FROM ONE MOTHER OF AN ADDICT TO ANOTHER

There's a feeling we don't talk about. The one that comes when the phone doesn't ring. When days go by and you realize... you're relieved. Relieved you don't have to hear another lie. Relieved you don't have to brace for another crisis. Relieved the chaos has paused, even if the silence terrifies you. And then the guilt crashes in: What kind of mother feels relief when her...

For years, I believed three lies that kept me trapped in a cycle of guilt, magical thinking, and exhaustion. Lie #1: If I love him enough, he'll stop. Lie #2: If I just find the right treatment, therapist, or intervention—he'll come back to me. Lie #3: I caused this. But there was one truth I had to learn the hard way: None of that mattered. Because he's gone. And I'm still here. A...

It’s been 1,460 days of silence, and in that time, I’ve built businesses, started a brand, and moved my life forward. But no one talks about the guilt that comes with success when your child is still lost. Today, I’m talking about the "Grief of Growth." How do you give yourself permission to be a successful entrepreneur, a creator, and a whole person when you don’t even know where your s...

It sucks. It’s scary. And after four years of silence from my son, the only way I survive is by staying preoccupied. In this episode, I’m getting raw about the "work-as-survival" strategy. I’m building startups and staying overwhelmed because the alternative—sitting in the quiet—is too much to bear. This is for the mothers who feel guilty for not thinking about the addiction every second...

The desperate belief that "rehab will fix everything" once you can just get them in the door.

When Psychosis Looks Better: Is My Child Really Safe Or Just Calm Before The Storm? Focus on trying to keep you and your family safe.

The holidays can be overwhelming, especially when addiction and stress are part of your family’s reality. In this 7-minute episode, Nina shares raw encouragement and practical ways to take the holidays one day at a time—without letting heavy emotions or big expectations swallow you up. From small coping tricks to gentle reminders that every morning is a chance to begin again, you’ll walk away with...

How to Spot Early Signs of Addiction in Your Child: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before the Holidays.”  This kind of episode is highly relevant for parents who are just starting to notice changes, suspect substance use, or are overwhelmed with holiday stress and worry about their child's well-being.​

Worried your kid might end up just like you? This episode dives into those fears we all have—wondering if the way we were raised or the struggles we went through will repeat in our children. If you’ve faced addiction, tough emotions, or made choices that weren’t perfect, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about breaking cycles, learning from the past, and hoping for a better future—for you and your chil...

Pregnant and wondering what kind of parent you want to be? This episode is all about getting real with yourself—thinking ahead, facing the family history, and asking the tough questions. When addiction runs in your family, how do you prepare for what’s ahead? No judgment, just honest talk and support for moms-to-be trying to do right by their babies. Whether it’s hope, fear, or both—you’re not alo...

Why won’t they just accept help? It’s the question that haunts so many of us as parents — especially when we’ve offered everything from therapy to rehab, and still hear “no.” In this heartfelt episode, I open up about the gut-wrenching reality of loving a child who’s battling addiction or mental illness but refuses treatment. I dive into the emotional disconnect between what we see and what they f...

In this short but powerful episode, I open up about the confusion so many of us face as parents: Is it mental illness, addiction, or both? When your child is spiraling, it’s hard to know what you’re really dealing with — and even harder to know what to do. I share what I’ve learned, what I’ve lived through, and why the label doesn’t matter as much as the love and support we give ourselves and our...

Have you ever found yourself saying, “Nothing makes me happy anymore” ? I remember when that was my everyday truth. When you’re coping with a loved one’s addiction or mental illness—especially as a parent—it can feel like joy has packed up and left for good. In this episode, I share my own experience with that numb, heavy feeling. Whether this is new for you or something you’ve carried for years,...

As a mother of a child struggling with addiction, there were days when my every thought was consumed by worry, fear, and heartbreak. But over time—and with support, boundaries, and a lot of self-work—I’ve learned that it’s okay to give myself a break. In this short episode, I talk about the steps I took to get to a place where I could say, “Today, I need to think about me.” If you’re stuck in that...

In this raw and honest episode, I’m laying it all out — the top 5 mistakes I made (and maybe you’ve made too) while trying to help my addicted teen. From trying to fix everything, to letting guilt call the shots, to losing myself completely — I’ve been there. This isn’t about shame. It’s about recognizing the patterns that keep us stuck so we can start to break free. If you’re parenting a child st...

There’s a moment—one you never forget—when you realize your child isn’t just experimenting, acting out, or going through a phase. It’s the moment when denial starts to slip away, and reality settles in: They need help, and this is bigger than you ever imagined. As a mother, nothing prepares you for this. The late-night worry turns into fear, the excuses you once made don’t hold up anymore, and the...

Denial is one of the biggest roadblocks to an addict’s recovery, and when one parent refuses to see the reality of their child’s addiction, it creates an even more painful and complicated struggle. I know this firsthand. When one parent is fighting to get their child the help they need while the other minimizes, excuses, or outright denies the problem, it can delay treatment and make the journey e...

In this episode, "I CRACKED AND SAID YES," I open up about a struggle that so many parents of addicts face—the moments when, despite our best intentions, we cave in. I’ve been there. I’ve stood firm, telling myself I wouldn’t enable, that I had learned to say no. And then, in a moment of weakness, I cracked. I said yes. Maybe it was out of fear, exhaustion, or just that desperate hope th...

In this episode, "Is You're Life a Mess?", I get real about my journey as a mom who's adolescent is an addict with drug induced Mental Illness. I share my story of coping with the chaos—both past and present—and offer insights into how we can all learn to keep the mess at bay. But when life inevitably throws us off course, I dive into the art of embracing the mess, understanding...

Estrangement is one of the hardest things a parent can face, especially when it’s tied to addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, or gambling . As a mother currently navigating this reality, I know the emotional rollercoaster all too well—the worry, the guilt, the endless "what-ifs." It’s easy to feel stuck, wondering if you should reach out, let go, or hold on to hope. In this episode, I...

The holidays have ended, and now it’s time to take a step back and reflect. Did you find yourself enabling a loved one struggling with addiction or mental illness? Did you keep the peace at the expense of your own well-being? Or maybe you set some boundaries—but wish you had done more? As a mother who has been there, I know how hard it is to balance love, guilt, and the fear of conflict during fam...

"When Helping Hurts: Parenting a 27-Year-Old Struggling with Mental Health, Addiction, and Life’s Next Steps" Episode Description: In this episode of From One Mother of an Addict to Another , I tackle a deeply complex and emotionally draining family dilemma: parenting a 27-year-old who’s single, jobless, living at home, and struggling with mental health challenges and potential drug or alcohol use...

As a mother, having an addict home for the holidays brings a mix of emotions—relief, hope, anxiety, and sometimes fear. In this episode, I’ll speak directly to parents and loved ones navigating how the family pieces come together during this vulnerable time. Depending on your family’s unique situation, the holidays might feel easier than expected—or present challenges that require difficult decisi...

Holidays can be a time of joy, but when addiction or mental health challenges are part of the picture, they often come with added stress and tough decisions—like whether to include alcohol or how to manage anxiety in the environment. In this episode, I’ll share ideas for creating new traditions that shift the focus away from these concerns and toward meaningful, connection-driven gatherings. Getti...

As a mother, I know how complicated family gatherings can be when a loved one is struggling with addiction or is in recovery. In this episode, we’ll explore the delicate balance of creating a welcoming environment while remembering one important truth: we can’t control the addict’s choices. Whether they choose to drink, use drugs, or stay sober—that’s their responsibility, not ours. While it’s nat...