Revisited – The Elephant in the Room: Facing Addiction as a Family with Brad Sorte

On this revisited episode of Beyond the Balance Sheet, Arden is speaking with Brad Sorte, about a topic that hits close to home for them both – facing addiction as a family. Brad talks about his struggle with substance abuse in his early 20s and his life-altering treatment experience at Caron, a treatment facility for addiction and behavioral health issues where he is now the President and CEO. They discuss the benefits and hindrances that families with resources face when dealing with a child with substance use disorder and how healing is accelerated when healthy boundaries are in place. Brad offers advice for parents of younger children on how to be proactive in having conversations about substance and alcohol use. Tune into this encouraging discussion about family therapy, trauma, and positive changes happening in the field.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [01:35] Brad shares about his background with substance abuse and treatment at Caron
• [11:13] When a family has resources, how does it help or hinder the process of recovery
• [16:16] How to address destructive family systems in order to help children with substance abuse
• [22:40] Best advice for parents of young children when there is a predisposition or possibility for substance abuse 
• [27:52] What changes are happening in the field of addiction treatment

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Money is like electricity and it is a very powerful tool that can be used for tremendous good and growth, but it’s also something that needs to be respected and it can be very destructive and it can be lethal.
• It’s important to identify what the families of the identified patient have been through and how to help them refocus their energy on themselves and not solely focus on the loved one, who is in the midst of a self-destructive cycle
• Kids have access to information with less adult supervision at earlier ages through smartphones and peer groups. Parents of younger children should consider having conversations about substance use and alcohol, in an age appropriate way, sooner rather than later.

RESOURCE LINKS

Caron Website

Brad Sorte Webpage

The Medicine, Science & Art Behind Addiction Recovery – Caron Blog

https://oconnorpg.com/podcasts/the-elephant-in-the-room-facing-addiction-as-a-family-with-brad-sorte

BIO:

As President & CEO, Brad oversees Caron’s extensive continuum of care for teens, young adults, adults, older adults, and families at its facilities in Pennsylvania and Florida, its outpatient treatment centers in Atlanta, Philadelphia,Northern Virginia, and Wyomissing, Pa., and its recovery centers in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Brad Sorte was appointed President & CEO following Doug Tieman’s retirement in July 2021. Backed by his extensive experience in both business and clinical leadership roles, Brad has a rich foundation to continue to propel Caron’s mission and thought leadership forward. He remains committed to his goal of providing a culture in which the business of healthcare never interferes with the fundamental needs of each individual patient.