Loving someone with an addiction can feel like living in a never-ending rinse and repeat cycle—exhausted, stuck, and unsure what to do next. In this episode, we dig into the hidden “realities” that keep families trapped: parenting guilt, cultural expectations, enabling patterns, and the constant fear of what might happen if you set boundaries. We explore how addiction and anxiety feed off each other, why families often feel damned if they do and damned if they don’t, and how misplaced guilt only deepens the exhaustion.

You’ll hear real examples of how cultural norms, family dynamics, and mental health beliefs shape the way we respond—and why those responses often keep us in survival mode instead of moving toward peace. Most importantly, we share what it looks like to finally step off the hamster wheel, shift out of reactivity, and reclaim your energy.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still end up drained and defeated, this conversation will help you recognize your reality, rethink your approach, and discover practical tools to feel less exhausted and more empowered.

Beyond Boundaries: Self-Paced Online Course Learn how to set healthy boundaries that protect your well-being and support your loved one’s recovery. https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/beyond-boundaries-1

Advanced Skills Membership Access live coaching calls, advanced training, and a supportive community to help you navigate addiction recovery. https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/hff-membership

Free Downloadable Resources

Get tools and guides to help you manage addiction challenges in your family. https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources

Make an Appointment with a Specialist Get personalized guidance from one of our addiction recovery experts. https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/consultations

Why You Keep Drinking (And How to Finally Stop the Cycle)
Why do you do fine for a bit…then the wheels fall off? This episode breaks down the relapse loop—the trigger, the promise, the rationalization—and shows you how your brain quietly justifies “just one.” You’ll learn practical, science-backed strategies to interrupt cravings, outsmart self-talk, and build a repeatable plan so “doing better” isn’t a phase—it’s your new default.

What you’ll learn

The 3-step relapse pattern (trigger → vow → rationalization) and where to break it

Why this isn’t about willpower (hello, brain shortcuts + reward circuitry)

Micro-moves that snap you out of a craving in 90 seconds

A simple Relapse Interrupt Plan you can use anytime, anywhere

How to turn slip-ups into data, not drama

Chapters

00:00 Hook: “Why do I keep doing this?”

01:30 The relapse loop you don’t see forming

06:15 Cognitive traps: “I deserve it,” “Just one,” “I’ve been good”

12:20 Craving toolkit: urge surfing, pattern breaks, 2-call rule

18:40 Build your Relapse Interrupt Plan (RIP)

24:00 From streaks to systems: making progress stick

28:30 Next steps + resources

Key takeaways

You don’t have a willpower problem; you have a pattern problem.

Plan beats mood. Put the steps in writing and rehearse them once a day.

A slip is information. Use it to strengthen your plan, not shame yourself.

Resources mentioned

Soberlink: https://www.soberlink.com/amber

FREE Cheatsheet (Disputing Irrational Beliefs): https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/manifesting-recovery

30-Day Jump Start (Early Recovery): https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/30-day-jump-start

Strength-Based Recovery Coaching: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/invisible-intervention

Rapid Relationship Repair Course: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/rapid-relationship-repair

24/7 Counseling (10% Off): https://www.betterhelp.com/PutTheShovelDown

Streaming tool: StreamYard ($10 off): https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4991328482492416

Your brain is a master of tricks—and sometimes its biggest game is keeping you stuck in the very habits you want to break. In this episode, we dive into the sneaky ways your mind works against you, using rationalization, minimization, and self-deception to make bad choices feel “not that bad.”

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll quit tomorrow” or “It’s not really a problem,” you’ll learn why those thought patterns are so powerful, how they develop, and—most importantly—how to outsmart them. By shining a light on these mental traps, you’ll gain the tools to stop justifying unhealthy cycles and start making choices that align with the life you actually want.

This episode is your guide to breaking free from self-justification and taking back control of your decisions.

Resources Mentioned

💜 Recovery Coaching With Amber

💜 Free Addiction Recovery Resources

💜 Advanced Skills Membership for Families

💜 Family Recovery Academy Website

Do you struggle with recognizing when you need boundaries—or feel like you just can’t hold onto them once you set them? You’re not alone.

In this episode, we’re digging into:

Why boundaries can feel so confusing and difficult

The hidden reasons you may resist setting them (even when you know you need to)

What’s really happening when you cave, bend, or abandon your boundaries

The mindset shift that can help you finally start protecting your peace

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why do I keep letting this happen?” or “Why can’t I stick to my boundaries?”—this conversation is for you.

💡 Ready to go deeper? Check out my Beyond Boundaries course, designed to help you learn how to set healthy boundaries and actually keep them:
👉🏻 Beyond Boundaries 

✨ Additional Resources:

Enroll Here: Learn Why Boundaries Are So Hard 

Beyond Boundaries Course 

Special Offer Access

Why Most Recovery Plans Fail (and How to Build One That Lasts)

Why do so many recovery plans fall apart? In this episode, I’m breaking down the key ingredients to creating a recovery plan that actually works—and sticks. Whether you’re in recovery yourself or supporting a loved one, this is the truth about what it takes to achieve lasting success.

We’ll cover the most common mistakes people make, the mindset shifts that change everything, and the practical steps you can take to build a recovery strategy that’s sustainable for the long haul.

