New lifeline for parents struggling with addicted kids comes to Mass.

BOSTON — Parents of young adults struggling with addiction say it's painful and isolating. But a new partnership in Massachusetts is offering a lifeline for families, and it all hinges on parent coaches who know all too well what they're going through.

“This thing that we'd never anticipated or imagined had rocked our world completely,” said Rachael Robiner of Sudbury.

She was shocked when the darkness of addiction gripped one of her two sons.

“If our child had been diagnosed with leukemia, we'd have casseroles arriving at our door.  Instead, we sat all by ourselves we didn't know who turn to or what to do.  We felt embarrassed and ashamed," said Robiner.

REMOVING THE STIGMA

The goal of a joint venture by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center and the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids is removing that stigma and offering a place to turn.

Executive Director Michael Botticelli describes their mission as “Hearing what parents need, hearing what their child needs and really developing a tailored action plan for them.”

The program offers a free website loaded with trusted resources, focused here in Massachusetts.

It also connects families to real people through a helpline, texts, and email.

“It's crucial that they not only get support from professionals but they also get access to peers who have been through this,” Botticelli said.

PARENT COACHES WHO’VE BEEN THROUGH IT ALL 

Rachael is one of the voices on the end of that line.  Her son is in long-term recovery.

After hours of training, She's now a part of a network of parent coaches in the state providing help and hope.

“One of the most surprising things for me has been the comfort that we can bring to other parents in talking to them on the phone, listening, sharing our story,” said Robiner.

The program launched June 6.  If it's a success, the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids hopes to duplicate it in other states.

IF YOUR CHILD IS STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION, RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE NOW.

Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center  / Partnership for Drug-Free Kids

Call: 844-319-5999

Text: hopema to 55753

Web: graykenaddictionsupport.org/

Cox Media Group