Parents with an adult child dealing with substance use disorder involving either drugs or alcohol find hope and support through Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL).

PAL is a nonprofit that provides hope through education and support to parents of adults dealing with substance use disorder.

The free weekly meetings follow evidence-based practices, and the curriculum used is designed specifically for parents by professionals in the treatment and recovery industry. Each session includes:

• An educational component that offers tools for parents to use when trying to save a son or daughter from addiction, including ways to help them in a healthy way rather than enabling their addiction.
• A time for parents to interact, sharing what has worked – and has not worked – for them in their community.

Not only is the physical and emotional health of parents improved, but in many cases their adult addicted loved one is led to seek recovery. Researchers from Northern Arizona University have studied PAL and determined that after participating in the PAL program:

• Parents’ well-being improved.
• Parents decreased their tendency to engage in enabling and co-dependency behaviors.
• PAL participants’ addicted loved ones were less likely to misuse substances.

Age Groups	Adults
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Substance Use / Addiction

Last Updated: 02/25/26