Today is Valentine’s Day, 2018 and the loss of my daughter Laura feels much more real because I can’t call her, tell her home much I love her, or give her that silly gift she’s used to getting from me. There is nothing more profound than the love of a mother for her child and there is no greater loss when that child is no longer with us.

Valentine’s Day made me stop and reflect on the role of love plays when your child is addicted. Love can have profound implications in how you help your child manage through their disease or how you perpetuate their problem.