Addiction. Don't you dare turn this podcast off. That's why I threw that word out first, because nobody likes that word. I rarely find anybody on the fence or in a gray area when it comes to addiction. For some people, it's affecting them and killing them. They want to learn all they can about it . Other people aren’t affected. It’s not their problem, so let other people worry about it. People are either on one side or the other.

I've been in the people business long enough to know that this word has made its way in some form or another to everyone's front door. Someone you know is affected by addiction. Sometimes it's not in the form we think. It's not drugs or alcohol. It could be in the form of gambling, porn, shopping, food, nicotine, or something else. 

Today's episode is a tough one. We're going to talk to Janelle Martin, a mother who woke up to a world of addiction. A world she knew nothing about until it affected her daughter Regan Steinert. Janelle is a mom of two kids age 20 and 18. She is in recovery because addiction affected her family. She loves and trusts Jesus completely, and has been blessed with the most amazing friends who were there for her during difficult times.

Regan joins us later in the show. She is a stunningly beautiful and well-spoken woman who has faced addiction, sobriety, relapse, and pain in her very short life. She is living proof that addiction can affect anyone. Anyone can be a target. Maybe even someone in your home. Regan is 18 and in recovery. She’s a good person who loves helping people. She is artsy and creative and loves to paint, especially as a form of relaxation.

Show Notes:

• [05:06] Janelle and her family live in Houston. They've lived in the same home for 15 years, and her kids grew up there. 
• [08:21] Janelle didn't know how bad things were until someone told her. She knew something was off, but she didn't know what. 
• [10:17] It felt like a dark cloud was following Regan. She stopped playing sports. Janelle suspected stuff, but could never catch her doing anything. 
• [13:29] Janelle caught Regan lying about where she was spending the night. Janelle told Regan she can't live at home if she is doing drugs, and Regan said she wasn't stopping. 
• [16:00] Janelle sent Regan to stay with her dad.
• [17:45] It took weeks for Janelle to recover from the fact that Regan was gone.
• [18:12] Regan spent three months at her dad's.
• [22:12] After a frantic call from Regan's dad, Regan ended up in a treatment center in Arizona. 
• [24:40] Regan didn't want to go, because she didn't want to be sober. She decided to just stay there for 45 days. She also stayed in the program for around two years.
• [27:21] She was finally happy, I didn't want to mess that up.
• [28:07] After 11 months, Regan moved back to Texas. Her friends were going to Galveston and partying, so Regan thought she could do it to. 
• [32:03] Regan thought she could vape THC, and everything would be fine, but it wasn't. So she talked to her mom about it, and decided to leave.
• [33:15] Regan was gone for three weeks. A lot of mother's can't do that tough love that Janelle did. Regan was out on the street with her dog.
• [36:13] Regan learned a lot of really cool stuff during her first time in recovery, but it just didn't click all the way.
• [36:53] She decided she wanted to be sober and called her mom. Janelle said to come home. She just got her four months three days ago.
• [37:28] Everything has finally clicked. She goes to meetings. She has a sponsor. Everything's working out great.
• [38:14] She finally graduated and is starting me to school.
• [38:42] Regan is genuinely happy now.
• [43:03] Regan thinks that she started using because of some family issues with her brother and father. She also went through a breakup. 
• [45:09] Regan is going to do amazing things with her life, and she stands on her own feet.
• [48:52] Regan loves enchiladas with rice & beans at Rancho Grande. Janelle likes the firecracker roll at Red Fish Grill.
• [49:54] Janelle and Regan share what friendship means to them.
• [52:21] The ladies dish actresses. 

Thanks for joining us on Ordinary People Ordinary Things. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Just like your mother taught you.

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Web Page
• Facebook Page
• @MsMelissaRadke on Instagram
• @msmelissaradke on Twitter
• Autographed Copy of Eat Cake. Be Brave.
• Eat Cake. Be Brave. Extended Book Trailer
• Sign Up for Insider Access
• INK Replacing What Stained You With What Can Change You
• Home Chef Use code MelissaR80 to get $80 off your first four meals
• Janelle Martin on Instagram
• Janelle Martin on Facebook
• Regan Steinert on Instagram