I used to think I was broken—too sensitive, too emotional, too reactive, too much, or not enough. But the truth is, I wasn't hurt; I was grieving. And not the kind of grief that earns sympathy cards. I wasn't mourning someone who passed away; I was grieving someone who was right in front of me—my mom. 

Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnoses, refer to the presence of both a substance use disorder (SUD) and a mental health condition in the same person. This combination is much more common than most people realize. More than half of those with a substance use disorder will also experience a mental illness at some point in their lives, and vice versa.

The connection between mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness in America is undeniably complex. People dealing with mental health problems may turn to substances as a form of self-medication, increasing their risk of addiction. As substance use rises, it can lead to financial hardship, job loss, and broken relationships — all of which raise the chances of ending up unhoused. Conversely, the harsh and often traumatic conditions of homelessness can worsen existing men

The Role of Inner Child Healing in Overcoming Adult-Child Syndrome explores the importance of reconnecting with the inner child to address Adult-Child Syndrome (ACS).Stephanie Watterson is our author. Stephanie grew up in a home affected by mental illness, with a mother who struggled with mental health issues and an emotionally unavailable workaholic father.

Kirsten Rabuck collaborates with me as a co-author for this issue. She is a substance abuse counselor and an adult child of an alcoholic father, just like me. Together, we draw on our experiences as adult children to help others facing similar challenges.

Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional. Pain is a natural part of life, but it does not have to rule it. Our thoughts and perceptions about pain cause suffering. People needlessly suffer for many years with substance abuse addiction. Unfortunate events, problems, and disappointments are the first arrows that cause pain. The second arrow may be self-deprecating thoughts, self-blame, or getting down on yourself. The key is not to grab a substance, alcohol, or drugs to heal t

When you are in substance use recovery, you need a supportive community to surround, challenge, encourage, and bolster you.

Transformation allows people with adult-child syndrome (ACS) to take control of their lives and continue living a life of change.

Get professional help with addiction withdrawal and detox.  Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs can address all types of substance

Survival strategies for children of alcoholics often live on as adults.  , These survival strategies need to be unlearned and discarded.

According to the American Addiction Centers, 20.3 million adults diagnosed with SUDs, and more than a 1/3 also suffer from mental illness...

By Tom O’Connor and Lauren Grawert, MD, FASAM, Co-Authors Is there a recovery from Adult-Child Syndrome? Is there partial recovery?