Parents in Recovery: Navigating a Sober Family Lifestyle

"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.

Sarah Allen Benton is a licensed professional counselor and advanced alcohol and drug counselor. She is co-owner of Benton Behavioral Health Consulting, specializing in clinical and business support services, and a Clinical Strategy Advisor for Aware Recovery Care, where she was formerly the Director of Clinical Services. She has held several primary therapist positions, including at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. She has been featured in the New York Times and appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Today Show, SiriusXM and NPR. Sarah lives in Killingworth, Connecticut with her husband and daughter.