Resources
Trusted Resources to Support Individuals and Families Struggling With Addiction
Webinars
Supporting a Loved One with Substance Use Disorder
Understanding the Teen Brain – How to Help Them Stay Well
Boundaries & CoDependency
Understanding How Addiction Affects the Brain
Discussion Guides
How to Talk to Children About Substances
It is more important than ever to talk about substance use with our children. Oftentimes, parents put off the topic of discussion until after their child is of high school age. While it is still beneficial to discuss substance use with teenage children, it is often too late.
Click to download these age-appropriate discussion guides, created by licensed clinicians, for ways to open up the conversation and discuss substance use.
FAQs
Call, or have someone call 911 immediately. DO NOT try and provide any care to the individual prior to making this call. If you have NARCAN* administer it immediately after the 911 call has been made. If the person is not breathing, and you are certified in CPR, begin the process of life saving measures until emergency services have arrived or the individual has begun breathing on their own.
*NARCAN, also known as naloxone, is a life saving medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be obtained over the counter at most local pharmacies.
Herren Project offers support and education to those struggling with the substance use of a loved one. We believe that individuals need to want treatment for themselves, however there are things that family members and friends can do to help move them towards wanting a life of recovery. Herren Project offers mentoring and online support groups for families struggling. For more information on support groups please visit the website at Online Support Groups, or reach out to our team at 401-243-8590 ext 1.
Herren Project partners with reputable facilities across the country that provide quality treatment for substance use disorder. We offer a team of professionals that can help you to navigate the process. Our team can be reached at (844) 543-8555 or you can fill out our application and you will hear from a member of our team within 48 hours.
A drug and alcohol detox is a medical facility where people go to break the addiction to a physically addictive substance. A stay usually lasts 5-7 days. Common physically addictive substances that require detox for medical stabilization are: opiates (such as heroin, percocet, vicodin, oxycontin), alcohol, benzodiazepine (such as klonopin, valium, Xanax). Many of these substances can be dangerous to detox without proper medical care.
A rehabilitation facility is an inpatient facility where people go to break the dependency on a psychoactive substance such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs. The typical stay is 28 days.
Reach out to a trusted adult in your community, such as a counselor, a parent, a teacher, or a coach. They can assist you on finding the proper resources in your community.
A half way house is a transitional living facility typically utilized after an inpatient stay for those in recovery from substance use disorder. Some half way houses require residents to pass routine drug and alcohol screening. These residences are typically in the community, and assist people in reintegration post treatment. Half way houses are typically staffed 24 hours a day, but do not offer clinical services.
A sober house is a residence within the community that is typically overseen by a house manager that is in long term recovery. Many sober houses require residents to pass routine drug and alcohol screening, and offer a structured supportive environment for those in the early stages of recovery.
Call, or have someone call 911 immediately. DO NOT try and provide any care to the individual prior to making this call. If you have NARCAN* administer it immediately after the 911 call has been made. If the person is not breathing, and you are certified in CPR, begin the process of life saving measures until emergency services have arrived or the individual has begun breathing on their own.
*NARCAN, also known as naloxone, is a life saving medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be obtained over the counter at most local pharmacies.
Herren Project offers support and education to those struggling with the substance use of a loved one. We believe that individuals need to want treatment for themselves, however there are things that family members and friends can do to help move them towards wanting a life of recovery. Herren Project offers mentoring and online support groups for families struggling. For more information on support groups please visit the website at Online Support Groups, or reach out to our team at 401-243-8590 ext 1.
Herren Project partners with reputable facilities across the country that provide quality treatment for substance use disorder. We offer a team of professionals that can help you to navigate the process. Our team can be reached at (844) 543-8555 or you can fill out our application and you will hear from a member of our team within 48 hours.
A drug and alcohol detox is a medical facility where people go to break the addiction to a physically addictive substance. A stay usually lasts 5-7 days. Common physically addictive substances that require detox for medical stabilization are: opiates (such as heroin, percocet, vicodin, oxycontin), alcohol, benzodiazepine (such as klonopin, valium, Xanax). Many of these substances can be dangerous to detox without proper medical care.
A rehabilitation facility is an inpatient facility where people go to break the dependency on a psychoactive substance such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs. The typical stay is 28 days.
Reach out to a trusted adult in your community, such as a counselor, a parent, a teacher, or a coach. They can assist you on finding the proper resources in your community.
