Today, I am joined by my best friends of over thirty years, Keri, Scott “Gumpy” and Barbara. They are not in recovery - which is actually why I wanted them on the show and what hopefully makes this conversation meaningful and different for you guys, too. I wanted to hear from the people who loved me through addiction without ever experiencing it themselves, and to explore what it is like on the other side of an addict friendship.
Together, they reflect on watching a childhood friend slowly self destruct. The confusion, fear, frustration, and helplessness. The moments they tried to step in, the times they did not know how, and the emotional toll of caring deeply without having control. Their honesty offers a compassionate and often overlooked perspective for anyone who has loved someone struggling with substance use.
The conversation is not all heavy, though!. Woven throughout are the shared memories that come from growing up together. Field parties, driving around in a fake cop car, and me calling Barbara as an adult to talk to my mom for me. The kind of stories only lifelong friends can tell.
This episode is for friends, family members, and loved ones who have walked alongside addiction. Those who stayed close, those who pulled away, and those still trying to understand it all. Thoughtful, warm, and deeply human.
If you or a loved one are navigating substance use or mental health concerns, please check out our sponsor Worthy Wellness Center, a luxury mental health and SUD treatment center in San Diego, CA.
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See you next week!