Hope Institute

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A Tribute to Hope
When our son was about fourteen, we began to see signs of problems. His grades fell, he no longer played sports, he hung out with kids who got in trouble. We tried to cope by talking with him, giving him rewards and punishments, and sending him to a counselor. Astonishingly, we considered ourselves well informed about kids and drugs, and we did not think that was the problem!
Things got worse. There was evidence of drinking and drug use, but we thought these were just occasional episodes. Our son promised not to use again. We tried a different high school. Then we tried another different high school. At last we became convinced that drugs were a significant part of the problem. We took our son to a hospital and signed him in. A week later we took him home.
Then we went to the Hope Institute. Yes, the family had to be involved -- three nights per week, just like the kids. Over two years we learned a lot more about drug abuse, and our family learned to talk together better. Our son's downhill slide stopped. He graduated high school. We were cautiously hopeful.
As a result of too much freedom too soon, however, another disaster occurred in our son's life. Thank God there were no serious injuries. Now we knew. Aided by consultation with the Hope Staff, we were able to find a residential, sober living program for our son. We gave him a choice between the program and the street. He lived there nine months, and now has 18 months sober. Things are not perfect, but his life is back on track.
I don't think this would have happened without the Hope Institute. In so many ways they have taught us, supported us, and have always been there when we were in need. Our thanks to Ira, Karen, Ted, Debbie, Francine, and all the Hope family!
...A grateful parent

As we grow, we would like to present you, our visitor, with information useful to you in the area of recovery and family education. There are any numbers of 'lists' that might be of interest. This page will lead you to specific information you may be looking for. If you have found others helpful in your situation, please send them to us and we will post them here.
“Are you a frustrated parent at the end of his or her rope? Raising a troubled teenager that suffers from some or all of the following problems: misbehaving, lying, stealing, ditching school, arguing, running away, drinking alcohol, using prescription drugs, using over-the-counter drugs, smoking marijuana?
Is your child's behavior keeping him or her from growing up and becoming a success?
There is help through an outpatient program, in Orange County, called The Hope Institute. Not only do they work with the teenagers, but also, support the parents in coping with the insanity of it all.”