Addiction. 

This word can bring up intense emotions and reactions, depending on your lived experiences. Many people have struggled with their own addiction or have loved and supported someone who struggles with addiction, often creating pain, fear, frustration, confusion, and relational damage. 

Have you ever wondered why some people struggle with addiction and others do not? Have you considered what makes it so difficult for people who are addicted to start the recovery process, and stay on that path? Do you have someone in your life, maybe even you, who is struggling with addiction, leading you to feel totally lost about next steps and ways to help or overcome it? Let us help support you through the start of this journey, breaking down why addiction can happen and some first steps on the road to recovery. 

Join us as we unpack the complex dynamics of addictions, offer some understanding of why an addiction may be present, how to balance supporting the addict with our own psychological needs, and best next steps for the road to recovery. Both the person who is addicted, as well as their loved ones deserve support from the start!   

If you find this episode, or any of our other episodes, helpful to you, please share with those that you love! Let us know what you think about what you want us to talk about next by emailing us at [email protected]! 

Next Tuesday, we deep dive into depression, including possible reasons for depression and tools to improve it. Later topics include: battling personal insecurities, self-acceptance, validation, grief/loss, compassion in couples, identifying needs vs. wants, boundaries, managing family relationships, and so much more!

Some resources from this episode:
1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline
2. SMART recovery
3. Alcoholics Anonymous
4. Narcotics Anonymous
5. Recovering Couples Anonymous
5. Substance Abuse in Intimate Relationships