Mother’s Day 2017: Gratitude for the Vital Role of Mothers in Recovery

Over our fifty-year history at Narconon, we’ve come in contact with tens of thousands of mothers. These were mothers seeking help for their sons and daughters that had seemingly been lost to addiction. Maybe this was the first time they sought rehab for their child—or maybe it was the tenth or twelfth. No matter which it was, one thing was obvious: At the very heart of these mothers, there was an undying love for their child.

Addiction is accompanied in nearly every case by lies, manipulation, betrayals and crimes. Those recovering in our rehab program tell us how they stole from their moms and dads over and over again until they were locked out of the house. And even then, they broke into the house and stole from them again. And still, mom never gave up. At her very core, a love for her child burned bright, never to be fully extinguished, no matter what.

Of course, we know it’s not only mothers. It’s fathers, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. It’s best friends, co-workers, employers, ministers, teachers, lawyers, doctors and coaches. It’s people of good will with big hearts and the willingness to reach out and offer help. But still, mothers are just special in the world of recovery.

At our graduation ceremonies, when that person who worked so hard to learn how to live a productive, sober life stands up and talks about his path to this moment—when he thanks his parents sitting in the front row for standing by him and helping him find Narconon—and then when he folds his mother in his arms, you can feel the broken hearts healing.

When a mother has her newly sober son or daughter in her arms, tears running down her face, the whole family takes a big step forward toward healing.

This is the love that truly binds lives and hearts together—the love of a mother and father for a son or daughter. And when that child—now grown AND sober at last—can return that love honestly and openly because there are no more secrets, the whole world seems right.

We take great pride in helping sons and daughters return home with their hearts restored to honesty and integrity. We will keep helping as long as there is a need. Thank you, mothers, for your resolute care and determination. It’s our honor to work with you to bring about the miracle of a new sober life.