All of Lisa’s posts

September 6, 2026Thoughts on making the bedAmid the chaos of this world, there is this… Who makes the bed in your household? I’ve always been a bit neurotic about this clearly minor, daily household chore. The bed must be made before… August 16, 2026The answers they seekThirteen years ago when Jacob was home from Florida for a visit, our local treatment center invited him to address the patients. I was invited to join him. Today, this center, Pathways, offers a Family… July 5, 2026First names onlyAnonymity (Try saying that three times) “Your anonymity is protected at all times.” That’s part of the opening lines of many Twelve-Step programs. It’s a promise to anyone who is there. We introduce ourselves with… June 14, 2026Beach WeekThe very words fill me with dread. This month high school seniors clad in caps and gowns walk across stages. And afterwards, they take off for their first flight of freedom: Beach Week. The scene… May 24, 2026What we learn – we shareRewarding is probably the wrong word But it is rewarding – and certainly positive – to watch people grow in their recovery. For example – the couple whose adult son has been drinking and using… May 10, 2026Mother’s Day redefinedIt’s curious how recovery brings a fresh take on so much in everyday life. Like holidays. And especially this one – Mother’s Day. When my son was in active addiction, Mother’s Day was a day… April 12, 2026When she is readyRecently, my husband and I spoke at a treatment center for adults suffering with addiction. In front of us sat some 25 men and women, a few in their twenties, but most seemed much older… March 29, 2026When “Sorry” isn’t enoughHe’s still waiting. Somehow my husband thought, magically, once our son was in recovery and had a decent job he would offer to pay for all the shattered side mirrors on our Chevy Trailblazer that… March 15, 2026What I know nowIt’s still happening. Despite the headlines that tout fewer deaths due to overdose and fewer young people using drugs, I still meet mothers and fathers whose children – as the first step in Al-Anon and… March 1, 2026Put on your oxygen mask firstIf you’re any kind of flyer, you know the lines. Make sure your seat belt is fastened. Seatback and tray table in their full upright position. And the most enigmatic of all, when flying with… February 8, 2026Marking a milestoneMy son just celebrated 14 years in recovery. January is his anniversary month, holding the day he gave up his obsession with drugs and began a new way to live. It is the reason we… January 25, 2026Even addicts get the fluWash your hands, the experts say, again and again and again. Flu has permeated South Florida. Surrounded by my son’s friends, many in long-term recovery, it makes me wonder. What is someone with an addiction… January 11, 2026Considering kindnessIt is January and I am again ensconced in South Florida. This is the annual visit – almost a retreat – to live in my son’s neighborhood and soak up, not so much the sun… December 28, 2025When shame endsWe may never know the full story. A child kills his parents. That’s horrific enough. But what makes the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner even worse – if that’s possible – is how the… December 14, 2025Fifteen yearsFifteen years. That’s how long my husband and I have been attending Al-Anon meetings, most of them in the same kindergarten room at a nearby church. Fifteen years of sitting beside tiny desks in a… November 23, 2025Contemplating deathThis time it’s not the expected passing of a close friend from cancer that stirs thoughts of death. Nor is it the sudden loss of a beloved physician from a heart attack. It’s the shocking… November 9, 2025Does money matter?They sit side by side in the kindergarten classroom. The wife rubs her thumb across the tips of her fingers. The husband stares at every speaker. They are grasping for the answer – the “right”… October 26, 2025A Story of Coming HomeMore than 15 years ago, when Jacob was struggling with drugs and I was frantic to help him, author and educator Libby Cataldi and her son Jeff spoke at our local hospital. Their “talk” followed… October 12, 2025The Tissue BoxIt’s only a 3 x2 inch box. But it may as well be a symbol of addiction. Or at least, how addiction affects the family. At Al-Anon meetings we pass the tissue box to whomever… September 28, 2025Finding hope in OrvietoTwo tall, thin men stand behind a table on the bustling cobblestone crossroads. Pedestrians wander past, never noticing. The taller one sees me watching and beckons me over. He barely speaks English. I speak no… September 7, 2025Should I speak?The young girl walking towards me was staring into her cell phone. She never saw me coming. For a split second I thought – she’s going to run into me. Should I say something? Or… August 24, 2025The phone callSomething about the man’s big, moon face lingers. Maybe it was the way he stared at me, searching. He was sure I had the answer. It was a Saturday afternoon and the first time my… August 10, 2025For the love of dogsCount me among the 60 million. That’s the estimate for the number of households in America with at least one dog. Unabashedly, I am a dog lover. And as often happens, my husband and I… July 27, 2025The Cannabis QuestionWe are rolling along through Maine on a two-week vacation, Charley our greyhound in tow. Not the trendy coast. But the backwoods on a single lane highway that leads northwest towards the White mountains of… June 29, 2025Landing the heloRecently it came up again. Twenty men and women were seated in the church kindergarten basement awaiting the evening’s topic. Then a mother sitting across from me – whose 38-year-old son still lives in her… June 15, 2025Father’s Day, football, and a name by any other nameYou don’t have to be a football fan to love stories about football heroes. But rarely are they about those off the field In the late 1970s my brief career with WCBM Radio in Baltimore… May 25, 2025The latest plagueIn a world that sometimes feels too crowded, there is this: “loneliness” is one of America’s newest plagues. Feelings of isolation can lead to other ailments and even trigger premature death. Addiction loves loneliness, thrives… May 11, 2025On Mother’s DayMy father used to call it a “Chamber of Commerce” event. He always said Mother’s Day was drummed up to boost candy sales and restaurant reservations. Father’s Day, too Growing up I sometimes wondered if… April 27, 2025Keep coming backThe young man casts his eyes downward. He is seated in a folding chair, one of about twenty that form a large circle in the small church basement. His eyes seem to stare at the… April 6, 2025Some of the best peopleIf a recovered addict is not in your life, you’re missing out. There was a time when my son said I would be grateful for his addiction – or some such nonsense. I didn’t laugh… March 23, 2025Just 25 wordsEven writing the word brings a whisper of calm in a chaotic time. No wonder it opens a prayer that’s the watchword in addiction recovery. God grant me the serenity To accept the things I… March 9, 2025The wardenAt a meeting recently a father shared this: “I don’t like feeling like a warden around my son.” The word startled me. His son, now in his thirties, has a history of addiction and recovery… February 23, 2025Everything I need to know I learned in…Certainly not kindergarten. And certainly nothing I learned there prepared me to help a child with addiction. What did – and still does – are the friendships and shared experiences of friends in Al-Anon. But… February 9, 2025When the freight train passesA freight train thunders behind us, so close it shakes the folding chairs where we sit. All conversation stops. For several seconds – as 5 or 6 cars rumble by – we are silent. My… January 26, 2025Ain’t it good to knowWhat parent doesn’t wish for their children that they will have close, cherished friends for their lifetime? In