I moved back to the area after 22 years in Arizona. During my time there, my adult sons went through long and difficult struggles with substance use, and they are now in different stages of recovery. At the time, life felt like I was on a hamster wheel—isolated and constantly managing the stress of worry, uncertainty, and ongoing challenges. When one of my sons experienced an overdose in my home, I realized I couldn’t manage it all on my own. I needed guidance, support, and perspective from others who understood what I was going through.

Finding a parent group changed everything. I learned how to shift my own patterns so I could continue to care about my sons while also caring for myself. When I returned to Michigan a few years ago, I started a group for local parents who might be facing similar experiences. I connected with FAN shortly after and began participating in events and forums. Now, I’m honored to help facilitate FAN’s family support group Stronger Together, which launched in fall 2023. I’m also involved in FAN’s ongoing efforts to create meaningful change around substance use in our community.