ProjectKnow.com Blog - Understanding Addiction

Sharon was worried about her son, Tom. His grades were slipping, he hardly came out of his room, and he just quit the basketball team. She knew something was wrong, but had no idea what it could be. Sharon tried talking to her son, but that usually led to an argument. What she didn’t know was Tom […]

The pill bottle rattled in Steven’s nervous hands. Trying to hurry, he accidentally dropped the bottle on the bathroom floor. Steven only had a few minutes before his mom returned from the store. This wasn’t the first time he’d swiped a few pills from the medicine cabinet. He decided to take more this time. There were […]

Surrounded by his classmates, Tommy listens as his teacher explains the difference between a bag of candy and a bag of pills. He learns the word “drug.” He begins to gain a basic understanding of the dangers of these substances. Tommy’s in kindergarten. The goal of Tommy’s Ohio school district is to reach Tommy – […]

You probably know Skittles as those cute little candies that come in the red bag. You know…the ones that tell you to “taste the rainbow.” They might give your teen cavities, but they typically aren’t too harmful. If you hear the term “skittles party,” however, we’re talking a whole new level of danger. And if […]

When you hear the term PTSD, what do you think of? Unfortunately many people view this disorder as solely a military issue. They assume only those who have served on the front lines could suffer from PTSD. This view of PTSD is too narrow. In reality, there are many more causes of PTSD. Many traumas […]

Jenny finally made it through her difficult first trimester. The weeks of nausea and overwhelming exhaustion were over. She felt like she could once again handle a night out. While enjoying dinner with friends at her favorite pasta place, she debated pairing her entree with a glass of wine. Would it hurt? Jenny had heard […]

Having a child with a substance abuse problem is one of the most difficult things that can happen to a parent. We’re told over and over again to practice self-care, but how do we do that when our child is slowly killing him or herself? Or what about if they’ve gone through treatment and they’re […]

Do you suspect your teen has a substance abuse problem? Parents approach this issue in myriad ways. Some of these approaches are effective…and some aren’t. Let’s dig in. Avoid These Common Pitfalls Using ineffective methods can escalate the problem and cause unnecessary conflict. To truly help your teen, avoid making the following common mistakes concerning […]

Adolescence is a time of tumultuous change. Teens are exploring who they are and who they want to be. They push at boundaries to determine what they’re allowed to do and what they’re capable of doing. This journey often takes them into the realm of risky behavior. As the parent, should you stop their exploration? […]

You want to trust your teen. You’re trying to find the balance between holding them accountable and having faith in their decision-making. When they’ve broken your trust already, however, this balancing act becomes even more challenging. Invading Their Privacy vs Protecting Your Teen If your teen’s struggling with substance abuse, you may have to take […]