing powerful, overwhelming and often confusing emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance use disorder in their family. No child should have to face these struggles alone, and Eluna’s unique programs bring kids together to ease their pain and provide the tools to help restore hope.
One program they run is Camp Mariposa, a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth ages 9 to 17 who have been impacted by the substance use disorder of a family member. Youth attend transformational weekend camps and participate in fun traditional camp experiences combined with educational and support sessions, all at no cost.
Mutual Aid Groups for Friends and Families
In many mutual aid groups, there are specialized meetings for individuals of any identity, including but not limited to LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, API, neurodiversity, ability, gender, etc. Check their websites for details.
12-Step Based
Al-Anon Family Groups: a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. (The twelve-steps of Al-Anon are adapted from the 12-steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)). Although Al-Anon primarily began for people affected by someone else’s drinking, increasingly people who are affected by someone else’s drug use attend meetings.
www.al-anon.org
Alateen: a part of Al-Anon Family Groups. A Fellowship for young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use.
www.al-anon.org
Nar-Anon Family Group: a 12-Step Group for Families and Friends of those with SUD (addiction), primarily drug addiction.
www.nar-anon.org
Narateen: a part of the worldwide fellowship of Nar-Anon Family Groups for young people whose lives have been affected by a relative or friend’s SUD.
narateen@nar-anon.org
Adult Children of Alcoholics: support for individuals who desire to recover from the effects of growing up in an alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional family.
www.adultchildren.org
Families Anonymous: FA is a 12-step fellowship for families and friends of individuals with drug, alcohol, or related behavioral issues.
www.familiesanonymous.org
Primarily Non 12-Step
Learn to Cope: a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support, and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opioids or other drugs. Primarily in the northeast and Florida.
www.learn2cope.org
SMART Recovery Family & Friends: a science-based program for family members of people living with addiction. SMART Recovery Family & Friends has meetings in many cities.
www.smartrecovery.org
Recovery Dharma: peer-led movement and community. The program uses the Buddhist practice of meditation, self-inquiry, wisdom, compassion and community as tools for recovery and healing. Some of their meetings are open to friends and family.
www.recoverydharma.org
LifeRing Secular Recovery: LSR is a secular non-profit that provides peer-run addiction recovery groups. It also assists partners, family members and friends of addicts or alcoholics.
www.lifering.org
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones: PAL is a Christian-run non-profit based on one founding phrase: “People helping people through the woods.” PAL meetings are usually run weekly and provide support for parents who have children who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.
www.palgroup.org
Grief Support After Substance Passing: GRASP is a community designed to support people who have lost someone they love to addiction and overdose.
www.grasphelp.org
There are many online/social media-based support groups. One of the largest is theaddictsmom.com. Their credo is “sharing without shame.” There are over 25,000 members with chapters in every state.
Glossary
Substance Use Disorder—SUD (Addiction) — There are different definitions of SUD. Most professionals consider SUD a disease in which the individual compulsively seeks drugs/alcohol despite harmful and sometimes long-lasting consequences.
Opioid—A natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic substance that produces narcotic effects including pain relief, sedation, slowed breathing, and euphoria. A doctor may prescribe some FDA approved opioids for medical uses such as pain relief, but sometimes people end up taking more than the doctor prescribed, or buying more of it even when their prescription has run out. When opioids are misused, they can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death. Many well-known, commonly used medications (such as Percocet, Xanax/Klonopin, and Norco/Vicodin) illegally obtained are now being mixed with Fentanyl or other dangerous substances that make it much more potent and greatly increases the risk of overdose.
Heroin—A powerful opioid obtained illegally (not with doctor’s prescription) used for its euphoric effects. It can cause respiratory depression, impaired mental functioning and lead to addiction, overdose, and even death. Heroin is sometimes adulterated (mixed) with Fentanyl, Carfentanil, or other dangerous substances that make it much more potent and greatly increases the risk of overdose.
Fentanyl/Carfentanil—Synthetic opioids which are many times stronger than heroin.
Naloxone (Sold under the brand name Narcan) — A legal medication used to block the effects of opioids. Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose. This is the medicine that the EMTs gave Joey in the story. Adults can obtain Narcan and anyone, including children, can learn how to use it. Narcan nasal spray is easily administered. It has no major side effects. If you or anyone you know is struggling with substance use disorder, you can learn how to use Narcan and keep it in your home. It is good to have several unexpired doses available.
To find out if Narcan is available in your state and how to obtain it, contact the SAFE Project at 703-216-9633 or at www.safeproject.us
You can also check www.getnaloxonenow.org
Harm Reduction — A set of practical strategies aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use, including various ways to prevent and respond to drug overdoses.
Rehab — Short for rehabilitation, rehab is a program where one can receive treatment for SUD, either at a residential facility or outpatient program.
Good Samaritan Laws —Good Samaritan drug overdose laws provide immunity from legal consequences for possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia when individuals who are experiencing or witnessing an overdose summon emergency services. Good Samaritan Laws vary by state. Please check on the updated laws in your state.
Recovery High Schools— Recovery high schools are public or private schools where students can earn a high school diploma while they are supported in their recovery from alcohol and drug use.
Recovery Colleges and Universities—A growing number of colleges and universities offer resources and support for students with SUD. Collegiate Recovery Programs (CRP) vary by location but often offer sober housing, self-help programs, individual counseling, and sober events. Find more information by visiting www.collegiaterecovery.org or emailing info@recoveryanswers.org