My Child & Addiction - A Parent-to-Parent Podcast, was conceived and developed by three fathers whose children struggle with Substance Use Disorder. Joined by several other parent support group participants, their hope is that by sharing their stories other parents and family members are offered a little encouragement and heartfelt support as we all travel this most challenging journey together. You are not alone.
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Addiction Recovery Parenting Substance Use Disorder Podcasts
Host and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Sara Abbott, provide a raw, honest, and sometimes humorous look into what it means to live with Borderline Personality Disorder and a variety of other conditions. From relationships, to anger, to sex, and to recovery, she along with guests (and her husband occasionally!) provides a behind the lens view on the world’s most stigmatized mental illness. You find Sara on IG @borderlinefromhell
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Do you feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained, struggling to support your child with substance abuse disorder? This podcast offers practical guidance for parents navigating the challenging journey of supporting a child battling addiction without losing themselves along the way. Each week, you’ll gain critical insights and strategies, including: Learning how to manage the emotional rollercoaster of addiction with effective coping tools. Discover techniques to support your child while mainta ...
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Dive into the experiences of living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Hear powerful stories from individuals with lived experience, their families, researchers, and mental health professionals. Each episode provides a strength-based perspective on mental health, filled with humor, raw emotion, and validation. Every other week you will learn from a group of Super Feelers about how they navigate the world using Dialectic Behavioural Therapy skills. Whether you’re navigating these cha ...
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Meet Mental Note – a podcast highlighting both the work and the beauty of mental health recovery. Stories will span a variety of mental illness struggles from eating disorders to depression, OCD and Bipolar. We will introduce you to relatable personalities, and dive deep into how they choose health amidst daunting illnesses. At the end of it all, we will provide hope that recovery is possible—and worth it.
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More than 50% of American families have a loved one or close relative who is an addict or alcoholic. Although there are ample resources to help these individuals recover, their families suffer, too. Parents, spouses, children, and friends need help navigating this unexpected, challenging disease. Welcome to Thrive While Loving an Addict with KL Wells. She brings together loved ones and family members of addicts and alcoholics. Their insights and perspectives create a community of healing, co ...
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When I found out my son was deep in the throes of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), chaos became the norm. As each step became more challenging, the information on SUDs, treatment, healing, and basically everything that comes with an SUD Family crisis, became overwhelming. Inundated with so much information, I felt like I had crossed space and time and landed in a new world. I actually had: I had entered the world of Recovery. My goal through this Podcast is to condense what I learned into small ...
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SATTC is always looking to “Level Up”. This podcast is a way to engage the community in a fresh, new way to have candid conversations on the amazing work we do surrounding substance use, behavioral health, and opioid use disorder.
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EP 59: She Overdosed 13 Times—Why I Never Gave Up on Harm Reduction
20:17
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20:17What if the key to saving your child from addiction isn’t forcing rock bottom, but showing more love than ever before—even when they’re still using? If you're a parent struggling to support a child in active addiction, this episode explores a path that challenges traditional approaches. Rather than relying on tough love or waiting for your loved on…
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Mini Episode: Everywhere You Go There You Are (Feat. Leslie, Guest Co-Host)
12:12
12:12
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12:12Hi ya'll! Over the next few days there will be mini episodes covering individual topics for the podcast. And then a final, mini episode as a bonus over on Patreon. Today we talk a bit more about masking and how being borderline can result in other people's discomfort. Send us a text message to be anonymously read and responded to! Support the show …
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Using Your Platform to Raise Awareness (feat. Darcy)
29:21
29:21
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29:21Darcy is Miss Personality Northern Alberta and uses her platform to talk about borderline personality disorder. While Darcy hasn't been diagnosed with BPD she identifies with the disorder. Together we explore the impact of her childhood circumstances including a really challenging divorce, and how she found her voice through pageantry. Learn more a…
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EP 58: Why Boundaries Are Not Punishment in Addiction Recovery
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3:07Do boundaries feel like a punishment when all you're trying to do is help your child through addiction? For parents navigating the painful path of a child’s drug use, setting boundaries can feel like giving up. But what if they’re actually the key to preserving love, sanity, and connection in the chaos? This episode redefines boundaries not as ulti…
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EP 57: What If Being a Better Listener Is the Best Addiction Help You Can Offer?
