Addiction Makes Three

When someone you love struggles with addiction, there’s often a voice in your head that says: “Maybe I’m overreacting.” “Maybe it’s not that bad.” “Maybe I’m the problem.” 💥 That, my friend, is self-gaslighting. In this gentle but truth-filled episode, Amanda explores: What gaslighting really is (and what it looks like in your loved one) How gaslighting becomes internalised and turns into your ow...

Are you stuck waiting for your loved one to drink less, admit they have a problem, or finally change? If you’ve been whispering “maybe this is just my lot in life”... this episode is for you. I am getting real about the hidden choices we make every day in addiction-impacted relationships, especially when it feels like we don’t have any choices at all . Inside this episode: The quiet ways women bec...

When you’re living alongside a loved one’s addiction, staying quiet can feel like the safest choice. You tell yourself you’re protecting them, your family, and yourself. You don’t want to make things worse, invite judgement, or fuel the shame that’s already there. But here’s the truth, silence doesn’t always protect you. In fact, it can keep you stuck. And it can keep your loved one stuck, to...

You just want peace. Peace in your home. Peace in your relationship. Peace in your body. But here’s the hard truth no one talks about: The real peace? It’s on the other side of discomfort. In this milestone episode, Amanda gets raw and real about what it actually takes to reclaim your voice and protect your peace when you’re in a relationship impacted by addiction. We unpack: Why the “path of leas...

You’re holding it all together... the work, the parenting, the appointments, the appearances. But behind closed doors, you’re exhausted, anxious, and quietly crumbling under the weight of your partner’s addiction. In this deeply honest episode, Amanda explores what “not okay” really looks like for high-functioning, capable and amazing women. From over-functioning and emotional whiplash to hiding b...

You’ve been holding on hoping that once your partner gets sober, everything will fall back into place. But what happens when that day finally comes… and nothing feels better? In this raw and honest episode on Addiction Makes Three, we unpack the hard truth: sobriety doesn’t magically fix everything. If you’re a high-functioning woman walking on eggshells, exhausted by emotional labour, and silentl...

If you’re lying awake at night wondering “Is it really that bad?” , “Am I overreacting?” , or “How did I even get here?” this episode is for you. In this powerful and compassionate solo episode, Amanda walks you through 11 subtle but life-altering signs that your partner’s addiction might be quietly taking over your world, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. This is not about blaming or sh...

Ever caught yourself thinking, “Surely this isn’t happening in my family… right?” Or feeling like you’re walking on eggshells, second-guessing everything while everyone else insists things are “fine”? In this raw and real episode, Amanda speaks directly to the silent warriors - partners, loved ones, and family members of someone struggling with substance use or addiction. Whether you use that word...

This one’s for the Mother's navigating the unspoken and the unimaginable - the emotional toll of supporting your children when their other parent is struggling with addiction. In today’s heartfelt episode, Amanda gets radically real about what it means to show up as the safe parent ( not the perfect one). Through her own lived experience, she shares what helped her move from daily survival mode to...

If you’re already dreading the holidays months in advance, you’re not alone. When addiction is part of the family picture, Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays and everything in between can feel less like joy and more like survival. The tension. The managing. The bracing. The pretending. The heartbreak. In this episode, we’ll explore: Why holidays amplify stress when addiction is in the mix How to s...

“Just leave.” “It’s not that bad.” Sound familiar? Everyone has opinions about addiction, but most of them don’t help. You’re confused. You’re exhausted. It's a lot right now - addiction, recovery and everything in between, and what do you do? You message someone for advice - your sister, your cousin, a friend, a Facebook group. Suddenly, you’re swimming in five different opinions… and still don’t...

If you've ever found yourself asking, "Should I give them another chance?" you are not alone, and this episode is for you. You're not weak for hoping things will change. You're not naïve for wanting the best. But if you're stuck in a cycle of promises, letdowns, and “one more chances,” it’s time to pause and ask: what is different this time, with this chance? In this episode, we unpack the real re...

