Last updated:December 6, 2007

POTADA
Parents Of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers

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WHAT IS POTADA?

POTADA is a fellowship of parents and other adult relatives. We meet together to deal more effectively with the anxiety, frustration and heartache that is usually present when our children (regardless of age) are involved with drugs and alcohol. POTADA members are parents, stepparents, grandparents, older brothers and sisters, as well as other concerned adults.

POTADA is an anonymous fellowship. Everything that is said in the group meeting and member-to-member is held in confidence. In this way we can feel free to say what is in our minds and hearts, for this is how we help one another in POTADA.

POTADA is not group therapy, rather it is a setting in which persons who are hurting or in crisis can share their hurt, pain and confusion in a safe environment.

A POTADA meeting is not a program that designs a specific program of action to fit each family. Each member should feel free to accept or reject the ideas and/or opinions presented.

POTADA is not a religious organization or counseling agency. It is not a treatment center nor is it allied with any other organization offering such services.

WHY DOES POTADA WORK?

POTADA breaks down the walls of parental denial of chemical abuse by a child. We learn that our anger, anxiety and guilt contribute to the progress of the illness. Through the exchange of thoughts, feelings and experiences we learn not to play into the progressive illness pattern that so often enables the victim to become worse rather than to recover. Family members learn more effective skills to cope with their problems. We learn what has worked for others.

HOW D0 I KNOW IF I NEED HELP?

AS A PARENT, DO YOU?

• Make excuses for your child’s behavior to your friends or authorities?
• Argue with your spouse about your child’s behavior?
• Find yourself “walking on egg-shells” around your child for fear of upsetting him/her?
• Continually threaten your child and fail to carry out the threat?
• Find money or valuables missing?
• Go out and look for your child or telephone around to find him/her?
• Bail your child out of legal problems?
• Find that you have not had a peaceful night’s sleep in a very long time and constantly worry about your child?

If you answered yes to more than three, attending a POTADA meeting may be helpful to you.

DOES YOUR CHILD?

• Exhibit solitary behavior (staying in his/her room all day) and not participate in family activities?
• Have failing grades in school?
• Experience other problems in school such as cutting classes, being tardy or truant?
• Exhibit drastic mood changes?
• No longer participate in activities?
• React to your authority with physical or verbal abuse?
• Have problems with the Law?
• Disregard curfews and other family rules and responsibilities? 
• Have new and questionable friends? 

If you answered yes to more than three, attending a POTADA meeting may be helpful to you.

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