11:29
11:29
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11:29What if the most powerful way to support your child through addiction isn’t fixing the problem—but listening differently? As a parent navigating the chaos of substance use, it’s easy to feel desperate, reactive, and emotionally overwhelmed. But what if there were a better way—one rooted not in control, but in calm presence and connection? Discover …
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EP 56: Hostage Negotiator or Parent? Boundaries, Fear and Love in Addiction
20:25
20:25
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20:25Are you struggling to understand when supporting your loved one crosses the line into enabling their addiction? AWhen a family member battles substance use, parents and caregivers often feel trapped between protecting their child and protecting themselves. This episode tackles the confusion, guilt, and fear that make setting healthy boundaries feel…
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Fighting Shame Through DBT Feat. Dr. Kiki Fehling
46:10
46:10
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46:10As promised I had to talk more about shame. In today's episode Dr. Kiki Fehling brings the DBT perspective to what causes shame, shame vs. guilt, and how we cope with shame. (Can you say opposite action???) Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qynq1T36Lp0 Kiki is a licensed psychologist, author, speaker, and Linehan-Board-certifi…
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BPD Symptoms: Chronic Feelings of Emptiness
59:37
59:37
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59:37Chronic feelings of emptiness are a tough symptom to describe if you haven't experienced it before. In the third episode of the BPD Symptoms Mini Series Laurie is joined by Kat, Shane, and Shannon to talk about one of the lesser understood but deeply impactful symptoms of BPD. We touch on where this feeling (or lack of feeling) shows up in our live…
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EP 55: Why Relapse Doesn’t Erase Progress in Substance Abuse Disorder Recovery
2:42
2:42
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2:42Does relapse mean everything you and your loved one fought for in recovery was for nothing? Relapse can make it feel like all hope is lost — but what if every effort, no matter how small or short-lived, leaves behind a seed of progress? Understanding this can ease the panic and help you hold onto hope, even when things look dark. Hear a powerful pe…
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Intermittent Fasting & Mental Health: The Science Behind What Diet Culture Isn’t Telling You
37:11
37:11
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37:11Intermittent fasting is everywhere—from influencer feeds to doctor’s offices—but is this trending approach to eating really the wellness cure-all it claims to be? In this episode of Mental Note, registered dietitian Jennifer Vittitow joins host Ellie Pike to explore the hidden downsides of intermittent fasting, including its impact on mental health…
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EP 54: Why Relapse After Rehab Happens in Substance Abuse Disorder - And How to Handle It
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9:52
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9:52Have you ever wondered why your loved one relapses even after finally going to rehab — and how you can keep hope alive instead of feeling crushed? Relapse can feel like a heartbreaking setback, but the truth is it’s often a normal part of the recovery journey. Understanding why it happens and what to do next can help you protect your own wellbeing …
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Thriving Not Just Surviving: Navigating Addiction and Family Healing featuring David Hampton
35:34
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35:34In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells welcomes David Hampton, a certified professional recovery coach, author, and speaker from Tennessee. Drawing on his extensive experience in addiction recovery and family support, David joins KL for a candid conversation about the realities families face when a loved one struggles with …
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EP 53: Why Old-School Interventions Fail Family Therapy: and Addiction Done Right
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21:29Attention (A): Are TV-style interventions actually making things worse for your loved one — and your whole family? Most people think an intervention is a one-time ambush that “fixes” addiction overnight. But this outdated, confrontational method often backfires, leaving families confused and alone. In this episode, interventionist Kate Duffy return…
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We didn't get nearly as far into the questions as I wanted to because #borderline and the damn irritation it causes. But this was really fun for us and I'm looking forward to doing a part 2 of reviewing the questions ya'll have for us about relationships with one person having BPD. Send us a text message to be anonymously read and responded to! Sup…
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No Longer Denying Diagnosis Leads to Normal-ish Parenting (feat. Jennifer)
1:01:26
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1:01:26Jennifer is a marriage and family counsellor living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). She shares her personal journey, including her experiences with therapy, the importance of receiving the correct information/diagnosis in order to plan treatment, parenting, and the stigma she’s experienced. Jennifer has spent a lot of time talking to he…
