Understanding Teen Addiction and Family Recovery with Susan Raphael | Recovering Out Loud Podcast

Anthony Degasperis
Jul 14
2 min read

In this powerful episode of Recovering Out Loud, host Anthony Degasperis sits down with Susan Raphael, a respected mental health and addiction clinician based in Toronto. Susan shares invaluable insights into teen addiction, the complexities families face, and practical strategies for navigating recovery together.

Key Topics Covered:

Enabling vs. Supporting: How to distinguish between behaviors that help or hinder a teen’s recovery.
Validating Statements: The crucial role of empathetic, judgment-free communication.
The Fentanyl Crisis: Understanding the current risks and how families can protect their loved ones.
Practical Tools for Families: Strategies from Susan’s book, What’s Wrong with My Teen?, designed to empower parents and caregivers.

About Susan Raphael

Susan is the founder of Sustainable Recovery Counselling Services and brings a unique blend of professional expertise and lived experience. She specializes in addiction and recovery, with a focus on teens, young adults, and their families. Susan is internationally certified by the Canadian Addiction Counselors Certification Federation and works as a referral clinician for the NBA/NBPA Clinicians’ Network.

Why This Episode Matters

If you’re a parent or caregiver struggling to understand your teen’s addiction or mental health challenges, this episode offers hope and guidance. Susan demystifies the often confusing overlap of typical teenage behavior and substance use, offering clear, actionable advice to foster healthy boundaries and effective communication.

Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Susan also highlights several key organizations that provide vital peer support and clinical services to families dealing with addiction:

Families for Addiction Recovery (FAR Canada): Peer support and advocacy for families.Website: farcanada.org | Phone: 1‑855‑377‑6677 ext 207
Sunnybrook Family Navigation Project: Expert guidance for youth and families in the Greater Toronto Area.Email: familynavigation@sunnybrook.ca | Phone: 1‑800‑380‑9367
HOPE (Helping Other Parents Everywhere): Ontario-wide peer support for parents of teens and young adults.Website: hope4parents.ca | Phone: 1‑866‑492‑1299