the immortal lyrics of Carole King (and James Taylor): You just call out my name/And you know… January 12, 2025Giving trust a second chanceOnce lost, it’s difficult to regain. In families facing addiction, trust is among the first of many losses. Parents often ask, “When did you start trusting your son again?” It took time and distance. After… December 29, 2024What to be in ’25There’s an Al-Anon motto that’s especially apt this time of year – and not just for families facing addiction. You can look back. Just don’t stare. As this year rolls into the next, I admit… December 15, 2024A virtue missingAmong the virtues that some people have, there is at least one I missed. Patience I don’t even come close. Perhaps it’s genetic? My father was a pretty impatient guy. My mother’s patience came in… December 1, 2024Home coming“I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.” So goes the famous line from T.S. Eliot’s poem “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.” Some critics say it reflects how we spend much of… November 17, 2024Mom, don’t worryIt creeps up somewhere between 2 and 3 a.m. Maybe some people are more prone to it. I’ve always been a worrier – and never worse than when my son’s abuse of alcohol and drugs… November 3, 2024Look for the HelpersIn times of crises, children are taught – Look for the Helpers. Spot a dark blue or brown uniform. Maybe a bright yellow hat. A white vest with a red cross. But with addiction –… October 20, 2024When it’s not funnyGrowing up, I had no idea how important it was. Not until I married, had children, and started a career did I appreciate the gift my parents had given me. My father was a master… October 6, 2024Was it enough?I never doubted I was a good parent. Even during Jacob’s darkest days, I never thought I was in any way a “bad” mother. Mostly. When therapists told me addiction happens in the best of… September 22, 2024ElixirIf there were an elixir, proven to heal thousands of people every year, guaranteed to at least make you feel better if you gave it a try – would you try it? More than a… September 8, 2024College dazeSuitcases are rolling. Backpacks strain at the seams. Laundry bags scream for air. Watching students check in at a nearby college, I recall another check-in day, years ago. The night before taking off for college… August 25, 2024When it’s not about the moneyRecently, a friend shared that she was funding her daughter’s post-graduate education. She sounded apologetic. It’s funny how sometimes parents think there must be some clear demarcation line – some age or achievement or victory… August 11, 2024Praising the good onesAn administrator at our local treatment center recently stepped aside for several months following surgery. His absence reminds me how important such people are to our loved ones with addiction. Like all professions, addiction treatment… July 28, 2024AngrophobiaName a fear, and there’s probably a word for it. Fears have names. And sometimes the names are more frightening than the fear itself. Consider these (just for fun?): Nomophobia is the irrational fear of… July 13, 2024The President’s SonI am seated at an outdoor café lunching with a friend after several months’ absence. We barely scan the menu before the talk turns to our children, and then their peers. These are the now… June 30, 2024Independence DayJuly 4th makes me think about taxes. It’s not what you think. It’s not about “taxation without representation” or the tax on tea that helped spark a war with a king. It’s about the ties… June 16, 2024TriggeringHe had been sober for 6 months. The moment felt so fragile, like a porcelain teacup teetering on the table’s edge. One tiny shake of the house – a truck rumbling outside or a jet… June 2, 2024The credit card scamAccording to both online and published reports, credit card scams are up. But what’s that got to do with addiction? Just ask any parent of a teenager or young adult. It’s bad enough when your… May 19, 2024Graduation and letting goSomewhere between spring and summer is another season: graduation. It’s a season when expectations run high. Not just for the graduate, expecting that one shining moment on stage…. But even more so for the parents… May 5, 2024SammiTwelve men and women sit around a table agreeing on what should come next. The subject of their discussion lays sprawled out on the floor, big, brown and unflappable. A loud gnawing emanates from his… April 21, 2024That lovin’ feelingIt’s a common word and maybe a little overused today. Compassion. Fostering an intense caring for another’s plight, it sometimes stirs up action – like sending in an army, lending money, delivering groceries, or just… April 7, 2024The FixerOn a recent stroll I spotted two men at the entrance to an elementary school parking lot. A 10-foot wooden gate had locked in the closed position. The men were trying to free it. When… March 24, 2024The other shoeIn addiction circles it’s a common phrase. It turns up over time. First, parents yearn for their child’s sobriety, praying for the time when alcohol or drugs will no longer come between them and their… March 10, 2024Lemme fix itAccept it. Moms – and dads – just want to be helpful to their children, no matter the child’s age. It’s a lifelong commitment. But what happens when that child has an addiction? And you… February 25, 2024What about the babiesResearch suggests that alcoholism and other forms of addiction are genetic. Or, at least, it seems to run in families. Maybe that’s partly why it snuck up on us. We know of no genetic link… February 11, 2024A celebration like no otherThis is no auditorium. There are no endless rows of padded seats. No one is standing at the door handing out programs, and no one will scurry to add chairs for a standing-room-only crowd. Instead… January 28, 2024Toss out the blanketsMy son says it’s counterintuitive. Parents love their children. That’s a maxim. And they do all they can to protect them from harm. But when that harm is self-inflicted, what is a parent to do?… January 14, 2024Where he is safeThey are fresh-faced and cleanly dressed. All nine of them. Young men in their 20s and 30s, they are gathering at my son’s home for a meeting. Each extends an arm. My eyes lock on… December 31, 2023Seeking JoyA friend whose adolescent son struggles with anxiety, depression – and addiction – recently said to me, “I want more joy in my life.” For an instant I just stared at her. Who doesn’t? I… December 17, 2023No greater giftOccasionally, I am invited to attend an “open” AA meeting. Typically, it is to celebrate a milestone in recovery. Rare is the invitation to celebrate a child’s recovery. (Note: this is shared with permission of… December 3, 2023Time outHe was coming home from rehab, just in time for the holidays. His mother was anxious. How would he “fit in” with the rest of the family? Could she trust him – even for a… November 19, 2023When they don’t get itRecently, a family friend – not a man I see often, but someone I’ve known and respected for his intelligence and wisdom – posted THIS on my blog: Your story makes me feel so blessed… November 5, 2023Getting unstuckShe was stuck, and she wasn’t alone. Seated in kindergarten chairs in the church basement, Al-Anon attendees listened patiently. Many knew her story well. Many were living it. A husband was drinking again. Again was… October 22, 2023Never enoughThe tall, dark blond-haired young man stepped into my path. I was rounding a cobblestone corner in an ancient Italian village in Umbria, winding my way up to the Duomo (don’t all Italian streets lead… October 8, 2023Dogs: the anti-drugIf any animal could cure addiction, it would be – the dog. I’m sure of it. Dogs came into our family late. It wasn’t until Jacob was eleven, his sister grown and married, that we… September 10, 2023Getting angryI rarely get angry. Is that abnormal? It must be. Because when friends find out they look