We’ve all done it: “Have you been drinking?” or “Did you use?” But asking this question rarely gets you the truth, and it keeps you stuck in the same painful cycle. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why that question shuts down honesty and connection The better way to approach communication when addiction is present What to focus on instead (hint: your wellbeing and boundaries) For spouses and loved...

If you’ve ever thought, “I should know better,” you’re not alone. Loving someone with addiction can make the smartest, most capable women feel paralysed. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why intelligence doesn’t protect you from addiction’s impact The hidden ways you might be over-functioning How to rebuild trust with yourself Whether you’ve been Googling “What does alcoholism look like?”, “Am I enab...

We all want our loved ones to get sober and stay that way. But here’s the truth: it’s not your job to carry them there. But if you're honest? You're exhausted. Your heart is tired from hoping. Your brain won’t stop spinning—thinking, overthinking. You keep showing up, holding it all together… But somewhere along the way, you got lost. Maybe you feel like if you just love them harder… support them...

Change isn’t neat, and it’s rarely a straight line. In this raw conversation with Jack from Real Drug Talk, we dive into what recovery actually looks like, beyond the Instagram quotes. You’ve heard the term rock bottom - but what does that actually mean, how can we change the lens and what really helps someone change? In this raw and eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Jack from Real Drug Talk, who...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with a loved one in active addiction/navigating recovery thinking... “Why didn’t I just say what I meant?” “Why do I always say that when I know it doesn't help?" "Why did I say I was ok with that when I'm not?" If your nervous system is fried, your plate is overflowing, and your words keep getting caught in your throat - you’re not broken. You’re up t...

When you’re in the thick of it navigating a partner’s addiction, it can feel like you’re the only one carrying the weight. The guilt. The confusion. The hope. The heartbreak. The double life of keeping it all together on the outside… while quietly falling apart inside. In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by the incredible Carol Beaumont. Mum, advocate, and co-founder of Her Courage as she op...

If the thought of setting a boundary leaves you spiralling, freezing, or avoiding the conversation altogether… you’re in the right place. I know it's hard, and you don't want to be here or to have to have this conversation at all. And I promise you, it's possible for this to be better, and we can do it, one small conversation and action step at a time. In this episode, I gently walk you through wh...

When you're in the thick of a loved one's addiction, the last thing you need is a polite platitude. “Thoughts and prayers.” We’ve all heard it. Maybe we’ve even said it. But in the face of real crisis, real grief, and real chaos, it’s just not enough. This isn’t about religion or belief. It’s about presence vs platitudes. You’ll hear: Why “thoughts and prayers” often land as dismissive, even when...

Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of your loved one's addiction? Like if you just loved them enough, supported them enough, or said the right thing, they’d finally change? You’re not alone—and I need you to hear this: You are not their rehab. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into: ✅ Why you feel so responsible for their recovery (and why it’s not your job) ✅ How addiction t...

Listening live... join the free 60 minute workshop - Boundaries That Build Connection & Protect Your Peace:  Why They Matter, What Works, & How to Set Them Without Guilt Happening on March 10th and 11th at two different times (LIVE!) The only catch? There is no replay on this one. So secure your spot and I'll see you there. Reserve your Spot Here Cyclone Alfred is on the approach and...

Listening live... join the free 60 minute workshop - Boundaries That Build Connection & Protect Your Peace:  Why They Matter, What Works, & How to Set Them Without Guilt Happening on March 10th and 11th at two different times (LIVE!) The only catch? There is no replay on this one. So secure your spot and I'll see you there. Reserve your Spot Here Have you ever stopped to think about h...

Boundaries, they are the gift that gives, but also... can have us tripping up over ourselves and have us in a tale spin of confusion. Have you ever felt guilty for setting boundaries? Or wondered why the ones you set don’t seem to stick? In this episode we’re diving deep into boundaries—what they are, why they matter, and how to set them in a way that actually works. Or maybe you were like me 5 ye...

Your life looks good on the outside—successful, capable, and "fine." But inside? It feels like a constant battle. Loving someone struggling with addiction comes with an exhausting double life. You’re holding everything together, managing responsibilities, putting on a brave face—yet inside, you're drained, overwhelmed, and wondering why no one sees how hard this really is. Is it wrong to feel this...