Sometimes the hardest part about addiction…. is realising how much you have changed too.

In this deeply personal episode, Amanda opens up about the grief of losing yourself in survival mode.

The anxiety.

The hypervigilance.

The exhaustion.

The version of you that slowly disappeared while trying to hold everything together.

Because addiction doesn’t just impact the person struggling.

It changes the people around them too.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

• How survival mode slowly changes you
• The grief of losing yourself in addiction
• Why hypervigilance becomes your “normal”
• The hidden emotional exhaustion partners carry
• Why you may not recognise yourself anymore
• The difference between your identity and your survival adaptations
• Rebuilding self-trust and reconnecting with yourself
• Why life is not supposed to feel like constant survival mode

You didn’t lose yourself because you were weak.

You lost parts of yourself trying to survive something really hard for a really long time.

The version of you that exists in survival mode… is not who you are.

It’s an adaptation.

And underneath it all?

You are still there.

So if you’re quietly thinking: “God… I miss myself…”

The waitlist for Pathway to Wellness is open if you want to find out more.

Amanda has also opened some private “friendly chat” spaces to talk it through with you and support you to take your next smallest step.

👉 Join the Waitlist for the Pathway to Wellness Program

👉 book in a friendly chat to talk it through

Private and confidential. No pressure. Just support.

You were never supposed to carry this much for this long.

And you deserve to live your life too.

And when you are off the addiction roller coaster, and living your life, you're better for you, your family and your loved one and you can lead the way for change in your family.

If you’re ready for support to create real change, you don’t have to do this on your own.

👉 Join the Waitlist for the Pathway to Wellness Program, or book in a friendly chat with me where we can talk it through and I can suggest the next best smallest step forwards for you.

Connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mother’s Day can bring up a lot for many of us.

And when addiction has touched your life… not all of it feels good.

Because Mother’s Day can become this painful mix of hope, disappointment and grief all at the same time.

In this deeply personal episode, Amanda opens up about the complicated emotional reality of Mother’s Day when addiction is part of your story.

From unmet expectations… to feeling unseen… to grieving the version of family life you thought you’d have… this episode puts words to feelings so many people quietly carry.

• Why Mother’s Day can feel emotionally heavy in addiction
• The hope that “maybe this year will be different”
• The heartbreak of disappointment and unmet expectations
• Grieving the life and relationship you thought you’d have
• The invisible loneliness of high-functioning addiction
• Why social media can make these feelings even harder
• The meaning we attach to gifts, effort, and feeling seen
• How to approach Mother’s Day with more compassion for yourself

You can love your family deeply… and still feel sadness.

You can feel grateful… and still grieve what’s missing.

And multiple things can be true at once.

• Mother’s Day feels complicated
• You feel unseen or emotionally alone
• Addiction has changed how family celebrations feel
• You’re carrying grief no one else seems to notice
• You’re trying to hold it all together for everyone else

If this episode feels close to home… you don’t have to carry this on your own.

Amanda has opened up a small number of “talk it through” spaces - a chance to simply talk things through with someone who understands this space.

👉 book in a friendly chat here

You are allowed to have mixed feelings about Mother’s Day.

And you are worthy of being seen, appreciated, and cared for too.

👉 Resources and support:

If you’re ready for support to create real change, you don’t have to do this on your own.

👉 Join the Waitlist for the Pathway to Wellness Program, or book in a friendly chat with me where we can talk it through and I can suggest the next best smallest step forwards for you.

Connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Questions or reflections? 💌 [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve learnt a lot about addiction.

You understand the patterns.

You can see what’s happening.

You’ve done the reading, the podcasts, the research.

So why does it still feel like nothing is changing?

In this episode, we’re talking about a trap that’s easy to fall into - especially when you’re trying to handle this better:

👉 learning more… instead of doing differently

Because at some point, more knowledge doesn’t create change.

It keeps you in what I call consumption mode.

• What “consumption mode” actually looks like (and how to spot it)
• Why learning more about addiction can start to keep you stuck
• The difference between understanding something and being able to act on it
• Why you can’t access what you know in high-stress moments
• How your nervous system pulls you back into familiar patterns
• Why this isn’t about effort - it’s about implementation
• What actually helps you start doing things differently

You’re not stuck because you don’t care.

And you’re definitely not stuck because you’re not trying.

