683: Beth Syverson: Parenting a Child Through Addiction

Published: Sept. 7, 2022, 7 a.m.

Beth Syverson is a mom of an 18-year-old son, Joey, who has been struggling with addiction and mental health issues for several years. She struggles with addiction as well, though not with the same substances as her son. This experience has given her empathy for her son's struggles. She has learned to maintain firm boundaries while still nurturing a positive relationship with Joey. She is walking beside Joey as he struggles with his recovery, while she works on her own personal growth and healing. Joey and Beth started Safe Home Podcast in August 2021 in order to help other families avoid the pain they've endured. They are committed to destigmatizing addiction and mental health, and they want to help as many families as possible by sharing their stories.\n\xa0\nThis is such an incredibly important topic and conversation.\xa0I\u2019m so grateful to Beth for sharing courageously and vulnerably.\xa0It\u2019s also important that you know, Joey gave consent, even encouragement, for his mom to have this conversation and share parts of his journey with this audience of Shameless Moms.\xa0\n\nListen in to hear Beth share:\n\nThe impact of her son\u2019s in utero trauma and the first 7 months of his life in Japan\n\nHow Joey\u2019s experimentation with vaping and nicotine led to life-threatening, full-fledged addiction\n\nWhat to look for if suspect your child might be using - and the signs Beth missed when Joey was first using\n\nHow Joey\u2019s first suicide attempt opened her eyes to his struggle with addiction\n\nHow to use curiosity as a tool in talking about substance use/abuse with your child in order to open up conversations instead of shutting down conversations\n\nHow she uses the CRAFT method: a special communication method to prioritize a relationship with someone who is on an addiction journey\xa0\n\nThe importance of removing shame from addiction\n\nThe boundaries she keeps in place while prioritizing their relationship\n\nHow she and Joey co-created a podcast, Safe Home Podcast, and why the show is so important to all parents of tweens and teens\n\nHer #1 piece of advice for parents of struggling teens\n\n\n\xa0\nLinks mentioned:\n\nJoin my free workshop: How to Calm Your Chaos & Let Go of Your Crap: shamelessmom.com/calm\n\n\nConnect with Beth and find her events: safehomefamilies.com\n\n\nListen to the Safe Home Podcast: anchor.fm/safe-home-podcast\n\n\nSafe Home Podcast on FB\n\nSafe Home Podcast on IG\n\nSafe Home Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoW-LxFFes2EX71ENcFVCQ\n\n\n\xa0\n\nSponsor info and promo codes:\n\nPlease find our sponsor information here: shamelessmom.com/sponsor/\n\n\nInterested in becoming a sponsor of the Shameless Mom Academy? Email our sales team at sales@adalystmedia.com\n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices