Ep 318: Empowering Sobriety in Teens

Sponsored by Equip: Eating disorder treatment
that works—delivered at home. Visit equip.health/talking for more
information, and a free consultation.


Claudia Black, author of Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens,
joins us to discuss emotional literacy, the power of community in
recovery, and how parents can break enabling patterns to support
their teens' journey to sobriety.


Adolescence is a turbulent time, with teens often encountering
overwhelming emotions and difficult life choices. For some,
substances like alcohol and drugs become a crutch, a misguided
attempt to handle the tumultuous world around them. The
complexities of addiction at such a young age can be particularly
daunting, both for the teens embroiled in substance use and for
the parents striving to help them find their way out.


The challenges of navigating a teen’s journey from substance use
to recovery are multifaceted. At its core, successful recovery
involves unraveling the emotions that drive the behavior. Why do
teens choose substances? Often it’s a matter of emotional choice;
they're seeking belonging, escape from pain, or the comfort of
numbness. When parents step back, they might find they are
inadvertently enabling these escape routes, rather than
challenging their teen to face and manage the real issues.


Enter Claudia Black, a seasoned expert in adolescent and family
recovery. With a career spanning 45 years in residential
treatment and pioneering research on children from addictive
family systems, Claudia is the author of Your Recovery, Your Life
for Teens. Her book serves as a workbook, filled with exercises
that encourage self-discovery and emotional engagement, paving
the way for a clean and fulfilling life.


Discovering Emotional Literacy


Underpinning Claudia's approach is the concept of emotional
literacy – understanding and processing emotions without
resorting to substances. Adolescents often harbor significant
shame and secrecy surrounding their behavior, fearing
disappointment from their parents. Claudia emphasizes addressing
these emotions constructively to cultivate self-worth and align
with personal values, a theme we explore in-depth on today’s
show.


To guide teens through this emotionally-charged landscape,
Claudia's exercises encourage them to identify and acknowledge
their feelings, breaking down the barriers of shame and secrecy.
She introduces techniques for teens to manage their emotions
without resorting to substance use—empowering them to transform
behavioral patterns fundamentally.


Building a Supportive Community


Essential to recovering from substance use is community. Claudia
shares insights on how communal experiences in recovery settings,
where young people can meet peers facing similar challenges, help
instill a belief that life can indeed be different—and better.
These powerful connections often motivate teens to embrace change
and build healthier lifestyles.


Parental Involvement and Education


Parents play a crucial role in their child's recovery journey.
Claudia discusses how parents must adopt new strategies, aligning
their support with the therapist's guidance and confronting
enabling behaviors. Understanding addiction’s impact on the
brain, recognizing patterns, and utilizing leverage without
resorting to fear-based tactics are keys to breaking destructive
cycles and fostering genuine change.


Unmasking the True Self


In her book, Claudia also details how to unmask those secretive
layers that often accompany addiction. By discerning the
underlying emotions and addressing the shame associated with
secrets, teens can learn to navigate life more transparently and
authentically, resulting in long-term recovery.


In the Episode...


Throughout our discussion, Claudia provides a wealth of knowledge
for parents and teens alike. She highlights:


Methods for teens to connect with their emotions safely

Strategies for parents to support recovery without enabling

The importance of aligning parental roles and understanding
individual dynamics

Insights into breaking generational cycles of addiction



If you're confronting the challenges of teen substance use, this
conversation offers vital guidance. To learn more about Claudia's
work, check out Your Recovery, Your Life for Teens on Amazon, or
visit her website at claudiablack.com. Thanks for tuning in—don’t
forget to subscribe and share!


Sponsored by Equip: Eating disorder treatment
that works—delivered at home. Visit equip.health/talking for more
information, and a free consultation.