You’re stuck because knowing what to do and being able to do it in real life…

are two very different things.

There’s no prize for knowing everything about addiction.

Change doesn’t come from more information.

It comes from:

👉 practising something different

👉 applying it in real moments

👉 getting support while you do

If you’re thinking:

“I know so much… but I’m still doing the same things…”

You don’t need another podcast.

You need support to start doing this differently.

👉 Resources and support:

If you’re ready for support to create real change, you don’t have to do this on your own.

👉 Join the Waitlist for the Pathway to Wellness Program, or book in a friendly chat with me where we can talk it through and I can suggest the next best smallest step forwards for you.

You can study the map all you like…

But nothing changes until you actually start walking the path of change.

1️⃣ Book a Friendly Chat: where I can suggest what your next best step forward is, because you’ve been trying “this way” long enough, and it’s not helping anyone.

👉 Click here to find a time

2️⃣ Join the Pathway to Wellness Waitlist: My signature program helps you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction — with calm, confidence, and community

👉 Join the waitlist here

3️⃣ Connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

4️⃣ Questions or reflections? 💌 [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re struggling with a loved one’s addiction and you’re trying really hard to make things better.

Reading.

Listening.

Learning everything you can.

Trying to handle this better.

Trying to respond better.

Trying to make things work.

And yet…

You still find yourself in the same place.

Reacting.

Overthinking.

Carrying it all.

And nothing is actually getting better - in fact it’s getting worse.

In this episode, we’re talking about why.

Because this isn’t a lack of effort.

And it’s not because you’re not capable.

I am talking about...

• Why “trying harder” isn’t creating change
• The trap of believing you should be able to handle this alone
• How addiction becomes normalised over time
• Why this isn’t a knowledge problem
• The difference between awareness and actual change
• Why doing the same things keeps you stuck

I know you’ve done hard things before. Built careers. Raised children. Handled more than most people ever will.

So of course you think:

“I should be able to do this.”

But this is different.

You don’t need more information.

You need the right support.

Because this isn’t something you can think your way out of.

If you’re tired of doing more of the same and ending up in the same place…

This is your moment to do something different.

Not everything.

Just one thing.

If you’re ready for support, you don’t have to do this on your own.

👉 Join the Waitlist for my program, or book in a friendly chat with me where I can suggest the next best step for you.

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

But that change?

It doesn’t have to be everything.

Just the next step.

1️⃣ Book a Friendly Chat: where I can suggest what your next best step forward is, because you’ve been trying “this way” long enough, and it’s not helping anyone.

👉 Click here to find a time

2️⃣ Join the Pathway to Wellness Waitlist: My signature program helps you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction — with calm, confidence, and community

👉 Join the waitlist here

3️⃣ Connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

4️⃣ Questions or reflections? 💌 [email protected]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it’s not a big moment.

Not a crisis.

Not the worst day.

Not the breaking point you thought it would be.

It’s quieter than that.

It’s the moment where something inside you says:

“I can’t keep doing this like this.”

In this episode, we’re talking about that moment.

The one where you realise:

👉 This isn’t sustainable

👉 This isn’t working

👉 And something needs to change

Even if you don’t know what that looks like yet.

🎧 In this episode, we cover:

The “low hum” of anxiety that becomes normal

Why things don’t need to be a crisis to not be okay

What’s actually in your control (and what isn’t)

Why waiting and hoping keeps you stuck

The quiet decision that shifts everything

I know you’ve been holding a lot together for a long time.

Managing.

Anticipating.

Keeping things steady for everyone else.

And it’s costing you.

The truth is, If nothing changes… nothing changes. And over time? It gets heavier. Not lighter.

You don't need to have all the answers. Just to acknowledge:

👉 “Not like this.”

So iff you’re thinking,

“I don’t want another year like this…”

Listen to that little whisper.

You don’t need everything to fall apart to decide something needs to change.

Sometimes it starts with: “Not life like this.”

Ep 41 - The One Question Not to Ask Someone Struggling With Addiction

Ep 53 - Are you Gaslighting Yourself? The Quiet Habit Keeping you Stuck

Ep 6 - Painful thought #1 - Why are they choosing a substance over me?

Ep 47 - 11 Subtle Signs Your Partner’s Addiction Is Controlling Your Life

1️⃣ Book a Friendly Chat: Explore what working together could look like because you’ve been trying “this way” long enough, and it’s not helping anyone.

