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 hope and permission to just be human. Whether you need support, a fresh start, or just a few minutes to breathe, this one’s for you.
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 child.
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 alone in this journey.
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 feel, the fear that keeps them from reaching out, and why love alone isn’t always enough. With raw honesty and lived experience, I share what parents can do when their child won’t get help — and how to stop collapsing under the weight of trying to save them alone.
If you’re stuck in the heartbreak of watching your child spiral while refusing support, this episode is for you.
Key Topics:
Why addicted children often refuse help
The emotional and psychological disconnect between parent and child
How fear and shame can block recovery
When love isn’t enough — and what actually helps
Setting boundaries and getting support for yourself
Takeaway:You are not alone. You are not powerless. And your strength still matters — even when they say no.
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 kids. You’re not alone — and you’re not supposed to have all the answers.
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, I hope my words help you feel less alone. Finding moments of peace or even joy again took me years—and it didn’t depend on my son getting better or even being in touch.
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 cycle of constant worry, this episode is your reminder that stepping back isn’t selfish—it’s survival. You can get here, too. Let me show you how.
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 struggling with addiction or mental illness, this one’s for you. You are not alone.
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 person standing in front of you feels like a stranger. Addiction and drug-induced mental illness don’t just take hold overnight—it creeps in, little by little, until suddenly, you can’t ignore it anymore.
In this episode, I’m taking you back to the beginning—the moment I knew my child needed help. The signs I missed, the excuses I made, and the fear that came with stepping out of denial and into the unknown. If you’re in this place, feeling lost and overwhelmed, you are not alone.
Let’s talk about what happens when you first face the truth, how to navigate those early stages of acceptance, and why the most important thing you can do is start taking care of yourself too.
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 even harder.
In this episode, I’ll talk about the emotional toll of dealing with a partner who won’t accept the truth and how that denial—whether out of fear, guilt, or misplaced hope—can prolong the chaos. But more importantly, I’ll share ways to handle the situation, from setting firm boundaries to having difficult but necessary conversations. How we navigate this dynamic can directly impact how soon our child gets help. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, but facing it together—no matter how hard—can be the first step toward healing.
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 that this time would be different. But it wasn’t. And the guilt that follows can be overwhelming.
I know I can’t go back to yesterday. I can’t undo the moment when I gave in. But what I can do is acknowledge it, learn from it, and decide how I’ll handle it differently next time. That’s the best I can do, and if you’re listening, I want you to know—it’s the best you can do, too.
In this episode, I talk about the emotional rollercoaster of loving an addict and the impossible battle between wanting to protect them and knowing that helping isn’t always truly helping. I share my own experience with enabling, the guilt that follows, and how I remind myself to move forward rather than dwell on past mistakes.
Setting boundaries is one of the hardest things a parent can do, especially when addiction and mental illness are involved. Saying no can feel cruel, even when you know deep down it’s necessary. But every time I stumble, I try to remind myself that boundaries aren’t just for my son—they’re for me, too. They allow me to keep my own life intact so I don’t drown in his chaos.
If you’ve ever cracked and said yes, you’re not alone. This episode is about grace—giving it to yourself, learning from the past, and choosing to move forward in a way that protects your own well-being. We can’t undo the past, but we can take control of what happens next.
Keywords: #ParentalEnabling #AddictionRecovery #SettingBoundaries #ParentSupport #FamilyHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #OvercomingGuilt #HealthyBoundaries #SupportForParents #AddictionAndFamily
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 where we are right now, and using that clarity to pave a path forward. Join me as I explore practical strategies for managing life's challenges, celebrating our growth, and finding strength in our vulnerabilities. This episode is a candid conversation about resilience, hope, and the power of self-discovery in turning life’s mess into meaningful progress.
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’m sharing my personal experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the small but important ways I’m working on coping, healing, and finding peace despite the distance. If you’re struggling with a child, sibling, or loved one who has cut ties, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how to move forward, set boundaries, and take care of ourselves—because healing doesn’t have to depend on someone else coming back.
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 family gatherings. In this episode, I’m looking back on what went right, what went wrong, and how we can start preparing now for next time. Breaking the cycle of enabling doesn’t happen overnight, but recognizing the patterns is the first step. I’ll share my personal experiences, what I’ve learned, and small but powerful ways to start making real changes. It’s never too late to put yourself first, set boundaries, and take back your peace—because next year, you deserve to feel stronger and more in control.
"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 parents, we instinctively want to fix the situation, but what happens when our efforts to help only seem to make things worse? Drawing from my own journey as a mother, I’ll share candid insights into what I’ve learned about supporting an adult child in crisis—while avoiding the trap of enabling destructive behaviors.
We’ll explore:
This is a raw, honest look at the reality many families face, but it’s also a reminder that you’re not alone. Together, we’ll discuss what can—and can’t—be done when love and tough love collide in the most challenging ways.
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 decisions.
Most importantly, I want to remind you of one thing: you matter. Your well-being is just as important—if not more so—than that of your addicted loved one. Prioritizing your self-care and the needs of the entire family is crucial. Together, we’ll talk about how to support your addict in being healthy without slipping back into enabling behaviors, even when emotions run high.
Join me as we explore ways to approach the holidays with balance, compassion, and boundaries, ensuring this season is meaningful and manageable for everyone in your family.
Addiction recovery during the holidays, navigating family dynamics, supporting loved ones with addiction, holiday self-care for parents, setting boundaries with love, managing enabling behaviors, prioritizing family needs, emotional balance during the holidays, self-help for parents, family-focused holiday strategies.
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.
Getting everyone involved in planning and participating eases the pressure and brings a new level of closeness and creativity to your celebrations. We’ll explore how to tailor holiday gatherings to fit your family’s needs—whether that means activity-based parties, collaborative cooking, or games that spark laughter and memories.
These ideas are designed to help you move beyond the “drink and take shots” kind of party, creating a space that feels supportive and inclusive for everyone in your family. Whether you’re dealing with addiction or anxiety or simply want a fresh approach, this episode will inspire you with practical suggestions and encouragement for making the holidays truly special.
Family support during the holidays, new holiday traditions, addiction recovery during the holidays, holiday stress management, family closeness, inclusive gatherings, activity-based parties, planning meaningful celebrations, anxiety-free holiday ideas, creating supportive family dynamics.