at me strangely. Living with someone who is actively using drugs or abusing alcohol, it is easy to… August 27, 2023You mean, I can set boundaries?A father recently asked, how do you handle the guilt when you don’t want your loved one to come home after rehab? When you fear she is not ready? His question sent me spiraling back… August 13, 2023Hope imaginedDon’t take this literally. I’ve never been there, never witnessed it. It was shared with me second hand. But it is as real in my imagination as if I were there. Maybe more. Here’s what… July 30, 2023What the road sign saysSummertime, my husband and I often travel. Perhaps a road trip here and there. Besides being fun, a change of scenery inspires the spirit, soothes the soul. Whenever we leave home, I am struck by… July 16, 2023Cultivating the cultSome people say programs like AA and Al-Anon are a cult. If that’s so, may there be more cultists among us! Often in Al-Anon meetings – and AA too – you will hear someone say… July 2, 2023Let freedom ringThis fourth of July I am thinking about freedom. Not so much our nation’s or the freedoms we value every day. Rather, it is the freedom that comes from no longer living with active addiction… June 18, 2023Alcoholism, Fatherhood, and a US SenatorThrough the years of my son’s active addiction, what I wanted most was a story of survival. How could someone overcome the lethal grip of alcohol or drugs and return to a “normal,” healthy life?… June 4, 2023One and doneWhen we drove onto the grounds of the treatment center, my first thought was, this is it. This is where my son gets well. The setting was picture-perfect. Pastoral. Any ache, mental or physical, would… May 21, 2023What’s in a nameAsk anyone who knows something about addiction. Or read any article on the topic. Most will say addiction is a disease. When I first heard that, even long before addiction assaulted my family, I thought… May 7, 2023Denying denialThe mom’s face gives it away every time. Her son is using only a little, she tells me. He smokes weed sometimes. Well maybe more than just sometimes. Yes, he spends a lot of time… April 23, 2023The middle CAt first, I didn’t get it. Maybe no one does at the beginning. When you’re new to addiction in a loved one or friend, you learn about the “Three Cs:” You didn’t cause it. You… April 9, 2023Letting it go“Mom, I lost my job. Dad wanted me to call and tell you.” Like so many other crises during the years of my son’s active addiction, this one arrived with terrible timing. Half-the country away… March 26, 2023The steps before the stepsMany people today know about “Twelve Step” programs that support men and women with addictions – of almost any kind. But for those who are new to addiction in a loved one or friend, they… March 19, 2023Family secretsWhat happens when a family keeps a secret about a tragedy buried for decades? That’s the premise of Dani Shapiro’s new novel Signal Fires. Reading it for a book club, I couldn’t help but overlay… March 5, 2023A small winThis winter I had the opportunity to speak at three treatment centers in South Florida with my son. Jacob was the moderator. One of his friends from AA spoke first, sharing his experience and hope… February 19, 2023Dumbstruck“Detach with love.” The first time I heard that phrase I was dumbstruck. A former English major, I had to parse the words to make sense of it. “Detach?” You mean separate myself from my… February 5, 2023One day, one moment at a timeAfter addiction, if you’re lucky, there is recovery – both for you and for your loved one. And if you’re very lucky – and you’ve done the work – you’ve learned how to live one… January 22, 2023Sending hopeOnce again, I am in a South Florida fellowship hall, invited by my son to attend an AA meeting. Some 80 chairs line the long, narrow room in neat rows. By the time the meeting… January 15, 2023When friendships matter mostLike many parents there was a time I knew Jacob’s friends. And their parents, too. We were a tribe raising our little indians to be the chiefs we knew they would be. In high school… January 1, 2023Wishing you serenity in the new yearGod grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. When I first heard it, the words barely registered. It… December 18, 2022When the holidays hold hopeThe call came in late afternoon on New Year’s Eve My husband and I were donning warm coats for a walk into town to enjoy fireworks. The counselor had my son in his car. “Lisa,”… December 4, 2022Listening without judgementTalk less. Listen more. Recently this adage came up at a meeting of parents whose sons and daughters suffer with addiction. Heads nodded. Yes, we all were guilty. We spoke too much, listened too little… November 20, 2022If one person gets betterIt sounds so simple. There’s a line in addiction literature that says, if one person in the family gets better, chances improve for the others. When I began to attend Al-Anon meetings years ago, I… November 6, 2022Where friends areI remember the first time I heard it. It is okay to glance back at your past. Just don’t stare. More than a decade after my son’s recovery, I sometimes look back at the years… October 23, 2022Service to othersLike most parents, we tried to raise our children with certain values. Among the top was service to others. As the English-born poet W.H. Auden said, “We are all here on earth to help others… October 9, 2022When someone you know dies from an overdoseIf you haven’t experienced it yet, you are fortunate. And probably in the minority. Recently, it happened to me again. A friend whose son had abused drugs most of his life suddenly lost his battle… September 25, 2022The conversation we never hadWhen my son was new to recovery – as was I – two conversations stand out One we had. One we didn’t. It was his first year in recovery. After five months in a South… September 11, 2022When words misfireMy son and daughter hate how I pepper them with questions. Whether it’s the journalist in me or just overanxious mothering, I have so much to ask them. Always. They just roll their eyes –… August 28, 2022Isn’t it time to give up shame?I still hear it. A mother or father whose child is abusing drugs or alcohol, locked away in a basement bedroom at home, is terrified lest anyone find out. Maybe they will share it with… August 14, 2022A laughing matterRecently our family gathered in New Hampshire for a two-week vacation. Whenever we are together, there is typically lots of laughter. It’s probably genetic. My parents had a keen sense of humor. So does my… July 31, 2022When trust changesA parent will ask, when can I trust my son or daughter again? Until high school Jacob was healthy, smart, college-bound. A cross-country runner, member of the band, surrounded by other smart, healthy and college-bound… July 17, 2022Great excusesI’ve heard them all. Recently, talking with a friend, we recalled where we were – physically and emotionally – when our sons were using. We talked about how we never want to go back there… July 3, 2022Choosing your childrenThere’s a line early in Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin’s new memoir “Unthinkable” that lingers long after the final pages. He recounts all the people he loves, including his wife, relatives and the “splendid” colleagues he… June 19, 2022Why Father’s Day?My father thought it was silly. He called “Father’s Day” a “made-up Chamber of Commerce holiday,” commercial and phony. My husband feels the same. Maybe that’s why – when our son was in active addiction… June 5, 2022What therapists don’t knowSometimes therapists will call me. They know my story. They know I want to help other families. But often I am appalled at how little some therapists know about families suffering with addiction, and how… May 22, 2022Don’t lie to meMom: “Don’t lie to me.” Son: “Then don’t ask.” This conversation never happened. But it could have. How many times did I want to grill my son during his last year of high school? Why… May 8, 2022Where did you send your son?A question I often am asked is, “Where did Jacob go?” The rest of the question is…for treatment? To get well? To stop using? Regardless, the real question is always the same. Does it matter?