Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Addiction Happens to Good People, with Dr. Janelle Martin
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Addiction Happens to Good People, with Dr. Janelle Martin
SUMMARY:
-Guest, Dr. Janelle Martin, author of “Losing Her, Finding Us,” shares the parent perspective of a child’s addiction, alongside her daughter Reagan’s perspective. These dual perspectives (parent and child) in one narrative to validate parents’ feelings, reduce isolation, and offer hope and clarity.
-Janelle sought real-life accounts over “how-to” guides to understand others’ emotions, thoughts, and experiences during a child’s addiction.
-A robust parent program at The Pathway Program (Phoenix) connected her with other parents; weekly meetings were pivotal to feeling safe, seen, and not judged.
-She pursued her own recovery (sponsor and 12 steps) to understand her daughter’s world and to have informed conversations—an unexpectedly life-changing step.
-Like grief groups, parent recovery support equips, reframes expectations, reduces isolation, and fosters compassion.
-Many programs offer family weekends or encourage Al-Anon/Nar-Anon; walking into meetings is hard but profoundly helpful.
-Addiction is widely misjudged as “bad people making bad choices.” Families can look “normal.” Judgment and silence fuel isolation.
-Divorce, parental conflict, and manipulation by Reagan’s father harmed both children; Reagan felt unloved relative to her brother and experienced sexual abuse at age five (disclosed later).
-God’s guidance felt evident in finding The Pathway Program and a tough, effective counselor for Reagan; long-term approach (2–2.5 years) was crucial.
-Scripture study, worship, prayer, and teachings (notably Beth Moore) sustained her; she experienced divine provision (finances, people, peace) throughout.
-Not all counselors understand addiction—seek specialists; forcing counseling rarely works without willingness.
-Post-sobriety, mother and daughter had raw conversations, apologies, and interviews for the book, deepening empathy and respect.
-“Losing Her, Finding Us” is a raw, hopeful, page-turning narrative for parents, loved ones, and anyone seeking compassion, practical insights (boundaries, hard decisions), and resources.
-Janelle leads Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) meetings in Houston on Wednesdays at 7 PM—free, ongoing, and transformative for parents.
-Addiction happens to everyday families. Seek support, cultivate compassion, and learn how to be a helpful ally. There are people ready to take your hand.
-Resources mentioned were Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Celebrate Recovery, PAL, and long-term adolescent/young adult programs.
PODCAST INTRO:
As my guest Janelle Martin shares, addiction affects normal people. I personally think there is no boundary that addiction won’t cross. Mainly because when we use a substance to alleviate pain, find escape, dull our feelings; plain and simple … it works.
Janelle learned this (addiction affects normal people) and countless other things associated with addiction when it came to light that her daughter Regan was using in order to cope with parental heartbreak, trauma and the overwhelm that it brought to her life.
Janelle’s journey through addiction from the parent’s perspective began with fear, grief, and the heavy stigma that so often hushes families. She grew up believing addiction happened to “other people,” until it shattered her own home. What followed was a crash course in letting go, setting hard boundaries, and grieving the loss of shared memories, milestones (specifically her senior year because it all came to a head at that time)—so she didn’t go to the prom, she did not graduate with her class and nor did she get to enjoy all the ways that celebration culminates after 12 years of schooling. Janette found herself missing the simple joy of “normal.”
A turning point came through community. While Reagan entered a long-term adolescent recovery program in Arizona, Janelle found that this recovery program also had a parent group that met weekly—there is such incredible value in finding people who understand without explanation. Encouraged to “work her own recovery,” she got a sponsor and worked the 12 steps, not because Janelle had a substance problem, but her greatest desire was to see her daughter healed so this was how she could meet her daughter where she was. The 12 step process unexpectedly transformed Janelle’s life.
Faith sustained her. She cried out to the Lord, tearfully lamenting in her car. At work she’d be the only one in the office so she would play worship music and she would cry. She’d take long walks with Beth Moore teachings in her earbuds and she would cry—she found strength, provision, and practical help in places only God could have orchestrated.
