Watch Now: Family Ties and Other Keys to Overcoming Addiction in Young People

When parents come to Gary Silverman, clinical supervisor at South Miami Hospital’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, for help with a child who has a substance abuse problem, they have often reached a helpless conclusion. They don’t know what to do. Then they are surprised by one of Mr. Silverman’s first responses and how basic it is.

“The most important thing parents can do to make a difference is creating a human connection with their son or daughter,” says Mr. Silverman. “Making time to regularly check in with each other and connect on a close, personal level goes a long way in creating a trusting relationship and opening up healthy lines of communication.”

Mr. Silverman suggests taking practical steps like eating meals together as a family and purposefully unplugging from smart phones, tablets and other technology when talking with each other.

Awareness and Prevention
In addition to meeting with families and patients at South Miami Hospital’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, Mr. Silverman’s work includes reaching out to parent groups, whether through schools or civic organizations, to talk about kids and substance abuse. The Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center partners with key organizations to further the awareness and prevention of the dangers of drug and alcohol among youth. This week, Oct. 23-31, the Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center is honoring National Red Ribbon Week with local partner Informed Families in efforts to raise safe, healthy and drug-free kids.

David Vittoria, assistant vice president at South Miami Hospital’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, talks about the partnership and how to help a young adult with an addiction problem. Watch now:

Tags: Addiction Treatment & Recovery Center, children's health, South Miami Hospital