… April 24, 2022There was a time when I pretended he didn’t existImpossible to believe today, but there was a time when I pretended he didn’t exist. I had no son. When Jacob was actively using, and I felt so hopeless that no matter what I tried… April 10, 2022Don’t you ever get angry?He leaned in and asked the question without malice or presumption. Don’t you ever get angry? The counselor Jacob and I had been seeing waited for my answer. I was alone in his office, one… March 27, 2022The Three CsWhen she sat next to me, I sensed her tension. She was fighting hard to stay calm and stave off tears that inevitably would fall. As a “newcomer,” someone attending an Al-Anon meeting for the… March 13, 2022What addiction has taught meRecently I was asked what – if anything — I have learned from my son’s addiction. And now that he has ten years in recovery, and I more than 11 years in Al-Anon, is there… February 27, 2022A Headline with HopeMaybe it’s our nature. We dwell on the negative. With addiction there is good reason. It is easy to feel depressed, anxious and fearful, just as those suffering with the disorder. Headlines don’t help. The… February 13, 2022Long-term “Recover-ers” offer Words of HopeWhen Jacob was actively using, what gave me great hope was the wisdom of those in long-term recovery. They never failed to say what I needed to hear. Recently, I posed the following question to… January 30, 2022Where hope livesI am sitting in a large community-based fellowship hall with some 50 people. Most are in their 20s and 30s. There are many who are older, too. This is an AA meeting in South Florida… January 16, 2022Understanding “recovery”Recently, I had the great pleasure of talking with men and women in long-term recovery. They opened up about building new lives. Their kind and generous responses are too rich not to share. In this… January 2, 2022A New Year’s Gift: Words of hope from those who knowSome of the most profound people I know are those in recovery – especially those who have been in recovery for years. They have a strength unique to them, plus a hard-earned wisdom they are… December 19, 2021A Tale of Two Mothers“What do I do?” the mother asks me. “My son wants to come home for Christmas.” She sits before me, a friend from the effects of addiction on our families. It is near-impossible to tell… December 5, 2021The Time between Thanksgiving and New Year’sThanksgiving to New Year’s is a time of joy for many people. Or so I’ve always thought. It’s a moment away from work. Time to relax with family. Share presents. Savor delicious meals. A retreat… November 21, 2021Do you really want to ask?Normal conversations include questions, right? When my son was abusing drugs – now nearly a decade ago – normal conversations were impossible. He was either rarely around or often groggy when he was. How many… November 7, 2021Do you have other children?When parents talk about a son or daughter who is abusing drugs or alcohol, their voices rarely falter. They are fully engrossed retelling the horrors of daily living – how this child with so much… October 24, 2021When I didn’t like my sonIsn’t it unnatural for a parent not to love his or her child? This question came up in a conversation with a friend whose child is abusing drugs and alcohol. She reminded me there were… October 10, 2021An Homage to SponsorsThey serve almost without anyone knowing. They save thousands of lives every day. These are the men and women who serve as “sponsors” – those who have achieved recovery from addiction – and seek to… September 26, 2021Finding gratitudeIronic, isn’t it? It took a potentially fatal condition to introduce me to what’s now a popular phrase – a “gratitude list.” Pick up any self-help book or check any self-help blog and you see… September 12, 2021Through their eyesWhen a parent loses a child, are there any words that can console? But when a parent loses a child to addiction, what then? With addiction comes unrelenting guilt, sometimes shame, remorse and isolation. Does… August 29, 2021When bones breakA family member recently suffered an injury. Living through it, I am reminded how quickly life can be disrupted – and with no warning. But it also reminds me how different it is when a… August 15, 2021A prayer for a friendI sit on a shaded bench on Rehoboth Avenue and watch people walk by. At this early-morning hour there are families with small children, an infant cradled in burly, tattooed arms, and a little girl… August 1, 2021Elegy for a FriendA friend died of Covid this year Her husband died, too, just days before. Recently, I was walking in her neighborhood and I found myself passing the street where she lived. Her house was empty… July 19, 2021It’s okay to feel joy“Weeping may tarry for the night But joy cometh in the morning.” For a parent living with a son or daughter on drugs, it is impossible to feel joy. For years, I didn’t – or… July 4, 2021Can I drink around my son?Often I am asked if I drink around my son. It’s a question that comes up frequently in support groups trying to help those with an addiction to alcohol. Professionals typically suggest cleaning out the… June 20, 2021Did the dog just remind me?My dog hates other dogs Normally this wouldn’t be a problem. But we live in a town that is very dog- friendly. A three-year-old retired racing greyhound, Charlie turns into Godzilla at the sight of… June 6, 2021TearsIf tears could wash away all pain, this past year surely would have cleansed our world free of it. How deep is that well? Tears shed over the loss of loved ones from COVID, from… May 23, 2021Where should I send my son?A mom asked me recently, “Where should I send my son?” Even to get the question, I knew we were in tough territory. The son, not quite 18, was still under his mother’s roof and… May 9, 2021The Phone CallMy son phoned me yesterday. I was driving home from a book discussion with friends when his name popped up on my car console. What is it about unexpected calls from adult children? Are moms… April 25, 2021FentanylIt’s not a book for everyone. But if your life has been affected by opioids in any way – or you are raising young children – read it. It may terrify you. Recently I moderated… April 11, 2021A Walk in the ParkAt first I didn’t see him. What I saw was a small heap of rags, a mound of dark colors piled on the grass. Charlie and I were out for our daily jaunt. A two-year… March 28, 2021MilestonesA mother once asked me, “My son is about to celebrate his first year in recovery. He invited me and my husband to attend his AA meeting. They’re going to give him some sort of… March 14, 2021Accept small miraclesWho knows for certain what prompts someone with an addiction to give it up? I’ve heard many men and women in recovery say, “I was sick of being sick,” or “One day I just decided… February 28, 2021What to say when recovery beginsRecently a mother posed a question. Her son in his 30s is just beginning recovery, or so she believes. She asked me, “What do I say to my child who is now in recovery?” My… February 14, 2021CourageCourage faces fear and thereby masters it” Martin Luther King, Jr. It’s not something I ever thought I had. Courage is for soldiers and firefighters, police, paramedics and martyrs. Because of Covid, it’s the stuff… January 31, 2021The people we needPeople, People who need people, Are the luckiest people in the world We’re children, needing other children And yet letting a grown-up pride Hide all the need inside Acting more like children than children Barbara… January 17, 2021Of Helpers and HopeOn a downtown street in Annapolis hand-knitted scarves are tethered around trees and telephone poles. Each