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EP 52: Love in the Chaos: Hope for Families in Substance Abuse Disorder
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3:05Are you beating yourself up for not having “perfect” boundaries while loving someone in addiction? When you’re deep in the chaos of loving someone with a substance use disorder, it’s easy to feel like you’re failing because you keep picking up the phone, making one more rescue, or saying “yes” when you promised you wouldn’t. But what if your messy,…
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EP 51: Tough Love vs. Compassion: Supporting an Addict Safely
5:32
5:32
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5:32Is “tough love” pushing your loved one deeper into addiction instead of bringing them back? Families are often told to cut off contact and wait for rock bottom — but this harsh approach rarely works and can cause more harm and trauma. In this solo episode, host Paul shares eye-opening insights from real experiences and explains why compassionate bo…
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EP 50: How to Support a substance user Without Using Tough Love or Rock Bottom
19:36
19:36
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19:36Is “tough love” really helping your loved one recover — or making things worse? If you’ve ever been told to cut off a struggling family member in the name of “tough love,” you’re not alone — but this approach could be pushing them further into danger instead of toward healing. In this episode, Kate Duffy, a seasoned family substance use expert, unp…
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BPD Symptoms: Unstable and Intense Interpersonal Relationships
1:15:36
1:15:36
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1:15:36It's week 2 of the BPD Symptoms mini series! This week, Laurie, Heather, Kat, and Shane sit down to talk about the rollercoaster of intense relationships — you know, the ones that swing between idealization and devaluation, splitting, with favorite people and kind of take over our lives.... We unpack what it’s like to move through the world with th…
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EP 49: How to Support an Addict Starts with Staying Alive—Narcan Can Help
3:13
3:13
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3:13What if the most powerful act of love was simply keeping someone alive—one breath at a time? In a world where overdose can take a life in seconds, knowing what Narcan is—and what it isn’t—can mean everything. This episode speaks directly to the heartbreak, the fear, and the silent hope parents carry when they’re walking through addiction with someo…
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EP 48: Harm Reduction or Enabling? Why Carrying Narcan Could Save Your Addicted Child
8:10
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8:10What if a single item in your bag could be the reason your child survives an opioid overdose? Opioid overdoses are tragically common, and many parents feel powerless watching their children struggle with substance use. This episode addresses the urgent need for Narcan—a life-saving medication—to be part of every concerned parent’s toolkit, not as a…
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From Why to How: Debbie Simmons on Transforming Grief into a Thriving Legacy
51:51
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51:51In this heartfelt episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells sits down with Debbie Simmons—author, founder, and resilient mother of nine adopted children from the foster care system. Debbie shares her extraordinary journey through infertility, profound loss, and the challenges of raising children with traumatic backgrounds. Together, t…
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Shame and Fear-Based Relationships/Environments
32:28
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32:28Today I talk about how shame feels like it's chewing me up and spitting me out. I talk about the components of a fear-based environment (or childhood) and how that results in chronic shame. And finally, I share your experiences with shame. Send us a text message to be anonymously read and responded to! Support the show You can find Sara on Instagra…
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EP 47: Fentanyl and the Addiction Crisis: How to Support an Addict and Protect Your Family
21:44
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21:44Could one innocent-looking pill be the last thing your teenager ever takes? With fentanyl increasingly contaminating street drugs—even in pills that appear safe—this episode reveals the alarming new reality parents face. Whether your child is experimenting or in recovery, knowing the dangers could mean the difference between life and death. Discove…
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Why Certification Matters: Discussing DBT-LBC Certification (feat. Meredith Meyer, LMFT)
51:31
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51:31Meredith Meyer, LMFT, from the DBT Linehan Board of Certification comes on The Super Feeler Podcast to talk about the significance of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) certification and full DBT programs that are properly aligned with Marsha Linehan’s vision. We also discuss what brought DBT into Meredith’s life, its application in marriage and fa…
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EP 46: Why Listening Without Fixing Helps Parents Support an Addict Child
3:23
3:23
