E 158: The Hidden Impact of SUD on Siblings: Guest Lee S Varon

In this episode, Lee S. Varon, LICSW, a social worker, writer, and author of My Brother is Not a Monster: A Story of Addiction and Recovery and A Kids Book About Overdose, joins us to discuss the impact of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) on siblings, especially those who do not struggle with addiction themselves. Lee shares her personal experiences growing up with a family member who had SUD and how it shaped her approach to working with families impacted by addiction.Lee’s conversation highlights the important yet often overlooked topic of how SUD affects everyone in the family, especially young children and siblings who are left to navigate the chaos. She emphasizes the importance of open communication, setting aside time for children without SUD, encouraging their individual pursuits, and ensuring they have support and a space to share their concerns. Lee also offers practical advice on how parents can create balance in the home and provide a safe, supportive environment for all their children.Key Takeaways:Clear Communication: Explain the family situation to children in age-appropriate terms, being open about what’s happening without shying away from difficult conversations.Make Time for Children Without SUD: Despite the focus on addiction, it's essential to carve out moments to spend with children who are not struggling with SUD to ensure they feel seen and heard.Encourage Individual Pursuits: Support hobbies, goals, and interests outside of the addiction dynamic to help children feel empowered and valued.Listen and Support: Actively listen to children’s concerns, both about their sibling with SUD and their own lives. Ensure therapy or support groups are available to them for processing emotions.Lee's work continues to help families affected by SUD, and her books serve as a valuable resource for facilitating tough conversations.Follow Lee on social media:Twitter: @leesvaronInstagram: @leesvaronComing SIoon To Cocoa Village, FLorida:My daughter , Jessica and I are pleased to invite you to the Radiant Women Wellness Weekend. December 6th and 7th, cocoa village, florida. If you are able to make it, and want to be part of an amazing weekend, you can grab the tickets here: https://www.tammyvincent.com/shop/event-ticketsHey there, I’m so glad you’re here and tuning in! If this episode spoke to your heart, just know there’s even more support waiting for you.I work with people who are ready to heal from the inside out — especially those dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, inflammation, gut issues, or burnout. If you’ve been struggling with symptoms your doctors can’t fully explain, it may be that your past is still living in your body. Unhealed emotional wounds and nervous system dysregulation often show up as physical and mental health challenges — and I’m here to help you break that cycle. If you are curious about where you stand energetically, or just need a frequency boost, book your FREE biofrequency voice scan here: https://calendly.com/tammyvincent/complimentary-scan-demoAs an international inspirational speaker, NLP Practitioner, Trauma-Informed Coach, Neurofit Trainer, and Best-Selling Author, I bring both deep personal experience and professional training to the work I do. I believe in prevention, not just

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