“I’m afraid of never finding people that understand”

~ Jason Schwartz

I recently listened to this episode from the podcast Rumble Strip. Erica Heilman interviews a high school senior whose mom and grandmother are addicted.

She’s a really impressive young woman. I hope she’s doing well in college. (This was recorded a year or two ago.)

This interview does a great job illuminating the effects of addiction on kids. Jesse seems very resilient and you get the sense she’s going to be ok. (Though it’s easy to imagine she pretty good at giving the impression everything is ok.) It’s harder to think about a kid who’s less resilient.

It’s a great illustration of what’s at stake when a parent is addicted.

We need a full array of treatment options of adequate quality, duration, and intensity accompanied by assertive outreach and good information that allows patients and families to make informed decisions in a marketplace that’s rife with hype and greed.

Published by Jason Schwartz

I have been an addiction professional and social worker since 1994. I started blogging in 2005 as the Clinical Director at Dawn Farm. I no longer work at Dawn Farm and am now the Director of Behavioral Medicine at a community hospital, and a lecturer at Eastern Michigan University’s School of Social Work. Views expressed here are my own. Keep in mind that the field, the contexts in which the field operates, and my views have changed over time.

One thought on ““I’m afraid of never finding people that understand””

  1. My heart bleeds for her, what a world we live in. But also: what strength she has. I hope she will find rest, peace and safety with people who accept and understand what has been put upon her shoulders. Sending hugs.
    xx, Feeling

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