"Courage is standing often on my knees, in the presence of toxic silence, rage and hostility; my truth sees the fragile spirit of a child needing consistency of love without shame or judgment."

 

--Leyla Fatima

Parenting the Addict Child & Leyla Fatima

Leyla Fatima is a writer whose columns on addiction, “Parenting From The Foxhole” have been featured in the Orange County Register.  Her youngest son is currently in a long-term treatment facility and the eldest is a mandatory participant in a drug court program.  Leyla addresses the complex and painful issues that parents face, from the parent’s perspective. Her family’s often grim circumstances along with their triumphs forge the path of her mission in changing public policies and perception on alcoholism and addiction.



For every dark moment, there have been those of an equal joy as the mother of two gifted young men, my sons. I came to understand some time ago that my path was not meant to be a private journey. It is not mine to keep and what my eyes have seen must be shared for those who find themselves at various crossroads when parenting a child that lives with addiction and alcoholism.  As parents we may be powerless over this demon that hijacks our beloved children. Let's Not! we make the mistake of confusing powerlessness over this disease, with helplessness. Nothing is further from the truth.

“Henry Ford once made a wise remark to the effect that experience is the thing of supreme value in life. That is true only if one is willing to turn the past to good account. We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets. The alcoholic’s past thus becomes the principle asset of the family and frequently it is almost the only one! The painful past may be of infinite value to other families still struggling with their problem”

--AA Big Book