Parents Navigating Their Youth’s Addiction: One Father’s Story

Are you a parent struggling with a youth or young adult who is suffering from substance addiction? This episode features Yarnell Beatty, a Tennessee parent who lost his oldest son, 24-year old  Alex, to a drug overdose in 2016. 

Yarnell discusses the dos and don’ts for parents wishing to pierce the anger that  substance use disorder and mental health challenges can impose on families and how to preserve a loving relationship with a child who is struggling. Parallelling the parable of the Prodigal Son, hear how this father found self-forgiveness and a way to honor the life of his son by helping other parents avoid his tragic mistakes. 

If you are a parent with a youth or young adult struggling through addiction, Yarnell knows what you are going through, but more importantly, what you will go through. If you are an addiction treatment facility with programs for parents of addicted children, Yarnell is willing to tell his story and help parents navigate through inevitable anger. He is not a licensed counselor or mental health provider, just a parent who knows the effect of the disease on families and grief for the loss of a beloved son. You may contact him through East Brentwood Presbyterian Church, jhilley@ebpctn.org or directly at yarnellbeatty2021@gmail.com.