Addiction Makes Three

We’ve all done it: “Have you been drinking?” or “Did you use?” But asking this question rarely gets you the truth, and it keeps you stuck in the same painful cycle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why that question shuts down honesty and connection

The better way to approach communication when addiction is present

What to focus on instead (hint: your wellbeing and boundaries)

For spouses and loved ones who are looking for resources and support:

If you haven’t the Crisis Conversation Guide (What to say and what not to say when addiction takes over) ? Grab it now—it’s free and full of practical scripts to help you say what you mean (even when it’s messy):

👉 Download the guide

You can also book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amanda and explore what support might look like - without doing this alone, because you know you’ve been trying ‘that way’ for long enough by now.

👉 Book in a friendly chat - Click here to find a time and let's talk about what's possible

📝 Or join the waitlist for Pathway to Wellness, my signature program designed to help you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction.

Your peace matters. And you’re closer than you think.

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

If you’ve ever thought, “I should know better,” you’re not alone. Loving someone with addiction can make the smartest, most capable women feel paralysed.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

Why intelligence doesn’t protect you from addiction’s impact

The hidden ways you might be over-functioning

How to rebuild trust with yourself

Whether you’ve been Googling “What does alcoholism look like?”, “Am I enabling?” or just wondering how your brainy self ended up in this emotional addiction storm… you’ll feel seen, supported, and armed with some ideas about what to stop doing (more research!) and what to start.

For spouses and loved ones who are looking for resources and support:

If you haven’t the Crisis Conversation Guide (What to say and what not to say when addiction takes over) ? Grab it now—it’s free and full of practical scripts to help you say what you mean (even when it’s messy):

👉 Download the guide

You can also book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amanda and explore what support might look like - without doing this alone, because you know you’ve been trying ‘that way’ for long enough by now.

👉 Book in a friendly chat - Click here to find a time and let's talk about what's possible

📝 Or join the waitlist for Pathway to Wellness, my signature program designed to help you rebuild your life alongside (or beyond) a loved one’s addiction.

Your peace matters. And you’re closer than you think.

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

We all want our loved ones to get sober and stay that way. But here’s the truth: it’s not your job to carry them there.

But if you're honest?

You're exhausted.

Your heart is tired from hoping.

Your brain won’t stop spinning—thinking, overthinking.

You keep showing up, holding it all together…

But somewhere along the way, you got lost.

Maybe you feel like if you just love them harder… support them better… say the right thing… they'll finally turn the corner.

This episode explores:

What actually supports recovery (and what doesn’t)

How to stop over-functioning without giving up hope

For spouses and loved ones who are looking for resources and support:

If you haven’t the Crisis Conversation Guide (What to say and what not to say when addiction takes over) ? Grab it now—it’s free and full of practical scripts to help you say what you mean (even when it’s messy):

👉 Download the guide

You can also book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amanda and explore what support might look like - without doing this alone, because you know you’ve been trying ‘that way’ for long enough by now.

👉 Book in a friendly chat - Click here to find a time and let's talk about what's possible

Your peace matters. And you’re closer than you think.

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

Change isn’t neat, and it’s rarely a straight line. In this raw conversation with Jack from Real Drug Talk, we dive into what recovery actually looks like, beyond the Instagram quotes.

You’ve heard the term rock bottom - but what does that actually mean, how can we change the lens and what really helps someone change?

In this raw and eye-opening episode, I’m joined by Jack from Real Drug Talk, who brings a rare and powerful perspective: the inside story of addiction, what recovery actually looks like, and the truth about what it takes to turn a life around.

Jack opens up about his own experience, from being a promising young athlete to spiralling into meth addiction, and eventually finding his way out. We unpack the outdated myths still floating around in the addiction space (like “if they wanted to, they would”), the real role families play in recovery, and why waiting for a loved one to “hit rock bottom” might actually be missing the point.

Whether you’re supporting someone you love or navigating your own recovery, this conversation will give you hope, validation, and insight.

What talk about in this episode

• Jack’s story: how curiosity, insecurity, and disconnection led to addiction
• The problem with “just let them hit rock bottom”
• What change really looks like (hint: it’s not linear)
• Harm reduction vs. abstinence, and why both can have a place
• How families can support without enabling
• What success in recovery really means (it’s not just about not using)
• The 3 pillars Jack sees in people who thrive after addiction

If you’ve ever wondered:

→ Can people really change?

→ How do I support someone without losing myself?

→ What does recovery actually look like - beyond the stereotypes?

This episode is for you.

Connect with Jack:

🔗 www.connectionbasedliving.com.au

📲 Instagram: @realdrugtalk

For spouses and loved ones who are looking for resources and support:

Register for the Three Essential Steps to support your Loved one in addiction or recovery (Without losing yourself in the process)

Happening on June 19th and June 20th (depending on where you are in the world)

Replay is available but you have to register to get it in your inbox

👉 Register Here

If you haven’t the Crisis Conversation Guide (What to say and what not to say when addiction takes over) ? Grab it now—it’s free and full of practical scripts to help you say what you mean (even when it’s messy):

👉 Download the guide

You can also book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amanda and explore what support might look like - without doing this alone, because you know you’ve been trying ‘that way’ for long enough by now.

