When Barbara Theodosiou, a South Florida mother of four, discovered that two of her sons were suffering from the disease of drug addiction, or Substance Use Disorder (SUD), she felt shock, fear, and confusion; out of her despair, Barbara created The Addict’s Mom (TAM). TAM, a hybrid organization, offers several forums to mothers where they can “Share Without Shame” their experiences, their sorrows, their anguish and their fears of being the mother of a child with SUD. TAM began 8 years ago as an online, grass-roots national support network and has grown to over 70,000 members, with a chapter in all 50 states. Members meet online and in person to: educate, advocate, and act as liaisons between policy makers, mental health professionals, and those suffering from the disease of addiction. In their local communities, TAM sponsors events dedicated to heighten awareness of the disease, to reduce the stigma of the disease, and to promote changes in the legal system affecting those with the disease. TAM does not give medical advice, or offer our opinion. We offer hope. To learn more about TAM, and to find our groups, please go to: www.addictsmom.com
Moms who have learned that one or more of their children are suffering from the disease of addiction need guidance and help in navigating the complex and frightening topic that is addiction. Therefore, TAM is pleased to announce Professionals For The Addict’s Mom, which is a directory containing the names of competent and qualified professionals and other resources in the field of mental health, including the field of addiction. Our directory is intended for you to have easy access to the information, but we do not recommend a specific person, program, intervention, or institution.
Three Ways Families Can Get Involved in Addiction Recovery By Lyle Fried, The Shores Treatment & Recovery In the past, the only involvement families had in the addiction/recovery journey was to arrange an intervention for their struggling loved one, or to send an encouraging letter to them in treatment. Families were largely detached from the
THE BROKEN SYSTEM Written by Sherry Schlenke, M.Ed., and the Mother of a Boy, Now Deceased, who Suffered from the Disease of Addiction Daniel Montalbano, the son of “The Addict’s Mom” founder Barbara Theodosiou, was a victim of the “Broken System” of our community mental health facilities and prisons. Dr. Harold Metzner of the University
My Beloved Boy, Daniel Francis Montalbano Written by his devoted Mom, Barbara Theodosiou Daniel was a beautiful, chubby, newborn with huge brown eyes. I fell in love with him from the first moment I held him. He was a cute, curious toddler. He chased after his big brother, Peter. He adored his little sister, Nicole,
