You didn't expect this. And you don't have to carry it alone. If your child is caught in addiction, you already know the weight. The sleepless nights. The broken promises. The shame nobody talks about out loud. You've replayed every decision, every moment, wondering where you went wrong. You love your child fiercely and you are exhausted, terrified, and completely alone. You are not failing as a parent. And you are not alone. Tara Norbeck has lived this nightmare. She knows the isolation, the helplessness, and the crushing guilt that addiction drops on the people who love the addict most. In Dear Mom of an Addict, she writes the letter she desperately needed. Ten hard-earned truths that steady your thinking, strengthen your faith, and help you keep loving well even when every choice feels impossible. This is not a book about fixing your child. It's about steadying you. Inside these pages you'll find: Why you didn't cause this, can't control it, and can't cure it and what that truth finally frees you to do How to love your child fiercely without losing yourself in the process Warning signs to watch for, boundaries to establish, and resources to pursue Scripture that anchors your soul when hope feels completely out of reach Permission to protect your heart while still fighting for your child Real, grounded reasons to believe that recovery is possible Tara pairs raw, vulnerable honesty with practical guidance and deep theological truth. She's been where you are. She found her way back to hope. And she wrote this book so you can too. If you're a mother parenting an addicted child, searching for footing after relapse, or just trying to survive another day with your faith still intact, this book was written for you. As a therapist and as a woman who has walked through deep valleys, I can say this book is a lifeline for mothers carrying the crushing weight of a child's addiction. Tara Norbeck writes with raw honesty and brave vulnerability, inviting readers into what she calls "the club no parent ever wants to join." Within that unwanted membership, she offers something every hurting mom needs: clarity, courage, and hope. With tenderness, Tara speaks directly to the mother's heart, gently reminding her of the three C's: you didn't cause this, you can't control it, and you can't cure it. For every mom asking, Was it my fault? Why me? Why our family? This book becomes a steady voice saying, "Dear Mama, you are not alone." What makes this book especially powerful is that it pairs practical guidance: warning signs to watch for, boundaries to establish, and resources to pursue - with Scripture that anchors the soul. Tara reminds us that real hope isn't wishful thinking; true hope comes from the Lord. This is more than a book. It's a companion for the journey. It is one I truly wish every parent navigating the heartbreak of addiction would read. Within these pages, you will find strength for today, wisdom for tomorrow, and permission to protect your heart while still loving your child fiercely. - Kimberly Haar, LPC, LMFT Licensed Therapist Author of Healing from Life's Deepest Hurts: Reclaiming Your Life After Grief, Loss, or Trauma Just one chapter in, I was in tears. Tara writes with a vulnerability that makes every hurting mama feel deeply seen. She doesn't minimize the devastation of loving a child caught in addiction, but she refuses to leave you in despair. Instead, she builds you up with theological truth, real science, and practical tools that finally give you the breath of fresh air you didn't know was still possible. -Olesya Kayton, Host of Knowing God Intimately Twelve years ago, I admitted I was an alcoholic. It wasn't until my second week of rehab that I became fully aware of the pain and suffering my drinking had caused the people who loved me most - my parents. I wish this book had existed for them. My dear friend Tara has poured her heart and soul into these pages so that parents currently suffering in shame and silence know one essential truth: they are not alone. God is with them, tough love is necessary, and others have walked this horrific path and survived. Thank you, Tara, for saying the hard things, for showing the pain that comes from loving a person with an addiction, and for placing God on every page. This message needs to be heard, and I am so proud of my friend for being the one brave enough to share it. -Ashley Martin, author of Lost No More, A Daily Path to God in the Midst of Your Deepest Valleys As a mom whose child has been diagnosed with substance use disorder and bipolar disorder, I have experienced a need to know many of the truths that Tara shares so vulnerably in her book. I too felt shame and wondered if I would ever be "OK" again. When our family began to talk about what was happening, we were surprised by how many friends we had that were impacted by addiction and mental health conditions. I agree with what Tara said, "honesty, even the trembling, messy kind, is