A year later, national support group making impact in Lincoln area

Beatrice mom Lee Ann Umphenour told Channel 8 about the struggle her family is dealing with: Her two sons use meth.

She said she and her husband have had difficulty dealing with it.

“It’s like you’re living in hell,” Umphenour said.  “I mean, that’s the truth…they’re master manipulators, so you always have to be on your game.”

Around a year ago, Umphenour said they started going to meetings hosted by Parents of Addicted Loved Ones, or PAL.  It’s a national program that provides education and support to family or friends dealing with a loved one suffering from addiction.

Umphenour said the group meetings have made a difference for her and her husband.

“He’s gotten to where he’s not so quiet,” she said.  “It’s been amazing.  It has really been amazing.  We have made great friends.”

On Tuesday, the Lincoln PAL group celebrated one year of helping people like Umphenour.

Brenda Moes started the Lincoln PAL group, which is the only one in Nebraska.

“We’re celebrating that lives have been changed and people are finding joy in their lives,” Moes said.

She said in one year, the group has served more than 100 people, giving them a chance to share their stories and meet others going through the same battle

That has rubbed off on Umphenour.

“It just kind of gives you confidence knowing that you’re not alone in this,” she said.  “It’s an isolating addiction and we’re not alone.”

Moes said they’d like to see the group grow because they’ve gotten calls from interested people as far away as Omaha, Iowa and Kansas.

If you would like more information on PAL, you can visit: palgroup.org or facebook.com/brrendamoes