Hopestream is the defacto resource for parents who have a teen or young adult child who’s misusing drugs or alcohol, hosted by Brenda Zane. Brenda is a Mayo Clinic Certified health & wellness coach, CRAFT Parent Coach, and mom of a son who nearly lost his life to addiction. Guests include addiction, prevention, and treatment experts, family members impacted by their loved one’s substance use, and wellness and self-care specialists. You’ll also hear heartfelt messages from me, your host. It’s a safe, nurturing respite from the chaos and confusion you live with. We gather in our private communities between the episodes, The Stream for moms and The Woods for dads. Learn more at www.hopestreamcommunity.org.
When you first discover or suspect your teen is experimenting with drugs or alcohol, it’s natural to want to look away. As one parent who’s been through this journey shares, sometimes it feels easier in the short term to bury your head in the sand and hope the problem disappears on its own. But today’s
Wilderness therapy represents a unique intersection of professional clinical care and outdoor experiential learning. For parents considering this option for their struggling teen or young adult, understanding its history, effectiveness, and how to choose quality programs is essential. The Evolution of Wilderness Therapy in America The roots of wilderness therapy reach back nearly a century.
Substance use disorder affects families across all racial and ethnic backgrounds, but the experience of addiction—and access to treatment—varies dramatically depending on race. This episode tackles an uncomfortable truth: despite having lower rates of substance use disorder than some other populations, Black communities face systemic barriers that create devastating outcomes. Understanding Substance Use Disorder Rates
When substance use disorders enter a family, they don’t discriminate based on wealth, status, or public profile. Aaron and Lin Sternlicht, therapists who run Family Addiction Specialists in New York, understand this reality intimately – both from their professional work with high-profile families and from their own personal recovery journeys. Personal Experience Shapes Professional Practice
When your child is misusing drugs or alcohol, sleep often becomes one of the first casualties. The constant worry, fear, and hypervigilance can make restful nights feel impossible. Yet sleep isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for your health and your ability to help your child through their struggles. The Sleep Crisis for Parents The American
Tips For Better Sleep When Your Child is Misusing Drugs or Alcohol, with Brenda Zane Read More »
When Megan Megale’s son Matt began struggling with heroin addiction, she believed with all her heart that her love could save him. Like so many parents facing a child’s substance misuse, she thought the strength of their family bond, combined with her determination and resources, would be enough to pull him through. Matt went through
You Can’t Love Your Child Out of Addiction with Megan Megale of American Boy Read More »
When your child is battling addiction, it’s easy to let everything else in your life fall away. Your dreams, passions, and personal goals can feel frivolous compared to the crisis you’re managing daily. But this early episode of Hopestream reveals why maintaining your own identity and interests isn’t selfish—it’s essential for your long-term health and
Don’t Let Your Child’s Addiction Kill Your Dreams and Passions with Brenda Zane Read More »
Parents of children struggling with substance misuse are facing unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation, disrupted routines, and general anxiety have created a perfect storm for families already navigating the complexities of addiction. The Dual Crisis: COVID-19 and the Opioid Epidemic While the world focuses on COVID-19 statistics, another epidemic continues to claim
COVID-19: What To Do With Your Addicted Kid Now with Brenda Zane Read More »
When Brenda Zane recorded this early episode of Hopestream, she was navigating a unique challenge: ‘One is that we are still in the Coronavirus madness. And it’s been very, very hard to get people to commit to booking a podcast episode.’ Rather than skip a week, she decided to share observations from her own experience
When Paula Becker’s son Hunter was young, he and his father built a small house on stilts in their backyard – a creative sanctuary that became a powerful symbol throughout their family’s journey with opioid addiction. Paula, a writer and historian, has chronicled this experience in her memoir A House on Stilts: Mothering in the
Mothering in the Age of Opioid Addiction: Author, A House on Stilts, Paula Becker Read More »