A half way house is a transitional living facility typically utilized after an inpatient stay for those in recovery from substance use disorder. Some half way houses require residents to pass routine drug and alcohol screening. These residences are typically in the community, and assist people in reintegration post treatment. Half way houses are typically staffed 24 hours a day, but do not offer clinical services.
A sober house is a residence within the community that is typically overseen by a house manager that is in long term recovery. Many sober houses require residents to pass routine drug and alcohol screening, and offer a structured supportive environment for those in the early stages of recovery.
Parent Resources
Herren Project
Addiction Help and Support For Families
https://herrenproject.org/family-support-resources/
NIDA
Facts for Parents on Teen Drug Use
www.drugabuse.gov/parents
Partnership to End Addiction
Parents Resources and Helpline 1-855-378-4373 (Monday-Friday 10am-6pm)
https://drugfree.org/
Al-Anon
Place where individuals affected by someone else’s alcoholism share and provide hope for each other
www.al-anon.org
Family Resource Center
Empowering Families to Understand and Address a Child’s Substance Use.
familyresourcectr.org
Codependents Anonymous
A fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships
www.coda.org
Learn to Cope
Education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs
www.learn2cope.org
Addiction Lessons
Love the Kid, Hate the Disease. Lessons learned from a dad dealing with his son’s addiction.
https://addictionlessons.com/
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation
www.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA Family Resource Booklet
What is Substance Abuse Treatment?
www.samhsa.gov
Families Anonymous
For relatives and friends concerned about the use of drugs or related behavioral problems
www.familiesanonymous.org
Help & Treatment
Herren Project
Get Help Now
Call Toll Free: 844-543-8555 (9:00am – 4:00pm)
www.herrenproject.org
SAMHSA National Helpline
Treatment Referral Service 24/7, 365 days/yr
1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889
www.samhsa.gov
MA Alliance for Sober Housing
Listing of Certified Sober Houses within Massachusetts
www.mashsoberhousing.org
Spanish Language Treatment Assistance
Asistencia para el tratamiento del idioma español
www.samhsa.gov
Recovery Meetings & Programs
Alcoholics Anonymous
Find a meeting, access daily reflection and get support.
www.aa.org
Narcotics Anonymous
Find a Meeting, Access Literature and Get Support
www.na.org
Refuge Recovery
A Buddhist Inspired Path to Recovery from Addiction
www.refugerecovery.org
Family Support Groups
Herren Project
Online support groups for families and loved ones including a grief group
www.herrenproject.org/online-support-groups
Al-Anon / Alateen
Find a meeting, support for family members and teens
www.al-anon.org
Young People in Recovery
Training and networks for individuals, families and communities to recover
www.youngpeopleinrecovery.org
Learn to Cope
Education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs
www.learn2cope.org
Parents of Addicts Support
Connecting families, overcoming addiction
Resources Education Support Together (REST)
EMPOWERING families through education, support and access to training and resources
www.resthelps.org
Disposing of RX
DEA National Take Back Day
The DEA’s Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to prevent drug addiction and overdose deaths. Held twice a year in the Fall and Spring, check for locations and dates in your community.
www.takebackday.dea.gov
Lock Your Meds: Safely Store Your Prescription Medications
Take the pledge to lock up your medications safely. Order locking medicine cases and materials to educate your loved ones on the danger of not safely storing prescription drugs in your home.
www.lockyourmeds.org
Preventing Overdose
Get Naloxone Now
Evidence-based education, training and resources about opioid-associated overdose and naloxone.
www.getnaloxonenow.org
SAMHSA Overdose Prevention Toolkit
This toolkit offers strategies to health care providers, communities, and local governments for developing practices and policies to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths.
www.samhsa.gov
International Overdose Awareness Day
International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.
www.overdoseday.com
Books We Love
Saving Jake
by D’anne Burwell
www.savingjakebook.com
A Beautiful Boy
by David Sheff
https://david-sheff.squarespace.com/beautiful-boy
Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Behavior and Start Caring for Yourself
by Melody Beattie
www.melodybeattie.com
If You Love Me: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Daughter’s Opioid Addiction
by Maureen Cavanagh
https://maureencavanagh.net/
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life
by Laura McKowen
https://www.lauramckowen.com/books
“We all have ‘why’ inside. Most of us are afraid to talk about it. We just don’t want to recognize the beginning.” – Chris Herren
“We all have ‘why’ inside. Most of us are afraid to talk about it. We just don’t want to recognize the beginning.” – Chris Herren
WE’RE HERE TO HELP: (844) 543-8555