Inside the Fight to End Addiction Stigma with Emily Aylott
- Evan J. Cholfin
- Jan 8
- 2 min read
What if no parent had to face the trauma of a child’s addiction alone?
By Evan J. Cholfin
On this episode of A Healthier, Happier You, I speak with Emily Aylott, CEO of Mothers Against Addiction (MAA), dedicated to building compassionate community support for families affected by addiction.
In this conversation, we discuss:
☕ How weekly Mother's Share and Coffee & Connections meetings bring parents together for honest conversation and mutual understanding.
📉 Sobering statistics: Over 56,000 overdose deaths annually, most involving synthetic opioids—and what those numbers mean for American families.
💬 The challenge of stigma—why addiction is a disease, not a moral failing, and how language and education are beginning to shift perceptions.
🛠 The variety of support options for parents: using MAA groups alongside Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and others, with the philosophy of “take what you want, leave what you don’t.”
🌐 The opportunities—and limitations—of virtual outreach and word-of-mouth in reaching families nationwide.
❓ Common misconceptions about addiction, “tough love,” and parental guilt, and how to overcome them through support and education.
👩🏫 Hurdles in working with school systems, and the importance of early, honest drug education rather than scare tactics.
🏥 The emotional weight of supporting mothers through trauma, and what sustains those who offer help.
💡 Growing fundraising and partnerships, from TikTok and LinkedIn to benefit galas and walks—all while vetting partners to ensure integrity.
🚀 Goals for the future: expanding volunteer programs, adding HOPE mentors, and the dream of hosting a large nationwide event.
If you want to understand the real landscape of addiction support and community, this episode is an open, heartfelt guide.
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