This article provides a deeper understanding of how substance abuse and mental health effect not just the individual but the entire family system.

Having worked in the court system for several years as a Substance Use Counselor and having worked with “offenders” in the private sector, I have come to realize the importance of changing views of addiction through education, without which, we, as a society, remain in a state where individuals are not afforded the opportunity to reenter society as they have only been caged up and not taught the skills necessary to become productive members of society.

When working on my Master’s degree, I was assigned to read “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. Eleven years later, I am still profoundly affected by his story and his theory and have been able to implement his interventions with various populations. Assigning meaning to suffering or other troubles in life can take us from feeling helpless and worthless to living a life of purpose.