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3:23What if the most powerful way to protect your child wasn't through words—but through silence? When your child is struggling, every instinct tells you to act, to fix, to protect. But sometimes, what they really need is your quiet presence. This episode unpacks how fear-driven reactions can block real connection—and how staying still in difficult mom…
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The Parent Support Group discusses how attending meetings has impacted their ability to cope with raising a child with a substance use disorder or another mental health condition. Caron Treatment Centers’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Adam Scioli joins the meeting. Podcast Disclaimer The Parent-to-Parent Podcasts are provided as a service to you from o…
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Caron Treatment Centers’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Adam Scioli answers questions from parents about newer treatment medications and therapy options, the success rates for young people seeking addiction recovery, and why many treatment professionals are themselves in recovery. Podcast Disclaimer The Parent-to-Parent Podcasts are provided as a servic…
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EP 45: Why Connection Can Prevent Addiction—Even in High-Functioning Families
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8:25What if the emotional distance in a loving, high-functioning family could open the door to addiction in your child? Even in homes without conflict or visible dysfunction, emotional disconnection can quietly create the conditions where grooming and substance use take root. If you're navigating the pain of a child’s addiction, understanding the power…
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EP 44: From Childhood Grooming to Substance Abuse Disorder: Jo Summers' Story of Addiction and Recovery
21:03
21:03
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21:03What if the first signs of addiction start with emotional neglect and go unnoticed until it's too late? Today’s parents face a hidden challenge—understanding how emotional disconnection and modern grooming tactics can lead children down the path of early substance use. If you’re striving to protect your child and keep your family strong, this episo…
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"Electroconvulsive Therapy Saved My Life" Feat. Rachel
41:26
41:26
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41:26Rachel joins the podcast today to talk about her journey with treatments that didn't work and ultimately her journey with a treatment not commonly used that has worked very well for her, ECT or Electroconvulsive Therapy. Rachel's story is unique and I'm grateful she joined the pod to share it! Rachel is raising funds for a wildlife rehabilitation n…
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BPD Symptoms: Frantic Efforts to Avoid Real or Imagined Abandonment
1:25:21
1:25:21
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1:25:21Welcome to a brand new Super Feeler mini-series! Every other week, we're diving deep into the nine symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with a panel of people who live it! In our first episode, we’re talking about frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment — a symptom that many of us feel in our bones. We get into what this …
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EP 43: Forget Tough Love. This Is How to Support an Addict with Compassion and Boundaries
4:21
4:21
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4:21What happens when a child chooses honesty over blame in the face of addiction? In this touching episode, we explore how raw, heartfelt truth can reopen doors that pain has closed. For anyone navigating the complexities of loving someone in recovery, this story reveals how quiet courage and gentle honesty can shift even the hardest moments. Hear how…
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EP 42: How to Support an Addict Without Hating Their Behavior: Tools for Families Facing Substance Abuse Disorder
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8:52
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8:52How do you support a loved one struggling with addiction—without losing your compassion or your mind? If your child or family member's substance use has left you hurt, confused, or emotionally drained, this episode offers a lifeline. Learn how recognizing destructive behaviors as symptoms of a chronic illness—not personal betrayals—can shift your p…
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Shame & Addiction: Breaking the Cycle with Duane Osterlind
44:04
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44:04In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells reconnects with Duane Osterlind, LMFT, founder of The Addicted Mind podcast and expert in addiction recovery and men's mental health. After four years since their last conversation, KL and Duane dive deep into their journeys—KL’s work in mental health and her TED Talk, and Duane’s tran…
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EP 41: Why Ignoring Siblings of Addicts Fuels the Next Generation of Substance Abuse
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20:09What if the overlooked sibling of an addict becomes the next generation's addict? If you're a parent navigating the storm of a child's substance use, you may not realize the silent suffering of their brothers and sisters. This episode uncovers how ignoring siblings' trauma not only deepens family wounds but can unknowingly plant the seeds for futur…
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"I Started Therapy" Feat Paul (again!)