If recovery has ever felt like an uphill battle—or if you’re tired of plans that don’t deliver—this episode is for you.

💡 Ready to take the next step? Check out Amber AI, the revolutionary tool designed to help individuals and families navigate recovery with clarity, confidence, and compassion: 👉🏻 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/24-7-coaching-with-amber-ai

Additional Resources:

✅ Free Downloadable Resources: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources

✅ Family Recovery Support Group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/familyrecoverysupport

✅ Make an Appointment with a Specialist: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/make-an-appointment

✅ Learn More About the Invisible Intervention: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/invisible-intervention

✅ Get Advice Anytime with Amber AI: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/24-7-coaching-with-amber-ai

Have you ever been called too emotional, clingy, or even codependent because of the way you responded to a loved one’s addiction or betrayal? Here’s the truth: emotional reactivity in those situations isn’t codependency—it’s a trauma response.

In this episode, we dive into the critical difference between codependency and PTSD caused by betrayal trauma. When you’re living with someone struggling with addiction, it’s not uncommon to experience broken trust, lies, and emotional chaos. The rollercoaster you’re on isn’t because you’re overly attached—it’s because you’ve been hurt by someone you trusted.

You’ll learn:

What betrayal trauma actually is

Why trauma responses are often misunderstood (and mislabeled as codependency)

How living with addiction impacts your nervous system and emotional responses

First steps you can take to begin healing and reclaiming your peace

If you’ve ever felt dismissed or judged for your emotions, this conversation will help you reframe your experience and remind you that your pain is valid.

✨ Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Soberlink Alcohol Monitoring System
https://www.soberlink.com/amber 

Betrayal Trauma Healing Program (Dr. Debi Silbers)
https://mypbtinstitute.com/~access/a14c2436f/ 

Free Downloadable Resources
https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources 

Family Recovery Support Group (Facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/familyrecoverysupport 

Schedule an Appointment
https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/make-an-appointment 

Learn About the Invisible Intervention
https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/invisible-intervention 

Get Advice Anytime with Amber AI
https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/24-7-coaching-with-amber-ai

The Secret Life of High-Functioning Addiction

On the surface, high-functioning alcoholics and addicts seem to have it all together—successful careers, stable families, and a polished exterior.
But behind closed doors, there’s often a hidden world of planning, hiding, and emotional turmoil that most people never see.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the secret life of high-functioning addiction. You’ll learn:

The subtle signs that are often missed

The internal battles they fight daily

The steps toward lasting recovery

Whether you’re living this reality yourself or you love someone who is, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools you need to move forward.

Visit Our Website: familyrecoveryacademy.online

FREE Downloadable Resources: Click here

Advanced Skills Membership for Families: Learn more

Amber's Free 30-Day Jump Start Series: Start today

Amber AI - Your On-Demand Recovery Coach: Try it here

Schedule a Consultation: Book now

Strength-Based Recovery Coaching with Amber: Explore here

Learn About the Invisible Intervention: Discover more

Recommended Reads: View on Amazon

Why Your Efforts Aren’t Working—And What To Do Instead

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you're just not getting through to your addicted loved one? In this episode, Kim and Campbell from the Family Recovery Academy break down why your current approach might not be working—and what to do about it.

You’ll learn:

The psychology behind ineffective engagement

When to lean in and when to step back

How to shift your strategy to reduce stress and improve outcomes—for you and your loved one

Whether you're just starting your journey or you've been at this for years, this episode gives you clear, actionable tools to move forward with confidence and compassion.

👥 Work with Kim and Campbell:

⭐ Kim’s Page

⭐ Campbell’s Page

✅ Join Their Advanced Recovery Group

Empty Apologies: How to Know If They Really Mean It

Sick of hearing “I’m sorry” on repeat with no real change? You’re not alone. In this live session, Amber breaks down the frustrating cycle of empty apologies, what they look like, why they keep happening, and how to distinguish between true remorse and just another excuse.

You’ll learn:

Key signs someone is actually ready to change

How to set boundaries that stick

Why accountability matters more than words

Whether you're dealing with an addicted loved one, a partner, or anyone who keeps breaking your trust, this episode gives you the tools to stop the cycle and start protecting your peace.

Additional Resources

💡 For People Overcoming Addiction:
✅ 30-Day Jump Start
✅ Strengths-Based Recovery Coaching
✅ Rapid Relationship Repair
✅ 24/7 Coaching with Amber AI

For Families Supporting a Loved One:
💜 Expert Consultations
💜 Family Recovery Group with Kim & Campbell
💜 24/7 Coaching with Amber AI

When You’re the Only One Who Sees the Problem

Feeling like the only one in your family who sees the addiction issue clearly? You’re not alone. In this powerful live session, Campbell and Kim dive into one of the hardest parts of supporting a loved one in recovery: dealing with denial and family members who enable—or even sabotage—your efforts.

They break down:

Why denial happens in families

How to recognize and address enabling behaviors

Smart strategies to get everyone on the same page

This episode is packed with practical tools to help you stay grounded, preserve relationships, and keep moving forward—even when it feels like you're doing it alone.

🎧 Don’t miss this one if you’re feeling frustrated, stuck, or isolated in your recovery support journey.

Additional Resources:
⭐ Join Kim & Campbell’s Recovery Group
⭐ Kim’s Page
⭐ Campbell’s Page