Parents in Recovery: Navigating a Sober Family Lifestyle - Hardcover

by Sarah Allen Benton (Author)

"For parents in recovery (PIRs), the process of recovery is so much more than just stopping drug and alcohol abuse.... Parents facing these challenges will feel understood and supported." -Booklist
"I am just like other parents, except..."

Parents in Recovery is not a book about "how" to parent. It is also not a book about "how" to get sober. Instead, it is meant to be a guide for parents in recovery (PIRs) from substance use disorders that provides insights and strategies for coping with the many unique and not so unique, challenges they may face. It is also intended to give the loved ones and families of PIRs an inside look at this world and explain why certain changes and behaviors are necessary to maintain long-term recovery. Each chapter is an integration of research, the voices of parents in recovery, input from addiction treatment experts, parent recovery wisdom suggestions and the author's past journal accounts. This guidebook can support mothers and fathers in navigating their way through parenting with a sober lifestyle--which includes physical, emotional, social, spiritual, behavioral, environmental, and vocational wellness. It is written for those who have embraced sobriety before, during or after becoming a parent and can serve as a "job-aid" on this journey. Key topics include love and marriage, family systems, work and life balance, self-care, parenting types, sober socializing, coping with hard times, mental health and recovery pride. This book also addresses modern-day challenges, including the use of electronics, social media, career identity, social trends, non-traditional parental roles and living in a post-COVID-19 pandemic world. While many parents feel shame associated with aspects of their addiction, this book emphasizes the gifts and accomplishments of being in recovery and how they positively impact the entire family system.

Author Biography

Sarah Allen Benton is a licensed mental health counselor and advanced alcohol and drug counselor. She is co-owner of Benton Behavioral Health Consulting, LLC specializing in clinical and business support services. Sarah is a co-founder and chief clinical officer for Waterview Behavioral Health in Wallingford, CT and was also the former director of Clinical Services for Aware Recovery Care in North Haven, CT. Sarah has worked as a therapist and clinical consultant for various addiction treatment programs, practices, and start-ups. She also worked at McLean Hospital in their dual diagnosis transitional treatment program, Klarman Center for eating disorder treatment and the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Institute in Belmont, MA.