Blog

Author: Lisa Hillman

Worth saving

Worth saving

Recently, a mom from Florida emailed about her adult son.  Not only is he actively using, but his addiction is further complicated with several mental health diagnoses.  This mom writes: I have attended three Nar-Anon meetings but have been unable to embrace the 12 step program. These meetings have left me feeling more hopeless than …

+ Read More

Where hope rises

Where hope rises

At 7:40 the room begins to fill.  By 10 of eight thick sets of keys and worn paperbacks save empty seats.  By 8 p.m. it’s standing room only. My husband and I are attending an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous in southern Miami.  We’re in the large, dimly-lit social hall of a Lutheran church not …

+ Read More

WRNR Interview, “LifeLines: A Bridge to Recovery”

WRNR Interview, “LifeLines: A Bridge to Recovery”

With LifeLines: A Bridge to Recovery, WRNR is putting the spotlight on the opioid epidemic that is plaguing our community. In this inaugural episode, host Rob Timm is joined in studio by Barry Meisenberg MD of Anne Arundel Medical Center; Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams; Angel Traynor, Executive Director of Serenity Sistas Recovery …

+ Read More

AAMC “Not My Child”: A Candid Conversation about the Heroin Epidemic” Doordan Institute, Belcher Pavilion

AAMC “Not My Child”: A Candid Conversation about the Heroin Epidemic” Doordan Institute, Belcher Pavilion

Lisa has been invited to keynote this seminar designed for parents of school-aged children from late elementary through high school.  Part of the Anne Arundel County Executive’s “Not MY Child” series, the evening is co-sponsored by Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Women and Children’s Health services,  Behavioral Health services and the AAMC Foundation. The event is …

+ Read More

“My Son’s Opioid Addiction Made Me Feel Like A Failure On Yom Kippur,” Forward

“My Son’s Opioid Addiction Made Me Feel Like A Failure On Yom Kippur,” Forward

On the morning of Yom Kippur our rabbi says a prayer for children. He asks parents to stand with their sons and daughters, regardless of age. Parents place their hands on their child and repeat the threefold ancient blessing. May God bless and protect you; May God cause His face to shine upon you and …

+ Read More

Annapolis Book Festival

Annapolis Book Festival

Lisa has been invited to participate in the 2018 Annapolis Book Festival at Key School, Annapolis, Maryland. This all-day event typically draws more than 3,000 book-lovers for author presentations, panel discussions and readings.

Denial: does it delay recovery?

Denial: does it delay recovery?

Is a parent ever prepared to hear bad news about his or her child? When that first phone call came from Jacob’s teacher at the beginning of high school’s senior year, some sickly fear chilled our home, even on a warm late-August night.  I wondered if he had the wrong child.  I hoped he did. …

+ Read More

WCAI (NPR), Interview with Lisa Hillman

WCAI (NPR), Interview with Lisa Hillman

Addiction and overdose are among the most serious social and health issues facing our country today. Attorney General Jeff Sessions called drug overdose deaths “the top lethal issue†in the U.S. with preliminary data showing nearly 60,000 overdose deaths in 2016. With overdose deaths rising, and friends and loved ones battling addiction, it’s not uncommon …

+ Read More