Linda Morgan is a single, working mom who has encountered first-hand the challenges of raising a child caught in the chaos of alcohol and drug addiction. Today, she works with parents in organizations like Parents Helping Parents and Oklahoma Outreach to connect families to appropriate resources and to raise funds to help them pay for their children’s substance abuse treatment.

“On May 3, 2006, after several years of alcohol and drug use, my then 16-year-old son, Chase, almost lost his life from a combination of alcohol and pain killers. By then, I had lost hope that Chase would have much of a future.

Chase was 12 the first time I found him passed out in his room. We began counseling immediately and I took him to his first 12-step meeting. I was no stranger to alcoholism. This disease was common in my family. I was going to make sure it didn’t happen to my son. I would control it, I thought. But I couldn't control it. When Chase overdosed I realized he needed real help - help I couldn't give him. What was I going to do? I was scared - scared I wouldn't find that help. Scared Chase wouldn't survive. This disease had stolen my peace, my relationship with my little boy, my hope for his future, and my confidence in myself.

I was lucky to find a treatment facility for my son that came highly recommended, Hazelstreet Recovery, in Texarkana, Texas." Since I had no money to pay for that treatment, I sold my house and used the equity. It was the best money I ever spent. Chase was in treatment for almost five months. After treatment he was granted a scholarship to attend Oklahoma Outreach’s Sober School, the first sober school of its kind in Oklahoma. He graduated in 2007.

Chase and I have persevered with the help of many others. I remember when Chase was a young child my dream was that he would someday go to college. But as chemical addiction took over his body and our lives, I traded that dream for the simple hope that he would live. "Please God, just let him live," I prayed. Today, my son is not only alive; he is sober and attending Oklahoma State University. I credit his survival to many, but most of all I give credit to God, to Chase and to the many resources we were able to find in the recovery community. I hope my story encourages others who are seeking help. There is hope.”