Addiction Resource Guide is the good that can come from facing adversity and growing to meet the challenge of dealing with the serious substance abuse of a loved one. My oldest son, we discovered a little over a year ago, is a drug addict. Life has become frightening and frustrating for both him and for us, his family. Like most parents, I never thought I would have to deal with this. Banal but true, I thought drugs happened to other people. Quickly I had to learn about this disease. I had to, if I was going to try to help my son.

From the night a friend called to deliver the devastating news that our son was killing himself, I have been searching. I have been searching in many ways - inwardly for the strength to keep going, recognizing what I can and can't do to help him; and outwardly, for knowledge, to understand the nature of the disease of addiction that has turned our family upside down and has ravaged by son. My searches led me many places, always looking for resources to help us. The fact is, those resources weren't always there, and weren't always easy to find. It took determination and energy to seek out treatment options appropriate for our son.

Through my efforts and frustrations, I came to realize the need for a directory of available programs - organized, and explained in such a way that someone new to this could understand it. I have suffered, and I hope that by starting Addiction Resource Guide with Dr. Jeffery Smith, we can, if not totally ease the pain of those affected by this disease of addiction, at least assist them in their efforts to better understand it, to find treatment for themselves or their loved one, and perhaps ease the pain a little.

Polly Waldman