bears a small card that reads: “I am not lost. I was handmade for you. If you are cold… January 3, 2021The Solace of Dogs and DecembersShe stares up at me with auburn eyes, alert and ready for any movement. Walking with Charlie, our two-year old adopted greyhound, brings time for reflection, especially on the cusp of a new year. Nine… December 20, 2020Behind the maskLiving in downtown Annapolis, we’ve been watching reconstruction of Lawyers Mall, the open-air, bricked plaza facing Maryland’s State House, for more than two years now. Recently, I spoke with one of the dozens of workmen… December 6, 2020The greatest giftDecember. Even the word conjures joy, starlit skies and glittering streets, breath that dances in the air, sweet candy cane kisses. A world in the best of moods. But maybe not this year. In these… November 22, 2020When parents disagreeA mom phoned the other day to talk about her daughter, just 19, living in a far-away state. The girl had been abusing drugs for several years, drifting in and out of treatment centers. She… November 8, 2020A Thanksgiving LessonBecause of COVID, my family will not be together this Thanksgiving. But we’ll be fine. We have years of warm memories. All, except one. When Jacob was actively using and falling deeper into addiction, Thanksgiving… October 25, 2020The PrayerIt always surprises me how many people don’t know it. It also surprises me how many do. When I first heard the Serenity Prayer, there was no personal link to addiction. In 1992 my work… October 11, 2020Believing (in) my sonJacob was right. I just didn’t understand it at the time. It was eight years ago and one year into his sobriety. We were seated at an outdoor breakfast café in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where… September 27, 2020What I didn’t sayLast Saturday I stumbled across a small gathering of people clustered in a circle at a street-end park. They were seated on lawn chairs and beach blankets on a patch of green under a cobalt… September 13, 2020Where should we send our son?After months of trying to hide that their child is abusing drugs, parents often ask me, “Where did you send your son to ‘get well’?” I know what they really mean. They know Jacob is… August 30, 2020When friends awaitWhen Jacob was actively using, I shunned not only my family, but also my friends. They sensed something was wrong. But I didn’t want them to. I blocked their every attempt to draw me out… August 16, 2020Recovery by ZoomI knew it the instant I walked through the door. Only six people attended my first Al-Anon meeting, but I knew I’d found a home. One of the men recognized me. Despite my frantic, misguided… August 2, 2020How do I know he’s clean?It happens often. When my husband and I are invited to speak in family workshops to help parents and spouses of loved ones battling addiction, we learn more than we give. During a recent event… July 19, 2020The Other Side of Social DistancingSocial distancing may be saving lives during this pandemic. Scientists say it’s an important step we each should take to help defeat the virus. But it may be taking lives, too. In a sad, tragic… July 5, 2020What to do with “Worry”When Jacob was using, my only worry was for him. I never had to worry that his addiction might mingle with a deadly virus. Today I hear stories of families during this quarantine who shelter… June 21, 2020UncertaintyEvery good plan has a backup. At least, that’s what I learned in years of management. But with COVID-19, planning is difficult. When Jacob was using, I could never plan. For a brief time we… June 7, 2020How long will it take?When my son was in active addiction, and I was lost how to help him – or myself – I feared looking too far into the future. For many months, each day brought a new… May 24, 2020The Epidemic within the PandemicBuried on an inside page, the article was barely noticeable. When a pandemic takes over, there’s no space for other news. The headline on p.4 read: “Virus not sole factor for rise in US deaths.”… May 10, 2020Mother’s Day: Earning it*When my son was in active addiction I hated holidays. Mother’s Day was among the worst. Walking through town I passed families with teenagers, toddlers and baby carriages. My eye would catch a grandmother smiling… May 3, 2020A new gratitude listFunny how a worldwide pandemic can prompt a new gratitude list. Husband, children, a home – my son years into recovery – all still count. But weeks of quarantine and social distancing have added a… April 19, 2020Humor in the time of CoronaHave you ever taken one of those online personality quizzes? Where some inscrutable formula takes your answers to lame questions and then spits out your top leadership traits? Recently, such a quiz popped up on… April 5, 2020While the world waitsWhile we stay shuttered in, while we honor the people who serve, and pray for healthcare workers risking their lives to save ours, I cling to what I know. During a crisis, beliefs don’t change… March 22, 2020HubrisYou know the word – even if the last time you read it was seventh grade English. Shakespeare’s tragedies defined it. Hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence often combined with arrogance. Hubris was the fatal flaw… March 8, 2020HidingShe was hiding. Even after years of headlines and documentaries and front page coverage on America’s drug crisis, this mother refused to share her story – with anyone. I can tell she is hiding. And… February 23, 2020Does neatness count?I’ve often wondered if personal messiness was cause or symptom of an otherwise disorganized life. When Jacob was using, I tried to ignore it, rationalizing – didn’t all kids go through this phase? Or at… February 9, 2020Valentine’s DayShe was small with glossy brown hair and a pout that ensured she got what she wanted. At age 18 she was what my son wanted. Or so he thought . When Jacob was in… January 26, 2020Even football coachesIn this high season of football a recent article about a well-known coach caught my eye. Two of his sons suffered with addiction. The chaos lasted years. This was full-blown addiction with one or both… January 12, 2020EngagementThe day after I couldn’t stop smiling – until I saw him. The man was all black. His shirt, pants, the cigar he held to his lips, even his skin was black-brown. He was seated… December 29, 2019A new yearEach year’s end – like an anniversary – stirs reflection. The new year marks ten years since since my son moved to Florida, ten years since our lives changed forever. Obviously, I don’t know what… December 15, 2019Religion: harmful or helpful?Recently I spoke to an audience of some 50 men and women about how addiction affects their lives. This time it was in the warm, glowing setting of a Jewish temple. The event planners had… December 1, 2019What we learned in WinnipegRecently Jacob and I were invited to Winnipeg, Canada to speak to families, students, and those still struggling with addiction. We learned that Winnipeg is at the very center of North America – a crossroads… November 17, 2019Does geography matter?Often a parent will ask, “Should I send my child away?” In other words, does geography matter? When Jacob finished his 14-day stay at an Annapolis treatment center, the counselor suggested we send him to… November 3, 2019“Dopesick”I’ve always admired journalists. A journalist who spends years researching a difficult subject – sacrificing personal time with a ferociousness to educate the rest of us – is someone to admire even more. That’s how… October 20, 2019I love you, but…How many times did I say this as my son grew up? How often did I repeat them in the troubled days of his active addiction, sometimes at the worst times? I recall saying it… October 6, 2019AlcogenicThe first time I read that word my son was fighting for sobriety. He was early in recovery and I was reading everything I could about addiction. Ann Dowsett Johnston, author of “Drink,” describes