“I’m Done”
I have heard that phrase hundreds of times from parents who are at their wits end with their addicted loved one. I know the feeling.
VOICES – Pain Into Purpose
I can hold a hand, lend an ear, and watch over with care. For them. For me. But also, in honor of my child. Addiction has hacked my child from my life, but he will be with me every step of the way as I move forward.
The Blame Game
Addiction is a wily disease, a master at ensuring its own survival. We can behave in ways that won’t help it.
Riding Out The Storm
Families struggling with addiction know the storm—they know loss and know life can unravel in a split second.
Go Within to Find Your Peace
The spiritual work we have done up until now has been practice for the real inner work we must do now to keep our balance in these life and death times.
A Steep Climb for Relationships
Figuring out how to help each other while figuring out how to help our children.
A Beloved Son, an Addiction, and an Honest Obituary
When Travis died from an overdose at the age of twenty-five, it was important to keep telling the truth, even in his obituary.
Love Them Like It Is Your Last Day Together!
I have done my best to reach my daughter. And whether or not I’ve been successful, I can rest easy knowing that she knows, if nothing else, that she is loved.
A Heart of Peace
What if we could begin to understand that recovery is not only possible but probable? What if love and kindness really can change outcomes?
The Prodigal Son: It’s Not the One You Think
Let us not go through life as do-gooders with sourpuss hearts. Let us live joyfully with grateful hearts.
We Have The Power
As parents who love a child suffering with the disease of addiction, we may often feel fragile, but we are strong. And we are many.
No More Shame, No More Silence
Shame and silence—without them, addiction couldn’t survive. Without them, addiction couldn’t thrive, couldn’t hide, couldn’t continue its deadly march forward, consuming and killing our children in droves.
Where Love and Addiction Meet
When a child is born, so is a parent. Full of love and good intentions, we do our best (and hope for the best), believing that things will somehow turn out okay…
Letters to My Child
Powerful letters written by a mother to her son, titled “Heavenly Birthday” and “My Closet”.
The Chasing Sanity Podcast
Sandy Swenson chats with host Derek Talkington about her story and advocacy work, loving a child struggling with addiction, and turning pain into power. Interview begins at minute 5:14.
Rise Above The Noise
For every child struggling with addiction, let’s show them we are people who care. A beautiful music video with Maureen Cavanagh and her daughter, based on her book, “If You Love Me”.
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