1:16:15
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1:16:15Today Paul gives us updates on his start in therapy a few years after his original time on the podcast! Thank you Paul for once again sharing your story and congratulations on the next steps you've made towards recovery. We love you! Send us a text message to be anonymously read and responded to! Support the show You can find Sara on Instagram @bor…
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Creating a Life Worth Living Through DBT (feat. @the.mindful.wildflower)
54:27
54:27
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54:27Michelle, the creator of the IG page @the.mindful.wildflower shares about her journey with BPD, diving head first into DBT and what it was like to move across the country, quit her job and go through a breakup all at once. Michelle shares her journey of navigating friendship, healing and recovery in a new place and how it has motivated her to help …
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EP 40: Do I Need to Use Drugs to Get Your Attention?”: A Sibling’s Cry in Addiction Recovery
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4:40
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4:40Have you ever wondered what a child might say when they feel invisible in a family consumed by addiction? When addiction takes center stage in a family, it's easy for other voices—especially those of siblings—to be drowned out. This episode sheds light on the emotional toll that drug use can have on the entire family and how one simple, painful que…
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We all need a bit of safety and comfort right now. I find nature really comforting but I'm not always able to go there. Today I'm sending you a bonus guided meditation. A walk through the forest for feeling safe. Send us a text message to be anonymously read and responded to! Support the show You can find Sara on Instagram @borderlinefromhell. You …
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EP 39: The 3 Hidden Roles Siblings Play in Families Struggling With Addiction
11:48
11:48
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11:48Are your other children silently suffering while all your attention goes to the one struggling with addiction? When a child is battling substance use, siblings often take on hidden emotional burdens that go unnoticed—leaving them feeling invisible, anxious, or responsible for the chaos at home. This episode unpacks how addiction affects the entire …
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EP 38: The Forgotten Children of Addiction: Support Strategies for Families Facing Substance Abuse Disorder
21:19
21:19
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21:19What happens to the younger siblings when one child in the family is battling addiction When addiction strikes a family, it's not just the person using substances who suffers—it's the whole family, including the often-overlooked siblings. These children, caught in the chaos, may internalise guilt, withdraw emotionally, or feel invisible. This episo…
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Spiritual Intelligence and Mental Health Feat. Yosi Amram
48:39
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48:39In today's episode I speak with Yosi Amram. Yosi is a licensed clinical psychologist, a CEO leadership coach, an author, and a pioneering researcher in the field of Spiritual Intelligence. We talk what is spiritual intelligence, how it positively benefits mental health and his own experience managing mental health through the use of spiritual intel…
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DBT Skills: Diana Joins Skills Cast To Chat
1:29:50
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1:29:50Diana Partington is back to talk with our DBT Skills cast about what it was like to listen to us work through her book together! Together we discuss about the transformative power of DBT and the importance of community support in the journey of recovery. A lot of tears are shed - thank you for being on this beautiful journey with us. Check out Dian…
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EP 37: Is It Love or Addiction? The Hidden Trap Parents Fall Into with Substance Abuse Disorder
9:39
9:39
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9:39Are you trying to save your child from addiction so much that it's silently destroying your own wellbeing? Many parents facing a child's substance abuse believe relentless rescuing is love—but what if it’s a trap that deepens the struggle for both of you? This episode explores the emotional addiction to rescuing, and why learning to let go without …
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A New Approach to Addiction and Trauma with Dr. Fredric Schiffer
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39:04In this episode of Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells welcomes Dr. Fredric Schiffer, a Harvard-affiliated expert on trauma and addiction. Dr. Schiffer shares his fascinating work on dual brain psychology and its applications in treating various mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. He discusses …
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EP36: She Thought It Was Her Job to Save Him—A Mother’s Journey Through Addiction, Grief, and Self-Healing
21:31
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21:31Have you ever felt like it's your responsibility to save your child from addiction—only to find yourself breaking in the process? When a child is facing substance use struggles, many parents fall into the trap of over-functioning, losing themselves in the process of trying to fix something they can’t control. In this deeply personal episode, Karen …
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