Love Over Addiction

Loving someone with addiction usually means you feel many things: love, anxiety, and frustration (just to name a few). Or even that you're coming unglued. Can you relate? Just know that what you are feeling and what you're going through is a big deal. It's okay for you to feel all of the feels. And that's what I share with you in this week's new episode (as well as an 'A-ha!' moment I had after a...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, there's usually a rollercoaster of emotions - feeling hopeful for their recovery, only to then feel disappointed when they can't get sober. Over and over again. Not only is this frustrating, but it's an unhealthy cycle for you, as well.  So if you've finally reached a point that enough is enough and you've decided to leave, then what? Tune in to thi...

Have you gone back and forth (maybe many times) on whether you should stay or leave your relationship with your loved one who struggles with addiction? And let's be honest: that mental mind game can get pretty exhausting sometimes, right? Just know that it's okay if you don't know right now what you want to do. But it's also so important to remember that you DO have control over your decision. And...

Have you ever thought that if you just keep a smile on your face and look pretty and perfectly together (even though you're barely hanging on), that it will be easier than expressing what you're REALLY going through while loving someone struggling with addiction? But how is that healthy? (Hint: it's not). Tune in to this new episode where I dive into why it's so important to embrace who you really...

You've more than likely tried expressing your feelings to them, right? Like how their drinking or using is affecting you and your relationship. Or that you're at your breaking point in dealing with their behavior. But has that actually helped to change anything? Tune in to this week's new episode, where we do some 'real talk,' and I give some loving truths about what YOU can do if your loved one i...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever thought about the possibility of leaving them? Because let's be honest, it can be exhausting wondering how much longer you can put up with the hurt and ups and downs. Right? And that's what I'm going to discuss with you today. Tune in to this week's new episode, where I share my personal story of how I finally realized that I needed to...

Have you ever felt crazy because of your loved one's addiction? Like, maybe their addiction is all in your mind and not real? Or that you're somehow at fault for their addiction? So how do you move past feeling this way? Tune in to this episode, where I share several new stories that I haven't told before about my personal experience of feeling crazy because of my ex-husband's addiction. Find more...

Have you ever worried that something bad might happen to your loved one that struggles with addiction? Maybe it's a fear of them getting in trouble legally or overdosing...or even dying. Just thinking about this might give you some anxiety, right? But how do you start to overcome this fear so that it's not consuming you? Tune in to this week's new episode to hear why letting go of certain things i...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, you're more than likely taking on too much responsibility. I mean, let's be honest; you're probably the one who always makes sure that everything gets done, whether that's the household, children, finances, or many other things. It can be downright exhausting. So, how can you tell if you're taking on too much responsibility? Tune in to this new epis...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, it can be frustrating because you see them self-destruct. And in turn, it can also sometimes affect you (and your children), right? I've been there before, too. So how can you start to feel better? Tune in to this week's new episode, where we'll brainstorm some consequences for your loved one's behavior. Doing this will help give YOU the power to ch...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever felt like you're losing yourself? Or maybe feel like you're crazy because of things your partner says to you? Here's the thing: that's not healthy. So, how do you find your way back to your true (and healthy) self again? Tune in to this week's new episode to hear some tips on how to do that. Find more here:  https://loveoveraddiction.c...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, you just want to try to make sense of why this is happening to them, right? And you probably also want some validation that they really do have a problem (because let's be honest, addiction can make you feel crazy sometimes). So is there a way to be able to do that (and does it really help)? Tune in to this week's new episode, where I cover several...

As you know, there are many things that a person can be addicted to, such as alcohol, drugs, or pornography. But there's one type of addiction that I haven't really discussed much, which is gambling. I have been learning more and more about it, so I want to share what I've learned so far, including what causes someone to become addicted to gambling. Tune in to this week's new episode, where I'll d...

When you have children with your partner who struggles with addiction, it's important to know and understand that they have an increased risk of developing an addiction themselves. Regardless of how nurturing of an environment you provide to your children, there's still a possibility of this happening. So how do you break this cycle? Tune in to this new episode where I cover why it's so important...

When thinking about your loved one who struggles with addiction, have you ever wondered why it affects them? What is it that makes some more prone to addiction than others? As I've said before, most of my episodes are all about you and your healing. I usually don't concentrate on those struggling with addiction.  But I really think some of this research can empower you to make necessary decisions...

As you may have heard several episodes ago, I'm taking a certification course at Stanford that's all about the history and theories of addiction in a very scientific way. And I'm not going to lie; it's a lot.  But I want to share with you (in a more 'cliff notes' sort of way) some of what I'm learning because I think it will help you understand why people become addicted.  Tune in to this week's n...

This week, I'm switching gears a little bit to talk about a subject that may be a little sensitive to some of you (myself included): abuse. While the thought of possibly being in an abusive relationship may be a bit unsettling, knowing if certain behaviors are abusive is so important. Knowledge is power. Tune in to this week's new episode, where I cover six types of abuse, as well as my personal e...

A loved one's addiction can sometimes have a way of making you feel that what you're asking for in your relationship is unrealistic. Can you relate? But just know that you're not crazy for wanting those things. That's why it's important to understand the steps in their recovery (and yours!) that will help you manage your expectations in a healthy way. Tune in to this new episode where I dive into...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever wondered what it could look like if they ever got sober? Or what their behaviors would be and if they're someone who you can have hope in? Over the last couple of episodes, we've been working through some of the '12 Steps' of recovery because it's important to have reasonable expectations for yourself about where they may be in their r...

If you tuned in last week, you heard me covering some of the first steps in helping you figure out where your loved one may be in their recovery. And this week, we're going to dive in even more. These steps will not only help you understand what recovery looks like for them but how some of it may even apply to your own healing, as well. Tune in to this new episode, where I share the importance of...

If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you might have heard about the '12 Steps' of recovery. These are a set of guidelines (steps) to work toward recovery. As you know, I usually don't go into depth about their alcoholism or addiction. However, understanding these steps can help indicate where they're at in their own recovery. Tune in to this week's new episode, where I'll cover the f...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, they've most likely played mind games with you at some point. As a result, it can lead to anger or frustration on your part (which is completely understandable). So what do you do if they're making you feel like you are the crazy one for getting upset? Tune in to this new episode to hear an important question to ask yourself, as well as what to do w...

Have you ever felt guilty for a tough decision (or many) you've had to make when loving someone struggling with addiction? If so, you're not alone. But why do these feelings come up after all you've been through? And how can you stop feeling guilty? Tune in for this week's new episode, where I address these questions and why feeling guilty is actually normal. Find more here:  https://loveoveraddic...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, there may be periods when they are sober. And then you see a tiny glimmer of hope. But when that happens, do you also worry about the possibility of a relapse? Tune in to this week's new episode, where I share some information about why (and how commonly) relapses occur so that you know what to expect moving forward. Find more here:  https://loveove...

If you have kids, having a real conversation with them about your partner's addiction is important. Because here's the thing: not only is addiction common in many families, but kids are very observant. They notice when something isn't 'right' with their parent that struggles with addiction, and as a result, they may be feeling some shame or uncertainty. Tune in to this new episode where I share wh...