As an example, she knew nothing about how to address addiction, and she certainly knew nothing about how to begin recovery and yet from a random google search she found the perfect facility and was matched with the right counselor that could work with her daughter in a productive way. Also, being able to afford her daughter’s treatment and the opportunity to travel to see her a few times, funds that were already drained from the divorce and custody battle somehow stretched. Provision met her at every step.
Today, Janelle leads meetings for her group, Parents of Addicted Loved Ones. She offers resources and encouragement to families who feel alone. Her message is simple and liberating: addiction happens to ordinary families. You didn’t cause it. You can’t cure it. But you don’t have to walk it alone.
If addiction has touched your home—or the home of someone you love—there is help and hope for the journey. You’re not alone mainly because Jesus has promised to never leave nor forsake you but He also gives us tangible resources and people who have walked the road we may find ourselves on and they’re ready to lock arms, comfort and lead when possible.
Let’s listen in to discover Janelle’s story and how this has changed not only her life…but because of what she’s been through and the passion she has to help others, she’s changing the lives of countless parents and families.
Live Loved and Thrive!
Sherrie
Connect with Janelle:
Her Book: “Losing Her, Finding Us”: https://www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com/services-1
Website: https://www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com
Instagram: @ourbeautifulrecovery
Facebook: Janelle Martin Author
Janelle leads weekly PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) meetings in Houston, Wednesdays at 7:00 PM (free).
BIO:
Dr. Janelle Martin is a licensed counselor, certified IASIS MicroCurrent Neurofeedback provider, and a doctor of functional medicine. She is the founder of The Mind Connection, a holistic mental health practice based in Houston, Texas, where she helps clients heal from trauma, addiction, and emotional dysregulation using an integrative mind-body approach. Janelle is also the author of Losing Her, Finding Us, a powerful memoir chronicling her daughter’s battle with addiction and their family’s journey to healing. With deep empathy and hard-earned wisdom, Janelle now advocates for families navigating similar paths, offering practical support and hope. Her work combines clinical expertise with personal experience to meet others in their pain and walk with them toward recovery.
View all episodes
By Sherrie Pilkington
5
3030 ratings
SUMMARY:
-Guest, Dr. Janelle Martin, author of “Losing Her, Finding Us,” shares the parent perspective of a child’s addiction, alongside her daughter Reagan’s perspective. These dual perspectives (parent and child) in one narrative to validate parents’ feelings, reduce isolation, and offer hope and clarity.
-Janelle sought real-life accounts over “how-to” guides to understand others’ emotions, thoughts, and experiences during a child’s addiction.
-A robust parent program at The Pathway Program (Phoenix) connected her with other parents; weekly meetings were pivotal to feeling safe, seen, and not judged.
-She pursued her own recovery (sponsor and 12 steps) to understand her daughter’s world and to have informed conversations—an unexpectedly life-changing step.
-Like grief groups, parent recovery support equips, reframes expectations, reduces isolation, and fosters compassion.
-Many programs offer family weekends or encourage Al-Anon/Nar-Anon; walking into meetings is hard but profoundly helpful.
-Addiction is widely misjudged as “bad people making bad choices.” Families can look “normal.” Judgment and silence fuel isolation.
-Divorce, parental conflict, and manipulation by Reagan’s father harmed both children; Reagan felt unloved relative to her brother and experienced sexual abuse at age five (disclosed later).
-God’s guidance felt evident in finding The Pathway Program and a tough, effective counselor for Reagan; long-term approach (2–2.5 years) was crucial.
-Scripture study, worship, prayer, and teachings (notably Beth Moore) sustained her; she experienced divine provision (finances, people, peace) throughout.
-Not all counselors understand addiction—seek specialists; forcing counseling rarely works without willingness.
-Post-sobriety, mother and daughter had raw conversations, apologies, and interviews for the book, deepening empathy and respect.
-“Losing Her, Finding Us” is a raw, hopeful, page-turning narrative for parents, loved ones, and anyone seeking compassion, practical insights (boundaries, hard decisions), and resources.