our… September 22, 2019When listening is enoughRecently I overheard a young man in recovery talking by phone to his mother. A distance of several states separated them. But it sounded like the distance was far greater. The man – barely out… September 8, 2019Don’t relapse when I dieIt wasn’t church, but it sure felt like it. On a Sunday morning some 65 men and women sit in a large room, chairs scattered around rectangular tables, their eyes focused on two speakers at… August 25, 2019Two mothers, two sonsGoing to AA meetings with Jacob during family vacations has become as routine as visiting the “100 Flavors” of ice cream on the boardwalk each evening. But this year held a highlight. It began when… August 4, 2019When a friend is hurtingOften I am asked this question: “My friend has a son who is using. What should she do?” The question comes from a place of love. We want to help our friends when they hurt… July 21, 2019Celebrating an anniversaryAt a recent Al-Anon meeting a mother shared how she’d attended her son’s one-year sobriety celebration. This mother was no stranger to addiction. Her son, now in his 30s, had been drinking and using drugs… July 17, 2019Temple IsaiahLisa has been invited to keynote an evening and panel discussion to help families experiencing addiction and mental health issues June 23, 2019Recovery – what’s next?So much is written about how to survive when someone you love is in active addiction. But what happens when recovery begins? When Jacob was using, I lost him. The son I’d raised, the son… June 2, 2019No one gets through it aloneIt haunts me every time. Recently, it was a close friend, a father who is living the nightmare of his son’s active addiction. Complicated by the young man’s mental illness, this father’s not sure which… May 19, 2019Why I still attend Al-Anon meetingsRecently a mother suffering the effects of her son’s substance abuse asked me why I still attend Al-Anon meetings. That evening she was celebrating her loved one’s newfound sobriety. He was six months clean and… May 5, 2019What’s in a word?How often do we hear addiction referred to as a “disease?” And we are told that those who suffer from the effects of the “disease” – directly or indirectly – are ill? For years, professionals… April 21, 2019A Safe DistanceIt’s often the very first question asked. After I share my story with an audience, with or without Jacob at my side, a hand goes up from the back of the room. “My sister has… April 15, 2019Winnipeg CanadaLisa is honored to be invited by Jewish Child and Family Service to a two-day event in Winnipeg, Canada to address several groups. These will include the Shaarey Zedek Synagogue, a high school assembly and… April 8, 2019I apologizeAmong the many life lessons learned through my son’s recovery from addiction, and thereby from my own, is to make amends promptly. I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter if you did or didn’t do… March 24, 2019To Stay or GoThe woman seemed haunted. When she talked about her son, a shadow fell across her eyes. I met Carol (not her real name) recently. She fell in step with me as we walked with a… February 26, 2019Chasing treatmentAt a recent book talk a mother asked me, “How involved did you get in researching places for your son?” Her anxious face catapulted me back into the crazed, frenetic days of Jacob’s disease, when… February 24, 2019Temple Solel in Bowie MarylandLisa and Jacob have been invited to kick off a morning session on addiction and its impact on families. A panel of health experts and legislators will follow February 17, 2019Walk it offYou know it. You hear it incessantly. Exercise is one of the best relievers of stress. It’s something easy we can do for ourselves. But what if you’re suffering the worst kind of stress –… February 3, 2019The Birthday MonthIn the church hall 200 people sit in rows of folding chairs awaiting the night’s main speaker. Eyes face forward. The leader opens with a wide-grinned apology. Tonight’s AA meeting may go longer than an… January 27, 2019Authors’ Fair Goucher CollegeGoucher College has invited Lisa to join some 20 fellow alums for its first Authors’ Fair during homecoming weekend on Saturday, May 4, 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, on the college campus in Towson, Maryland January 13, 2019Hope revisitedIt’s a four letter word. Nowhere could it be more palpable than in this South Florida church where we visit each January with our son. Practically a pilgrimage, this annual return to a place that… January 12, 2019Baltimore Jewish Community Services Sunday February 17In collaboration with the Maryland Faith Health Network and Beth El Congregation. Jewish Community Services has invited Lisa to keynote a session for families on addiction and its impact on their lives December 30, 2018When New Year’s Eve Haunts – and Hope SurvivesEven as a child, I never liked New Year’s Eve. It always seemed forced to me – forced to feel jovial, forced to reflect, forced to look ahead and make promises I‘d never keep. But… December 16, 2018What should I do about Christmas?Families face it every year. When they love someone in active addiction, it’s the dilemma that begins haunting them as soon as the first tinsel appears in shop windows. How do I answer my son’s… December 2, 2018Why I (continue to) go to Al-AnonIf you love someone with an addiction, anniversaries can be tough – especially anniversaries that mark the illness. The first warning sign. First arrest. Rehabs. Relapses. The first 30 days clean. Each December I celebrate… November 12, 2018“Beautiful Boy”Before it slipped away to another town, my husband and I caught “Beautiful Boy” at our local movie theater. It was a weekday. Only two other couples occupied seats. Based on David Sheff’s wrenching memoir… November 11, 2018Key School “My Changing Lives” ProgramLisa has been invited to address ninth graders at this private school about the impact addiction has on the family. The first session will occur November 27 October 28, 2018Seeking absolutionWhen a child falls prey to addiction, when does a parent stop asking, what did I do wrong? What did I do, or not do, to cause this? When does self-incrimination end and absolution begin?… October 14, 2018Getting educatedRecently my son and I were invited to help inaugurate a Family Weekend hosted by the Schnellenberger Foundation in Delray Beach, Florida. Some might recognize this name. In the 1970s Howard Schnellenberger was coach of… October 2, 2018Remember the healthy onesWe all know addiction can affect those nearest the person with the disease. Parents and spouses suffer mightily. But what about others in the family? Or even close friends? One of the questions I face… September 21, 2018Family Education Retreat // Schnellenberger Family Foundation// Delray Beach, FloridaLisa and her son Jacob have been invited by the Schnellenberger Family Foundation to open this three-day workshop designed to help families affected by addiction. For more information visit the Schnellenberger Family Foundation on Facebook… September 16, 2018When someone is sufferingFor a long time I thought I had the “right” response whenever I learned that someone who loves a person with addiction was suffering. Apparently, I’ve been doing it all wrong. Until recently, if someone… September 9, 2018Book talk for the Interfaith Families Project Adult GroupCharles E. Smith Jewish Day School, 1901 E Jefferson Street, Rockville, MD 20852 11:00 a.m September 7, 2018Georgetown East Elementary SchoolGeorgetown East has invited Lisa to meet with the staff to discuss her book and the opioid crisis as it affects families September 2, 2018A Sunday miracle – times hundredsYou need to see it to believe it. In the Washington DC area – every Sunday evening – there’s an open AA meeting that’s been going on for decades. That’s not unusual. What is is… August 20, 2018Summer’s endOn a late August