👉 Click here to find a time

2️⃣ Join the Pathway to Wellness Waitlist: My signature program helps you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction — with calm, confidence, and community

👉 Join the waitlist here

3️⃣ Download the Free Crisis Conversation Guide: Learn what to say (and what not to say) when addiction takes over, with real scripts that help you stay grounded even when it’s messy.

👉 Get the Free Guide

4️⃣ Connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You thought sobriety would change everything. I know I did...

That once they stopped drinking… you’d finally feel better.

More relaxed.

More connected.

Less on edge.

But what happens when sobriety comes… and your relationship still doesn’t feel right?

In this episode of The Part No One Talks About series, we’re talking about something that can feel confronting—but incredibly important to understand:

Sobriety doesn’t automatically fix a relationship.

Because while it might remove the chaos… it doesn’t undo the impact.

• Why sobriety doesn’t automatically rebuild trust
• The difference between stopping the behaviour and repairing the relationship
• Why you might still feel disconnected, guarded, or unsure
• How survival mode patterns can continue even after things improve
• What actually needs to happen for a relationship to move forward

You can want something for so long… and finally get it…

And still feel like something isn’t quite right.

That doesn’t make you ungrateful.

And it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It means there’s more work to be done than just sobriety.

If you’re in that in-between space… where things are “better”… but not actually good…

And you’re thinking:

“I don’t want another year feeling like this…”

I’ve created a live workshop for you:

“How to Live This Year Differently: Whether your loved one is sober or not”

It’s about steadying you.

Inside, we’ll focus on:

• Feeling less reactive and more grounded
• Supporting yourself without burning out
• Creating small but powerful shifts that change your day-to-day

Because when you’re steady?

Everything changes.

👉 Reserve your spot

Or DM me “WORKSHOP” on Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

This workshop is for spouses navigating addiction or sobriety at any stage.

You will leave with practical tools to:

• Reduce reactivity

• Calm your nervous system

• Stop living on edge

• Support your loved one without abandoning yourself

If this episode resonated, don’t wait.

👉 Register here

You deserve steadiness.

This episode is part of The Part No One Talks About series.

If this is your first time here, start from the beginning:

• Episode 80: This Isn’t Just Stress
• Episode 82: How It Impacts Your Ability to Parent
• Episode 83: You Look Fine… But You’re Not
• Episode 84: He’s Sober… So Why Don’t You Feel Better?

Let's connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You thought sobriety would change everything.

That once they stopped drinking… you’d finally feel better.

More relaxed.

More connected.

Less on edge.

But what happens when that moment comes… and you still don’t feel okay?

In this episode of The Part No One Talks About series, we’re talking about something that can feel incredibly confusing:

When sobriety isn’t the relief you expected.

Because while things might look better on paper…

Inside, you might still feel:

• On edge
• Hyper-aware
• Like you’re waiting for something to go wrong
• Unable to fully relax

And no one really prepares you for that.

• Why sobriety doesn’t automatically create calm for you
• The difference between sobriety and recovery
• Why your nervous system doesn’t “switch off” overnight
• What happens when your wellbeing is tied to their behaviour
• Why you might still be showing up in survival mode
• The hidden impact of years of unpredictability, stress and bracing

You can be in a better situation…and still not feel okay.

And that doesn’t mean something is wrong with you.

It means you’ve been carrying a lot.

If you’re sitting there thinking:

“I don’t want to do another year feeling like this…”

I’ve created a live workshop for you:

“How to Live This Year Differently: Whether your loved one is sober or not”

It’s about steadying you.

Inside, we’ll focus on:

• Feeling less reactive and more grounded
• Supporting yourself without burning out
• Creating small but powerful shifts that change your day-to-day

Because when you’re steady?

Everything changes.

👉 Reserve your spot

Or DM me “WORKSHOP” on Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

This workshop is for spouses navigating addiction or sobriety at any stage.

You will leave with practical tools to:

• Reduce reactivity

• Calm your nervous system

• Stop living on edge

• Support your loved one without abandoning yourself

If this episode resonated, don’t wait.

👉 Register here

You deserve steadiness.

Let's connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Part No One Talks About series, we’re diving into the invisible impact of loving someone with addiction.

Because while addiction can be loud…

The impact on you is often silent.

