Family Sobriety Now

Episode 013 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Joseph Devlin explores how families can support a loved one during outpatient treatment without losing sight of accountability. He explains how tools such as random drug testing, clear boundaries, and agreed-upon spot checks can reduce emotionally charged confrontations, uncover setbacks sooner, and help everyone stay focused on long-term recovery.

Drawing on professional and personal experience, Joseph discusses why trust takes time to rebuild and why accountability is not the same as accusation. He also highlights the value of involving a counselor, creating consistent family expectations, and recognizing small commitments—whether completing a weekly chore or checking in regularly—as meaningful steps toward restoring trust. Listeners are encouraged to identify one practical action they can take with their loved one to strengthen connection and support lasting sobriety.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Learn more about our sponsor, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/

Episode 012 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Joseph Devlin explains how family involvement can strengthen a loved one’s recovery. He discusses the value of regular family sessions, written and measurable 30-, 60-, and 90-day goals, clear communication, and realistic expectations. Through powerful real-life examples—from rekindling a passion for art to rebuilding trust through weekly family dinners—Joseph shows how small, consistent commitments can restore relationships and create lasting change. He also explores the importance of expanding a loved one’s support network through counselors, sponsors, mentors, community, prayer, and meditation.

Listeners are encouraged to advocate for meaningful family participation in treatment and to reach out to someone who brings spiritual clarity and encouragement into their own life. Because sobriety is a family affair.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Learn more about our sponsor, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/

Episode 011 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Joseph Devlin focuses on what happens when a loved one steps down into general outpatient treatment and why one hour of counseling each week is rarely enough on its own.

Joseph explores the importance of building a fuller support system through treatment groups, 12-step meetings, school or college counseling resources, and family sessions. He emphasizes that families can play a meaningful role by noticing patterns, encouraging realistic goals, and helping loved ones identify strengths, interests, and next steps they may not yet see for themselves.

A major theme of the episode is goal setting. Creating realistic, attainable goals in collaboration with a counselor and support network, instead of trying to do too much too quickly, tends to keep those in recovery on the right path. Joseph shares examples from his professional and personal experience to show how overwhelming recovery routines can lead to burnout, while steady support and manageable daily commitments can help sustain sobriety.

Listeners are encouraged to write down goals for their loved one, their family, and themselves. Bring those goals into treatment conversations as a way to deepen connection and support long-term recovery because, as Joseph reminds us, sobriety is a family affair.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Learn more about our sponsor, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/

Episode 010 of Family Sobriety Now

Family Voices

In this powerful episode, Joseph Devlin welcomes Jen as a guest. She shares her experience of loving someone through addiction while learning how to reclaim her own life, peace, and identity. What began as a relationship marked by red flags, broken trust, and years of trying to “fix” someone else became a journey of self-discovery, boundaries, family healing, and hope.

Jen opens up about the impact addiction had on her marriage, parenting, and sense of control—and how Al-Anon, counseling, community, and honest amends helped her begin to heal. She reflects on the moment she stopped letting addiction run her life, the importance of setting clear boundaries, and the ongoing work of rebuilding trust with her husband and children.

This conversation is a moving reminder that addiction is a family disease, but recovery can also become a family legacy. Jen’s story offers encouragement for anyone who feels overwhelmed, isolated, or unsure of how to move forward: there is hope, healing is possible, and life does not have to stay so hard.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Learn more about our sponsor, the National Police Federal Credit Union at https://www.nationalpolicefcu.com/

Episode 009 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Joseph Devlin shares a vital reminder for families supporting a loved one in recovery: you can’t offer steady support unless you’re standing on solid ground yourself.

Whether support comes through Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, faith communities, community centers, fitness groups, book clubs, or trusted friends, the message is clear: community matters.

Recovery affects the entire family — not just the person in treatment. When families care for themselves intentionally and build strong support networks, they become a steadier source of love, clarity, and strength.

If your family is walking through the challenges of addiction and recovery, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Episode 008 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Drawing on Abraham Maslow’s reminder that growth often requires stepping beyond safety, this conversation focuses on the importance of becoming mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually well so you can offer meaningful support from a healthier place.

Joseph Devlin guides listeners through a practical self-care exercise designed to identify trusted people, build healthy weekly habits, strengthen spiritual life, and invite accountability from others. The episode also highlights the value of community support, including 12-step family groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon, as well as churches, temples, community centers, book clubs, yoga, karate, cooking groups, and other life-giving communities.

Through stories and practical encouragement, this episode reminds listeners that recovery affects the whole family—and that no one has to walk through it alone. By building a strong support network, you can find steadiness in chaotic moments, care for yourself with intention, and become a more grounded source of love and support for your loved one.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Episode 007 of Family Sobriety Now

Family Voices

In this heartfelt episode, host Joseph Devlin sits down with Paul and Maureen to talk about their family’s long journey through their son’s addiction, recovery attempts, relapses, and the difficult decisions that helped them find peace along the way. They share what it was like to recognize the warning signs, move through denial, set boundaries, seek support, and learn that loving someone with addiction does not mean rescuing them from every consequence.

Paul and Maureen speak honestly about the toll addiction takes on an entire family, including siblings, parents, friendships, routines, and emotional well-being. They also discuss the importance of communication, faith, outside counseling, support groups, sober living, and accepting that hope may look different than parents once imagined.

For families walking through addiction with someone they love, this conversation offers reassurance that they are not alone. It is a candid reminder that boundaries can be an act of love, support is essential, and recovery is often a process filled with setbacks, growth, acceptance, and renewed hope.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Episode 006 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

In this episode, host Joseph Devlin walks families through the intake and assessment process for addiction treatment. He explains how to contact insurance, understand in-network and out-of-network benefits, connect with treatment facilities, prepare for an assessment, and advocate for the appropriate level of care for a loved one.

Joseph also emphasizes the importance of acting quickly once treatment is approved: arriving early, staying present through the assessment, transporting a loved one directly to the facility, and maintaining momentum during a critical window of change. This conversation offers practical guidance, encouragement, and reminders for families navigating one of the most emotional and important steps in the recovery journey.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Episode 005 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Joseph Devlin borrows tips from A Step Out of Darkness and breaks down the different levels of addiction treatment, from detox and inpatient care to partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, general outpatient support, sober living, and long-term recovery options.

Joseph reminds families that treatment is not a quick fix or a one-size-fits-all solution, but a continuing process that often requires follow-up care, accountability, family involvement, and a strong recovery community. Through practical guidance and a personal story from his work in treatment, he offers hope that recovery is possible—even when the road has been long—and encourages families to stay engaged, informed, and ready to support their loved one’s next step.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/

Episode 004 of Family Sobriety Now

A Step Out of Darkness

Host Joseph Devlin digs into Chapter 3 from his book, A Step Out of Darkness, and explores the role of intervention in helping a loved one enter treatment. He emphasizes that interventions are not about turning your back on someone, but about using the power of loving relationships, encouragement, and accountability to help them take the next step toward recovery.

Joseph explains why involving a trained interventionist can help families prepare, communicate from a place of healing rather than hurt, and create a supportive path forward. He also reminds listeners that recovery is not one-size-fits-all.

Learn more about your host - Joseph Devlin  MA, CAADC, MAC – and his book, A Step Out of Darkness, at https://josephbdevlin.org/my-book/