morning just before sunrise only a few people dot the beach. The sand belongs to the seabirds, a fisherman and yesterday’s footprints. Except for the pounding of waves, there’s no sound… August 5, 2018VacationThe word connotes pleasure, relaxation, summertime ease. It’s time away with family, friends, a spouse, a pet. In my family, vacation means Rehoboth. The Delaware-beach resort, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, deep blue beach umbrellas… July 29, 2018TrustA question I often am asked is, when did you start trusting your son, again? As often as this comes up, it always stops me cold. The corollary is rarely asked: how long did it… July 16, 2018Even in PraguePrague, Capital of the Czech Republic. Certainly not a city you would associate with addiction, or any other disease. But there we were in early July, attending an AA meeting with our son. The city… July 11, 2018National Association of Social Workers Maryland ChapterLisa is very pleased to be the keynote speaker for this professional association of social workers at its annual meeting in Linthicum, Maryland. Social workers play a critical role in helping families recover from the… June 17, 2018Essex Library Baltimore County Book TalkLisa has been invited to discuss her memoir and respond to questions from the audience. Free and open to the public June 17, 2018Where there is fear, there is hope.At a recent book talk a woman raised her hand and asked, “Do you ever get over the fear?” Her adult son, two and half years clean, was living several states away. They spoke often… May 20, 2018HidingIt happens frequently. I’m on the treadmill at the gym, and a woman appears at my side. She introduces herself and tells me she just finished “Secret No More.” Tears fill her eyes. She thanks… May 20, 2018Towson branch Baltimore County LibraryLisa has been invited to discuss her memoir and help for families suffering from addiction. The evening is free and open to everyone May 20, 2018Book Talk at Severn Library branch of the AACo Public LibraryThe AACo Public Library has invited Lisa to discuss her book and respond to questions about how addiction can affect parents and families. The event is free and open to the public May 12, 2018Queen Anne’s County Library: Kent Island Branch – Book Talk at 200 Library Circle, Stevensville, MdLisa has been invited to discuss her memoir and answer questions about her family’s experience with her son’s addiction and longterm recovery. This event is free and open to the public April 25, 2018Anne Arundel County Public Schools “Book Club” – Carver Center, 2671 Carver Road, Gambrills, MdLisa and her son Jacob will be speaking to teachers, school system personnel and their guests at this special forum on addiction and hope for recovery, The event is free and open but registration is… April 23, 2018Admiring the older guysWhen we visit Jacob in Florida we often attend AA meetings with him. These are typically “open” – meaning anyone can attend – and normally held in a church. They remind me, again, how grateful… April 12, 2018Not My ChildLisa will be one of several panelists for this Anne Arundel County-sponsored forum on addiction awareness and prevention. St Paul’s Anglican Church 1505 Crownsville Road Crownsville, MD April 9, 2018Safe Stations celebrates first yearThis month marks the first anniversary of a program that’s saving hundreds of lives in a Maryland county ravaged by addiction. Last April, County Executive Steve Schuh, flanked by police and fire chiefs, the health… April 1, 2018Taking steps towards recoveryRecently I met a young woman named “Jen.” After six years on the run, she is living in a female sober living house and testing her first weeks of sobriety. Surrounded by women who are… March 21, 2018American Medical Association Alliance annual conferenceWith the opioid crisis still ravaging American cities and towns, the AMAA, the largest national organization representing the physician family, has invited Lisa to address its annual conference in Chicago this June. Lisa’s son Jacob… March 18, 2018When you want to trust the therapistEven today I cannot recall his last name. He went by some nickname, Art or Andy. He was the first therapist in our family’s lives. Just knowing we were “seeing a therapist” felt so strange… March 7, 2018Public invited to discussion about drugs and addiction at Annapolis synagogueLisa Hillman, former president of the AAMC Foundation, will discuss her recent book,Secret No More. The Hineni committee invites you to be present with us as she unabashedly shares her personal memoir about discovering her… February 14, 2018Understanding Addiction: How the Church can HelpPastor Sara Yotter of Joy Reigns Lutheran Church, 35 Mayo Road, Edgewater, MD, has invited Lisa to share her personal experience with her son’s addiction. A question-and-answer session and book-signing will follow. The event is… February 5, 2018Six YearsWearing a cream-colored polo shirt and dark jeans, the young man stands at the front of the room. Before him is a worn, wooden podium atop a small table. His hair is cropped short and… February 2, 2018“Author discusses son’s addiction in relation to the Jewish community,” Jewish JournalAuthor Lisa Hillman discussed her book “Secret No More: A True Story of Hope for Parents with an Addicted Child” in three separate programs for rabbis, high school students and general audiences that took place… February 2, 2018When it’s about timeThe sudden quiet in their voices catches my ear. The group has been chattering for about an hour. My husband and I are sharing sushi with our son and his friends at a favorite Thai… January 24, 2018Book TalksLisa has addressed book clubs, library, school, professional association and treatment center talks throughout the year. If you wish to invite Lisa to a talk – or to attend any that are planned – please… January 17, 2018Where hope is restoredEach January my husband and I visit our son in South Florida. Frequently he invites us to attend open AA meetings. It’s a glimpse into a world few who are not addicts or alcoholics get… January 6, 2018When a child dies from overdoseNote: Today in Florida my son attends two funerals, both for young men. This post is for survivors. Recently, two mothers who each lost a son to overdose invited me to lunch – just to… December 8, 2017“The Meg Robinson Show,” PodcastLisa and Dick Hillman share their family’s compelling story of struggle, secrets and healing. The interview, “One Family’s Journey Through Addiction,†can be accessed on iTunes and Google Play December 3, 2017Please, send me the roadmapA mother from Texas writes “our family is still struggling a lot. It seems like the wall that our son is putting around him is getting taller every day. It’s heartbreaking to watch him alienate… November 27, 2017A Day serving South Palm Beach CountyThe Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services is arranging a daylong visit for Lisa to address three groups in south Palm Beach County, Florida: (1) a luncheon with area rabbis, (2) an afternoon with… November 13, 2017Angry MomsIf you don’t know one yet, you will These are the mothers whose sons’ and daughters’ obituaries you read in the local newspaper. Joe could light up a room just by his smile. He loved… November 6, 2017A Peak into “Dreamland”“Naloxone isn’t the antidote for heroin. Community is.” Recently, Sam Quinones, journalist and author of “Dreamland,” addressed the Maryland Patient Safety Center conference regarding the opioid scourge in America. His talk was so profound that… October 30, 2017Parole Rotary / Doubletree Hotel, AnnapolisLisa will be the featured speaker at the Parole Rotary meeting to discuss her book and respond to questions about addiction and the opioid crisis October 22, 2017Worth savingRecently, a mom from Florida emailed about her adult son. Not only is he actively using, but his addiction is further complicated with