-Janelle leads Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) meetings in Houston on Wednesdays at 7 PM—free, ongoing, and transformative for parents.
-Addiction happens to everyday families. Seek support, cultivate compassion, and learn how to be a helpful ally. There are people ready to take your hand.
-Resources mentioned were Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Celebrate Recovery, PAL, and long-term adolescent/young adult programs.
PODCAST INTRO:
As my guest Janelle Martin shares, addiction affects normal people. I personally think there is no boundary that addiction won’t cross. Mainly because when we use a substance to alleviate pain, find escape, dull our feelings; plain and simple … it works.
Janelle learned this (addiction affects normal people) and countless other things associated with addiction when it came to light that her daughter Regan was using in order to cope with parental heartbreak, trauma and the overwhelm that it brought to her life.
Janelle’s journey through addiction from the parent’s perspective began with fear, grief, and the heavy stigma that so often hushes families. She grew up believing addiction happened to “other people,” until it shattered her own home. What followed was a crash course in letting go, setting hard boundaries, and grieving the loss of shared memories, milestones (specifically her senior year because it all came to a head at that time)—so she didn’t go to the prom, she did not graduate with her class and nor did she get to enjoy all the ways that celebration culminates after 12 years of schooling. Janette found herself missing the simple joy of “normal.”
A turning point came through community. While Reagan entered a long-term adolescent recovery program in Arizona, Janelle found that this recovery program also had a parent group that met weekly—there is such incredible value in finding people who understand without explanation. Encouraged to “work her own recovery,” she got a sponsor and worked the 12 steps, not because Janelle had a substance problem, but her greatest desire was to see her daughter healed so this was how she could meet her daughter where she was. The 12 step process unexpectedly transformed Janelle’s life.
Faith sustained her. She cried out to the Lord, tearfully lamenting in her car. At work she’d be the only one in the office so she would play worship music and she would cry. She’d take long walks with Beth Moore teachings in her earbuds and she would cry—she found strength, provision, and practical help in places only God could have orchestrated.
As an example, she knew nothing about how to address addiction, and she certainly knew nothing about how to begin recovery and yet from a random google search she found the perfect facility and was matched with the right counselor that could work with her daughter in a productive way. Also, being able to afford her daughter’s treatment and the opportunity to travel to see her a few times, funds that were already drained from the divorce and custody battle somehow stretched. Provision met her at every step.
Today, Janelle leads meetings for her group, Parents of Addicted Loved Ones. She offers resources and encouragement to families who feel alone. Her message is simple and liberating: addiction happens to ordinary families. You didn’t cause it. You can’t cure it. But you don’t have to walk it alone.
If addiction has touched your home—or the home of someone you love—there is help and hope for the journey. You’re not alone mainly because Jesus has promised to never leave nor forsake you but He also gives us tangible resources and people who have walked the road we may find ourselves on and they’re ready to lock arms, comfort and lead when possible.
Let’s listen in to discover Janelle’s story and how this has changed not only her life…but because of what she’s been through and the passion she has to help others, she’s changing the lives of countless parents and families.
Live Loved and Thrive!
Sherrie
Connect with Janelle:
Her Book: “Losing Her, Finding Us”: https://www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com/services-1
Website: https://www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com
Instagram: @ourbeautifulrecovery
Facebook: Janelle Martin Author
Janelle leads weekly PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) meetings in Houston, Wednesdays at 7:00 PM (free).
BIO:
Dr. Janelle Martin is a licensed counselor, certified IASIS MicroCurrent Neurofeedback provider, and a doctor of functional medicine. She is the founder of The Mind Connection, a holistic mental health practice based in Houston, Texas, where she helps clients heal from trauma, addiction, and emotional dysregulation using an integrative mind-body approach. Janelle is also the author of Losing Her, Finding Us, a powerful memoir chronicling her daughter’s battle with addiction and their family’s journey to healing. With deep empathy and hard-earned wisdom, Janelle now advocates for families navigating similar paths, offering practical support and hope. Her work combines clinical expertise with personal experience to meet others in their pain and walk with them toward recovery.