Written by parenting and recovery experts, this important first book on healing the broken circle of the parent-child relationship helps parents take charge of their lives and make changes that will bring the whole family together. Topics include how to rebuild trust, break old patterns of codependence, and improve communication.

National expert Dr. Joseph Lee explains the nature of youth addiction and treatment, and how families can create a safe and supportive environment for their loved ones during treatment and throughout their recovery. Raising a child is tough as it is, but when your kid becomes addicted to alcohol or other drugs, it can feel as if you’re living a nightmare. You’re not alone. In Recovering My Kid, Dr. Joseph Lee, a leading youth addiction specialist, takes worried, confused, and angry parents by the hand and addresses their most pressing questions and fears: What is addiction? What happens when my child returns home from treatment? How can my family support his or her recovery? What if my child relapses? How can my family get well again?Getting your child and your family well again requires the support and understanding of the whole family, even if feelings and trust were damaged. In his engaging and straightforward style, Lee explains the difficult concepts of addiction, treatment, and recovery in a way parents and families can understand and gives them concrete strategies they can put into practice.This book will help family members begin to understand what their loved one is going through and how they can help the addict adjust to a clean-and-sober life while still taking care of themselves.

Rosemary O’Connor brings her many years of experience working with women in recovery to addressing the key life issues mothers face at all stages of their recovery path. Rosemary O’Connor brings her many years of experience working with women in recovery to addressing the key life issues mothers face at all stages of their recovery path. Recovering from an addiction is tough enough, but when you throw in the tremendous responsibilities of motherhood, resisting cravings and remaining abstinent—much less enjoying the rewards of sobriety—can seem like an impossible challenge. Rosemary O’Connor brings her many years of experience working with women in recovery to addressing the key life issues mothers face at all stages of their recovery path. At once affirming, engaging, and practical, A Sober Mom’s Guide to Recovery combines down-to-earth advice with the inspiring stories of recovering moms, including the author’s, to offer guidance on over fifty vital topics, including stress, relapse, relationships, sex and intimacy, spirituality, shame, gratitude, dating, and, of course, parenting. The result is an inspirational and practical handbook, not just for getting through the day, but for building a sense of well-being that radiates outward, allowing you to be present with your kids and loved ones, and find hope for the future.

Best-selling author Claudia Black, PhD introduces readers to five different families facing addiction and demonstrates how recovering parents talked with their kids about substance use disorders. Talking with your kids about alcohol use, drug use, and addiction can be difficult for any parent. For recovering parents, conversations with your children about substance use disorders are even more complex, urgent, and personal. In this revised and updated edition, foremost recovery author Claudia Black provides clear direction and gentle support for discussing your addiction with your children. In Straight Talk from Claudia Black, you will meet five very different families and explore with Dr. Black how each of the parents handled discussions about recovery, relapse, and their children’s own vulnerability to chronic, compulsive behaviors. Dr. Black also addresses the latest research on genetics and addiction as well as practical prevention strategies for raising resilient children. While you can’t make up for the past in a few conversations, and you can’t completely protect your children from the ominous scope of addiction, you can, with Dr. Black’s intelligent and sensitive guidance, move closer to becoming the parent your children deserve—and the parent you most want to be.

“These pages offer a community of compassion . . . Joy masterfully weaves engaging stories from moms . . . with the threads of her own wise guidance.”—Mary Anne Radmacher, author of Lean Forward into Your Life Being a mom is one of the hardest and most important jobs a woman can have. Being a mom in recovery is even more challenging. In Moms to Moms, counselor Barbara Joy shares the stories, advice, and inspiration from more than 60 mothers in recovery from across the United States who have struggled with addiction. These are women of all ages, races, and religious affiliations who candidly share their experiences: the challenges of being a mom in recovery, the values they want to teach their children, and their fears, struggles, and accomplishments. This is a book that offers help and hope to busy, stressed out moms in recovery; a book they can turn to again and again to find inspiration, comfort, and advice. Joy offers evaluation tools and strategies for positive parenting, journaling activities for reflections, and affirmations designed to relieve stress and reinforce positive behavior. “Being a mom is living a role. What every woman wants and needs is an authentic life of her own. So read and learn how to find your life and give birth to your new self.”—Bernie Siegel, M.D., #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love, Medicine and Miracles “This book is raw and real, yet loving and gentle. You will feel understood, validated, and inspired by Joy’s wisdom and practical advice. You will want to read this book cover to cover and then keep it on your nightstand for continuous inspiration.”—Jane Nelsen, author of Serenity and Positive Discipline

Give up guilt and shameRebuild trustCreate structure and routineImprove communicationsLearn parenting skills