several mental health diagnoses. This mom writes: I have attended three Nar-Anon… October 9, 2017Where hope risesAt 7:40 the room begins to fill. By 10 of eight thick sets of keys and worn paperbacks save empty seats. By 8 p.m. it’s standing room only. My husband and I are attending an… October 8, 2017WRNR Interview, “LifeLines: A Bridge to Recovery”With LifeLines: A Bridge to Recovery, WRNR is putting the spotlight on the opioid epidemic that is plaguing our community. In this inaugural episode, host Rob Timm is joined in studio by Barry Meisenberg MD… October 5, 2017AAMC “Not My Child”: A Candid Conversation about the Heroin Epidemic” Doordan Institute, Belcher PavilionLisa has been invited to keynote this seminar designed for parents of school-aged children from late elementary through high school. Part of the Anne Arundel County Executive’s “Not MY Child” series, the evening is co-sponsored… September 26, 2017“My Son’s Opioid Addiction Made Me Feel Like A Failure On Yom Kippur,” ForwardOn the morning of Yom Kippur our rabbi says a prayer for children. He asks parents to stand with their sons and daughters, regardless of age. Parents place their hands on their child and repeat… September 19, 2017Annapolis Book FestivalLisa has been invited to participate in the 2018 Annapolis Book Festival at Key School, Annapolis, Maryland. This all-day event typically draws more than 3,000 book-lovers for author presentations, panel discussions and readings September 16, 2017Denial: does it delay recovery?Is a parent ever prepared to hear bad news about his or her child? When that first phone call came from Jacob’s teacher at the beginning of high school’s senior year, some sickly fear chilled… September 11, 2017Eastport Democratic Club – Book TalkThe Eastport Democratic Club has invited Lisa to talk about her book and her personal story with her son’s addiction. Q&A will follow September 8, 2017Friends of Perry Hall Library, Author Series August 31, 2017WCAI (NPR), Interview with Lisa HillmanAddiction and overdose are among the most serious social and health issues facing our country today. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called drug overdose deaths “the top lethal issue†in the U.S. with preliminary data showing… August 29, 2017“Breaking the Silence,” Event at The Byzantium, Annapolis, MarylandOpen to everyone, this event is targeted to faith-based leaders. Organized by Anne Arundel County as an extension of its “Not My Child†program. Lisa has been invited to be the keynote speaker. Event tales… August 29, 2017Ask the ExpertsWrite a book about a topic, and instantly you’re an expert. Or people think you are. I often am asked questions that are better directed to those far more knowledgeable. What is your opinion about… August 23, 2017WXXI (NPR), Radio Interview with Lisa HillmanNPR station WXXI’s Evan Dawson interviews Lisa Hillman about her book, “Secret No More.” Listen here for her personal story “with the goal of offering hope to other struggling parents.†August 10, 2017Live Call-in Show on NPR station WXXIPlease join Lisa and host Evan Dawson for his live call-in show “Connections”on station WXXI, Rochester, NY. Live streaming from http://wxxinews.org/programs/connections August 10, 2017A Morning WalkIn July I let my gym membership lapse. My husband and I would be traveling most of the month so it seemed a waste to pay dues. Instead, on a sultry Saturday morning, I chose… August 4, 2017“A mother’s story — When addiction rears its ugly head,” The Bridgton NewsA phone call forever changed Lisa Hillman’s life. She appeared to be living the American dream. Lisa was a highly-successful healthcare administrator and fundraising executive for the local hospital in Annapolis, Md. As president of… July 27, 2017Chesapeake Charities Foundation LuncheonBook talk and signing to benefit Chesapeake Charities at annual luncheon. Location: Chesapeake Bay Beach Club/Kent Island July 27, 2017What inspired me to write “Secret No More”When addiction first crept into our household 11 years ago, I started keeping a journal. Retreating to clean white paper became my refuge. The blank pages stared back, non-judgmental and welcoming. On their unvarnished surface… July 22, 2017“Secret No More, a memoir by Lisa Hillman,” Looking Good MagazineThe first call came while Lisa and her husband, Dick, were relaxing after work in their Annapolis Historic District home. At the time, Lisa was President of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s foundation and Dick, a… July 21, 2017“I’m just curious…”It often begins like this. I’m at a book talk. A woman seated in a back row slowly raises her hand. “I’m just curious. What does your son think of the book?” It’s a question… July 18, 2017Maryland Writers Association, Annapolis Chapter at Maryland Hall for the ArtsPanelist for talk on “Getting Your Book Published.” For more information, visit Maryland Writers’ Association July 18, 2017Horn Point Book Club, Annapolis, MarylandBook talk and signing July 18, 2017Pathways 25th Anniversary CelebrationParticipate in Pathways 25th anniversary celebration. This facility, part of Anne Arundel Medical Center, provides compassionate, confidential inpatient and outpatient care for teens and adults who suffer from substance use July 18, 2017National Recovery MonthTalks at Maryland-area treatment centers. Check back for more information on times and locations. To learn more about National Recovery Month, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), visit… July 18, 2017Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, Lovell, MaineBook talk and signing July 13, 2017South County Book Club, Edgewater, MarylandBook talk and signing. For more info, visit the AAMC site July 12, 2017“A mother’s story of her son’s addiction,” HER Show (RadioMD Postcast)Addiction affects the entire family. How can you handle a loved one’s addiction? Addiction can be frightening to witness. It is a family disease, as it impacts the entire family. Author Lisa Hillman journaled her… July 12, 2017Browseabout Books, Rehoboth Beach, DelawareBook signing. Visit Browseabout Books for more information July 12, 2017Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MarylandPanelist for “Not My Child” presentation July 7, 2017“Author, mother of teenage addict shares parenting journey,” CBS News 8 San DiegoA successful professional, a mayor’s wife and mother of two, Lisa Hillman seemed it have it all figured out. The pain of knowing her teenage son was in the thick of a battle with drug… July 1, 2017“Secret No More: A True Story of Hope for Parents with an Addicted Child,” Outlook By The Bay MagazineAs our nation struggles with the opioid crisis, a new book provides insight on how one family handled the challenge. Lisa Hillman, a well-known Annapolitan and hospital administrator, writes honestly about her family’s terrifying journey… May 29, 2017“Wife of former Annapolis mayor chronicles her son’s struggle with opioids,” Fox 45 NewsThe Annapolis mother of a son who was addicted to opioids has written a book entitled “Secret no More” about how the struggle impacted her entire family. Lisa Hillman says she was first alerted to… May 29, 2017“Lisa Hillman on her book: ‘Secret No More,'” The Annapolis PodcastHost Scott MacMullan interviews Lisa Hillman this week on the podcast. Lisa was the Chief Development Officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center and is currently a board member to the Samaritan House and Pathways here… May 21, 2017“Annapolis family’s dark secret is now a book,” Capital GazetteLisa Hillman is the ultimate Annapolitan. Until recently, she was the senior vice president and chief development officer of Anne Arundel Medical Center, responsible for planning and running multiple fund-raising campaigns for the hospital that… May 9, 2017WNAV 1430 CBS Radio, Annapolis, MarylandInterview with Host Ron George on May 9, 2017