👉 Book in a friendly chat - Click here to find a time and let's talk about what's possible

Your peace matters. And you’re closer than you think.

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

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with a loved one in active addiction/navigating recovery thinking...

“Why didn’t I just say what I meant?”

“Why do I always say that when I know it doesn't help?"

"Why did I say I was ok with that when I'm not?"

If your nervous system is fried, your plate is overflowing, and your words keep getting caught in your throat - you’re not broken. You’re up to your absolute eyeballs with EVERYTHING and you are absolutely maxed out and struggling here.

And this episode is your exhale. Inside, we’ll talk about:

• Why your brain shuts down in high-stress moments (it’s not your fault)
• What’s really behind the silence, the outbursts, the people-pleasing
• How to interrupt the cycle with one phrase, one pause, one breath
• Why kindness and clarity can coexist—and how to practise it

If you haven’t the Crisis Conversation Guide (What to say and what not to say when addiction takes over) ? Grab it now—it’s free and full of practical scripts to help you say what you mean (even when it’s messy):

👉 Download the guide

If you’ve already downloaded The Crisis Conversation Guide, this is your next step. Ready to go deeper?

Book a friendly, no-pressure chat with Amanda and explore what support might look like - without doing this alone, because you know you’ve been trying ‘that way’ for long enough by now.

👉 Book in a friendly chat - Click here to find a time and let's talk about what's possible

Your peace matters. And you’re closer than you think.

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

When you’re in the thick of it navigating a partner’s addiction, it can feel like you’re the only one carrying the weight. The guilt. The confusion. The hope. The heartbreak. The double life of keeping it all together on the outside… while quietly falling apart inside.

In this powerful conversation, I’m joined by the incredible Carol Beaumont. Mum, advocate, and co-founder of Her Courage as she opens up about her 20-year journey of loving someone through addiction, losing herself along the way, and slowly rebuilding a life of peace, power, and purpose.

Together, we explore:

— The hidden struggle of being ‘the strong one’

— What gaslighting, guilt, and grief can really look like

— Letting go of the façade and stepping into truth

— Why choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s survival

— How peace can feel foreign (and what to do with that)

This episode is for the woman who’s doing her best to keep the peace, protect her kids, and make sense of a world that feels upside down. It’s raw. It’s honest. And it’s your reminder that you are not alone—and that you’re allowed to choose you.

🎧 Listen now. And if this resonates, share it with a friend who might need the same reminder.

✨ Find Carol and Her Courage events at hercourage.co.nz

📸 Follow Carol on Instagram: @hercouragecarol

If this episode hit home, send me a message on Instagram @addictionmakesthree and let me know what resonated most. I love hearing from you.

If you'd like to implement what have been learning on the podcast ...

Be the first to know when the doors open to the Kind and Evidenced based program for loved ones and spouses of those struggling with addiction or in recovery - The three month Pathway to Wellness Program. Drop your details here.

I love getting mail! Send me an email - [email protected]

If you want to have a friendly chat about your current situation and what the next best steps could be: Click here to find a time and we can chat about it. No pressure, just a soft place to land.

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

If the thought of setting a boundary leaves you spiralling, freezing, or avoiding the conversation altogether… you’re in the right place.

I know it's hard, and you don't want to be here or to have to have this conversation at all. And I promise you, it's possible for this to be better, and we can do it, one small conversation and action step at a time.

In this episode, I gently walk you through what to do when boundaries feel terrifying and why that makes complete sense, especially when you're navigating addiction in your relationship.

Whether you’re afraid of conflict, rejection, or what might happen if you actually have to follow through, this is a starting point that’s designed to feel safe, grounded, and doable.

We’ll talk about:

• Why fear will always be in the room (but doesn’t need to drive the bus)
• The quiet power of starting small and building confidence step by step
• How to speak your truth without needing all the answers
• The pre-work to do before setting a boundary so you feel clear and calm, not reactive and overwhelmed

This episode is for you if you’re tired of second-guessing yourself, waiting for the “perfect moment,” or hoping your loved one will just magically change. It’s honest, practical, and packed with compassionate wisdom for anyone who wants to start protecting their peace, one small step at a time.

Want support working through your next boundary? My DMs are open @addictionmakesthree I’d love to hear from you.

If this episode hit home, send me a message on Instagram @addictionmakesthree and let me know what resonated most. I love hearing from you.

If you'd like to implement what have been learning on the podcast ...

Be the first to know when the doors open to the Kind and Evidenced based program for loved ones and spouses of those struggling with addiction or in recovery - The three month Pathway to Wellness Program. Drop your details here.

