If you are a parent of an addicted loved one or know someone who is, you are invited to join a weekly group support meeting, Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL).
When family members realize that a loved one is struggling with substance abuse and addiction, a broad range of feelings often arise: anger, guilt, fear, loss, denial. The next big question is often, What now?
RBC hosts a weekly PAL support group to educate and help families with issues arising from an adult loved one battling an addiction. Each PAL group is facilitated by a peer walking the same path. While the focus is on parents with an addicted adult child, all family members and friends age 18 and older are welcome to attend PAL meetings. Meetings are open to anyone of any faith or background, as our primary goal is to provide hope through education and support for those dealing with addicted loved ones.
What to Expect at a PAL Group Meeting
A PAL group meeting has two parts: an educational component and a sharing component. Typical PAL meetings follow the same general pattern. Each meeting begins with prayer, followed by stating group guidelines and introductions, then exploring and discussing an educational topic. Lastly, members can share their struggles or victories with their loved ones. The meeting ends with prayer.
During discussion and sharing, differences in opinion are heard without judgment, and suggestions are offered instead of advice. Because everyone experiences the journey at their own pace and is supported by the group regardless, participants are encouraged to “take what works and leave the rest.”
Meeting Time and Location
We will continue our weekly PAL meetings virtually via Zoom meetings. We meet Mondays from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. If you are just finding out about PAL and are interested in joining us at our weekly meetings, please respond to pal@restonbible.org. We will use your email to send an invitation to our online meeting.
Fred Leamnson will serve as facilitator. If you have any questions, you can send him an email at pal@restonbible.org.
A Word from the Facilitator
My name is Fred Leamnson. My wife, Cathy, and I are the parents of an adult son, Jason, who battled heroin addiction for a dozen or more years. In May 2018, he went into recovery. God answered our prayer to break the grip of addiction on our son.
However, addicts and parents alike know the journey is never over. Relapse is often part of recovery. Jason is no exception. During periods of recovery, addicts often convince themselves that drinking or marijuana use will be okay, only to find themselves in the throes of addiction again. One thing Cathy and I know for certain: Parents dealing with an adult son or daughter battling addiction have a special set of problems. They often feel alone, embarrassed, and isolated.
For years during Jason’s active addiction, we prayed for a recovery group focused on parents. We learned about Pal in the summer of 2018. Pal offers parents dealing with this horrible disease a chance to meet, learn, and discuss their situations with parents who are dealing with the same issues. Hearing from others walking in your shoes makes all the difference.
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) was developed by Mike Speakman, a Christian who spent over thirty years as an addiction counselor and saw this need in the recovery system. PAL provides hope and support through addiction education for parents dealing with an addicted loved one. Please watch the video below to hear from PAL attendees’ experiences as participants in the group.