Siblings and addiction

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Siblings and addiction

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When a child is using drugs, the parents focus on that child, but there are other children in the household. It is traumatizing, not only to the addict, not only to the parents, but to the siblings. It is really, really important that you realize that, even though you are focused on saving your child's life, you also need to focus on your other children. Life goes in the midst of addiction. There are still games and sports that the other children are involved in. You need to present and there for them as well because you don't want them struggle to get your attention and realize that your attention is spent on your child using drugs. Have them pick up a drug and use it to get your attention. I've heard that happen and it's very scary. So I tell parent, focus on your other children as well because they need your attention. This is a family disease and they might need counseling. They need support. Take the time to look around, and not just look at the one child with the addiction. Consider all your kids, too.

Watch Video: Siblings and addiction by Sharon LeGore, ...

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Sharon LeGore

Family Advocate

Sharon is the founder and president of Momstell, a parent advocacy organization she created after the death of her daughter to a drug overdose.  She created the Momstell website in order to expand the mission to join concerned parents and families to work together towards improving drug treatment, education, legislation, and policy. Mrs. LeGore has worked on many drug and alcohol policy, state budget and legislative issues for Pennsylvania, including legislation to create the first statewide Parent Advisory Council for substance abuse issues in Pennsylvania. She serves on several policy tables and co-chairs the PA Children’s Advisory Committee.

Mrs. LeGore is a consultant on substance abuse family involvement issues for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and is also the co-director of the SAMHSA sponsored “National Family Dialogue”. Sharon co-authored the CSAT/SAMHSA report “Families of Youth with Substance Use Disorders: A National Dialogue”, an issue brief entitled “Family Involvement in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment” a journal piece for Reclaiming Futures entitled “Family Involvement in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery: What do we know and what lies ahead”, co-authored the “Access to Substance Abuse Treatment: Results of a Family Survey” as well as several additional published articles. She is a national speaker and also serves on the Parent Advisory Board for the Partnership for a Drug Free America.

Sharon is the mother of four and resides in Mt Wolf, Pennsylvania with her husband Terry.

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