I love getting mail! Send me an email here or [email protected]

If you want to have a friendly chat about your current situation and what the next best steps could be: Click here to find a time and we can chat about it. No pressure, just a soft place to land.

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

When you're in the thick of a loved one's addiction, the last thing you need is a polite platitude.

“Thoughts and prayers.”

We’ve all heard it. Maybe we’ve even said it. But in the face of real crisis, real grief, and real chaos, it’s just not enough.

This isn’t about religion or belief. It’s about presence vs platitudes.

You’ll hear:

• Why “thoughts and prayers” often land as dismissive, even when well-intended
• What families impacted by addiction really need
• How addiction struggles are treated differently than other illness or tragedy—and why that needs to change
• Tangible ways to lean in and offer meaningful support (even if you don’t have all the answers)

If you’ve ever felt abandoned in your hardest moments, or unsure how to support someone else through theirs, then this one’s for you.

Because we need more than thoughts and prayers.

If this episode hit home, send me a message on Instagram @addictionmakesthree and let me know what resonated most. I love hearing from you.

If you'd like to implement what have been learning on the podcast ...

Be the first to know when the doors open to the Kind and Evidenced based program for loved ones and spouses of those struggling with addiction or in recovery - The three month Pathway to Wellness Program. Drop your details here.

I love getting mail! Send me an email here or [email protected]

If you want to have a friendly chat about your current situation and what the next best steps could be: Click here to find a time and we can chat about it. No pressure, just a soft place to land.

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

Have you ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of your loved one's addiction? Like if you just loved them enough, supported them enough, or said the right thing, they’d finally change?

You’re not alone—and I need you to hear this: You are not their rehab. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into:

✅ Why you feel so responsible for their recovery (and why it’s not your job)

✅ How addiction tricks you into believing you can “fix” someone else

✅ The hidden ways over-helping actually keeps you stuck

✅ What to do instead—so you can stop living in survival mode and start reclaiming your own life

This episode is for the caring, amazing, capable woman who’s exhausted from trying to hold it all together. If you’re done walking on eggshells, feeling powerless, or wondering if you’re the problem, this conversation will be a game-changer.

And if this resonates, DM me on Instagram @addictionmakesthree to share your thoughts so we can keep this conversation going! 💬

Listening live... join the free 60 minute workshop -  Boundaries That Build Connection & Protect Your Peace: Why They Matter, What Works, & How to Set Them Without Guilt

Happening on March 17th and 18th at two different times (LIVE!) The only catch?  There is no replay on this one.  So secure your spot and I'll see you there.  Reserve your Spot Here

Show Notes:

If you'd like to implement what have been learning on the podcast ...

Be the first to know when the doors open to the Kind and Evidenced based program for loved ones and spouses of those struggling with addiction or in recovery - The three month Pathway to Wellness Program. Drop your details here.

I love getting mail! Send me an email here or [email protected]

Are we Instagram friends?

If you want to have a friendly chat about your situation and what the next best steps could be: Click here to find a time

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

Listening live... join the free 60 minute workshop - Boundaries That Build Connection & Protect Your Peace: Why They Matter, What Works, & How to Set Them Without Guilt

Happening on March 10th and 11th at two different times (LIVE!) The only catch? There is no replay on this one. So secure your spot and I'll see you there. Reserve your Spot Here

Cyclone Alfred is on the approach and it got me thinking about storms... and addiction and the huge similarities!

When a loved one struggles with addiction, it can feel like you’re standing in the middle of a cyclone—chaotic, unpredictable, and completely out of your control.  But what if the key to navigating both storms wasn’t trying to control them, or endlessly worrying, but learning how to prepare, how to protect yourself, and what actually helps?

In this episode I'm talking about the emotional turbulence, uncertainty, and fear that both can bring. I am doubling down on the importance of preparation—because waiting until the storm is here leaves you vulnerable and scrambling for a solution that is (most probably) not going to effective.  Just like preparing before a cyclone, setting boundaries and knowing how you are going to respond to situations and events are critical before the chaos hits.  

I'm chatting about the noise of external opinions and how this can amplify confusion, self doubt and uncertainty, making it even harder to know what to do.  Not every voice deserves your attention, and filtering out the noise is essential for protecting your peace of mind. 

While you can’t control the storm, you can control how you prepare yourself and how you respond, and that shift in mindset can be a game-changer.  Experience teaches us valuable lessons, and every challenge we face is an opportunity to adapt, grow, and refine our strategies.  

🎧 Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just need a fresh perspective on coping with a loved one's addiction, this episode will help you shift your mindset and regain control of your own well-being.

Show Notes:

If you'd like to implement what have been learning on the podcast ...

Be the first to know when the doors open to the Kind and Evidenced based program for loved ones and spouses of those struggling with addiction or in recovery - The three month Pathway to Wellness Program. Drop your details here.

I love getting mail! Send me an email here or [email protected]

Are we Instagram friends?

If you want to have a friendly chat about your situation and what the next best steps could be: Click here to find a time

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