This episode is for the ones who:

• Look like they’re holding it all together
• But feel like they’re bracing every single day
• And wonder why they’re so exhausted… even when nothing “looks wrong”

What we talk about

• Why the impact on partners and family members is often invisible
• The emotional weight of “looking fine” when you’re not
• The constant mental load (the 2am thoughts, the what-ifs, the rehearsing)
• Why you might be cancelling plans or pulling away from people
• The grief no one sees, for your life, your relationship, and what could have been
• Why this isn’t something you just “push through”

Just because it’s invisible

doesn’t mean it’s not heavy.

And just because you’re coping…

doesn’t mean you’re okay.

If you’re tired of feeling like you’re bracing all the time…

And you’re ready to feel even just a little more steady this year.

I’ve created a live workshop:

“How to Live This Year Differently: Whether your loved one is sober or not”

This isn’t about fixing them.

It’s about steadying you.

Inside, we’ll focus on:

• Feeling less reactive and more grounded
• Supporting yourself without burning out
• Creating small but powerful shifts that change your day-to-day

Because when you’re steady?

Everything changes.

👉 Reserve your spot

Or DM me “WORKSHOP” on Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

This workshop is for spouses navigating addiction or sobriety at any stage.

You will leave with practical tools to:

• Reduce reactivity

• Calm your nervous system

• Stop living on edge

• Support your loved one without abandoning yourself

If this episode resonated, don’t wait.

👉 Register here

You deserve steadiness.

Let's connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the part no one talks about.

Not the addiction itself.

Not your loved one.

But you. The spouse, the one without the addiction.

In this episode, we’re diving into the hidden impact addiction has on your parenting. 

The snapping, the numbness, the overwhelm… and the quiet guilt that follows.

Because here’s the truth, It’s not that you’re an impatient parent.

It’s that you’re running on empty and have no capacity.

If you’ve ever:

• Snapped at your kids and thought “that wasn’t about them…”
• Felt physically present but mentally somewhere else
• Wondered why you’re reacting bigger than the moment

This episode is for you.

Your kids don’t remember everything… But they remember how they felt.

And when you’re stuck in survival mode?

That shows up.

Not because you’re a bad parent, but because you’ve been carrying too much for too long.

• Why it’s not about patience, it’s about capacity
• How loving someone with addiction impacts your nervous system + parenting
• The invisible mental load you’re carrying (even if you don’t have the addiction)
• Why you feel like you’re “losing it”… and what’s actually going on underneath
• The small (but powerful) shift that can change how you show up for your kids

If you’re tired of feeling:

• On edge
• Overwhelmed
• Like you’re just surviving

I’ve created something for you.

Workshop: “How to Live This Year Differently - Whether Your Loved One Is Sober or Not”

This is NOT about fixing them.

This is about helping you get steady.

Because when you’re steady?

Everything changes.

👉 Reserve your spot

Or DM me “WORKSHOP” on Instagram and I’ll send it to you.

This workshop is for spouses navigating addiction or sobriety at any stage.

You will leave with practical tools to:

• Reduce reactivity

• Calm your nervous system

• Stop living on edge

• Support your loved one without abandoning yourself

If this episode resonated, don’t wait.

👉 Register here

You deserve steadiness.

Let's connect on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is a little different.

I wanted to sit down and share a personal update, what’s been happening behind the scenes for me, why I went quiet for a while, and what I’ve been navigating over the past few months.

Just before Christmas, I received some devastating news.

A dear friend of mine, Jack Nagel, passed away suddenly.

This episode is me trying to put words to that experience.

The grief, the shock, the strange loneliness of grief when you lose someone you didn’t share “people” with… and how it, to be honest, completely stopped me in my tracks.

I found myself quietly paralysed and questioning everything.

My voice.

My work.

Whether anything I was saying even mattered.

This grief felt so familiar in a way, yet so different. That grief where it just feels so heavy, where you’re quietly carrying something that no one else can really see or understand.

My DMs are always open on Instagram: @addictionmakesthree

1️⃣ Book a Friendly Chat: Explore what working together could look like because you’ve been trying “this way” long enough, and it’s not helping anyone.

👉 Click here to find a time

2️⃣ Join the Pathway to Wellness Waitlist: My signature program helps you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction — with calm, confidence, and community

👉 Join the waitlist here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.