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 general
• why it's totally normal to feel knocked over when your child is misusing substances
• when is the worst time to engage with your child
• our point of view on rock bottom
• a spolier alert if you're using the yell, blame, punish, restrict approach
• thoughts on kids who "just" use marijuana and harm reduction
• why Cathy wants you to go to a marijuana dispensary
• what you're 100% in control of

EPISODE RESOURCES:

• Huberman Labs Podcast on the effects of cannabis and marijuana on the brain and body
• The Marijuana episode on Hopestream with Dr. Nzinga Harrison
• Stages of Change podcast episode on Hopestream
• Two Sparrows in a Hurricane - Tanya Tucker

Research 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).  

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