The Compassion Antidote

A Path to Change for You and Your Child Struggling with Substance Use

Non-Fiction - Parenting
198 Pages
Reviewed on 10/24/2022
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

The Compassion Antidote: A Path to Change for You and Your Child Struggling with Substance Use by Cathy Taughinbaugh is a valuable resource with practical tools for guiding parents and caregivers on how to support their children while taking care of themselves. The work encourages parents to learn the source of their child’s drug use and use love and compassion to guide them toward recovery. It urges them to connect, reach out, and be self-compassionate. It includes tools drawn from The Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT), a research-based approach that equips parents with self-care skills and skills for guiding their child toward change and reducing substance use. It advises parents to set realistic boundaries while showing affection. Taughinbaugh shows that recovery is possible and parents can play an essential role in helping their child recover.

From her own personal experiences and those of other parents, Cathy Taughinbaugh offers useful tools for families dealing with substance abuse. While many parents are advised to stay away and cut their children out of their lives, I liked that the methodologies offered involve the parent and explain healthy ways parents can get involved in the journey to recovery. It is hopeful and reassures parents with children struggling with drug addiction that they are not alone. The advice included also considers the parents' well-being and encourages parents to take time for self-care. The challenges faced by siblings, grandparents, and other members of the family are also addressed, and relevant, helpful strategies are provided for dealing with them. The Compassion Antidote offers realistic techniques for helping parents deal with addiction. It is a must-read for families affected by substance abuse.