Welcome to “In The Mix” where I share what’s piqued my curiosity and interest, heard through the grapevine or landed in my lap each week. A relevant curation of books, articles, websites, events, podcasts and such that might interest you too! I am a voracious reader and explorer of innovation and thought leadership. I love to share what I find while out in the field or comes recommended from a trusted source. Throughout my experience mothering addiction and recovery and recovering myself, I looked to the innovators, thought leaders, way showers who were grounded in love, kindness and science.
This week I received an email from Beth Macy, incredible storyteller and author of Dopesick, which was recently made into a Hulu series starring Michael Keaton, (Dopesick Trailer). It’s up for several awards. If you haven’t read it or watched the show, its a must watch. Her email said, “I read this and kept thinking: this is Shelly Young 101!!!” She sent me this New York Times article. Codependency Is a Toxic Myth in Addiction Recovery. She’s right though. I have a lot to say about the myth of codependency. We are going to dig into that topic this week in the weekly post. Keep an eye out for it in your inbox on Wednesday.
Another New York Times article was shared with me this week by my friend Laurie Healy, a Family Recovery Coach and Educator in Minnesota. When the Parenting Never Stops. What grabbed my attention was this, “a mother’s internalized mandate to protect her child does not end when her children are grown.” For mothers of adult children with substance use disorders and mental health condition, that mandate oftentimes become amplified and also demonized. The article talks about the grief, shame and guilt that these situations cause the mothers.
If you haven’t yet been invited, I am running a research study on the mother’s of children, young and adult with substance use disorder/addiction. I am looking for 1000+ mothers to participate. All kinds of mothers, biological mothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, people who have taken on the role of mother for an individual. Here’s your invitation to share you experience in an effort to influence healing and change. The study is here. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. Please feel free to share it with others.
Lastly, a second note about Beth Macy. She recently completed Raising Lazarus, Hope Justice and the Future of America’s Opioid Crisis (available now for pre-order) “Raising Lazarus is the crucial next installment in the story of the defining disaster of our era, one that touches every single one of us, whether directly or indirectly.” She includes many stories of the people who are driving systemic change in response to the opioid crisis. While researching Raising Lazarus, Beth noted in one of our conversations, that so many of the people influencing change and creating innovative, compassionate solutions were women.
Mothers are a powerful force.
Take Good Care of You, Shelly