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Thinking of parents who have children still using or incarcerated this holiday

It’s a different kind of grief.

Knowing that the child you love is behind bars or in them. Still struggling with that demon known as addiction. There is a lot of stress in families this time of year that they are not the ‘Norman Rockwell’ painting of togetherness.

I remember how we’d discuss this every year in Families Anonymous. If our child was still using and not in recovery, this time of year was especially hard. For parents of those incarcerated due to their addiction, it was hard. While it’s definitely hard if you’ve lost a child, I don’t have that worry about “getting that call.” Because I’ve already gotten that call. Sending all of you hope for this season.

Even if you relapse, we love you

Published by

Anne Moss Rogers

I am an emotionally naked mental health speaker, and author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. I raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost my younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. I help people foster a culture of connection to prevent suicide, reduce substance misuse and find life after loss. My motivational mental health keynotes, training and workshop topics include suicide prevention, addiction, mental illness, anxiety, coping strategies/resilience, and grief. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now the legacy I try and carry forward in my son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website. Trained in ASIST and trainer for the evidence-based 4-hour training for everyone called safeTALK.

5 thoughts on “Thinking of parents who have children still using or incarcerated this holiday”

  1. That was wonderful to bring more awareness on this subject. Let’s not forget the less fortunate or people in tough circumstances such as this. Thank you for bringing light to this particular season.

    Reply

  2. What a thoughtful post Anne Moss. I’m not sure the average person totally grasp loss and lost it’s simply a death. As we know from what we have gone through, it is not that straightforward so remembering all of you still having hopes for your sons and daughters. Happy Thanksgiving.

    Reply

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