Parents in Recovery

I am just like other parents, except... Parents in Recovery is not a book about how to parent. It is also not a book about how to get sober. Instead, it is meant to be a guide for parents in recovery (PIRs) from substance use disorders that provides insights and strategies for coping with the many unique and not so unique, challenges they may face. It is also intended to give the loved ones and families of PIRs an inside look at this world and explain why certain changes and behaviors are necessary to maintain long-term recovery. Each chapter is an integration of research, the voices of parents in recovery, input from addiction treatment experts, parent recovery wisdom suggestions and the authors past journal accounts. This guidebook can support mothers and fathers in navigating their way through parenting with a sober lifestylewhich includes physical, emotional, social, spiritual, behavioral, environmental, and vocational wellness. It is written for those who have embraced sobriety before, during or after becoming a parent and can serve as a job-aid on this journey. Key topics include love and marriage, family systems, work and life balance, self-care, parenting types, sober socializing, coping with hard times, mental health and recovery pride. This book also addresses modern-day challenges, including the use of electronics, social media, career identity, social trends, non-traditional parental roles and living in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world. While many parents feel shame associated with aspects of their addiction, this book emphasizes the gifts and accomplishments of being in recovery and how they positively impact the entire family system.