This week on the Big Sister Hotline, Clem unpacks the painful tension between love and self-protection when someone you care for is trapped in addiction. Our listener writes about her ex-partner’s struggle with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, and the guilt of stepping back. Clem explores how compassion and boundaries can coexist, and why saving yourself is sometimes the truest form of love.

Content Warning: This episode includes conversations about alcohol addiction. If you or anyone you know is struggling, you can reach out to the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free, confidential support.

If you would like to submit a question for a future episode, please email [email protected]

Follow Clem on Instagram & Facebook

Subscribe to her Dear Clementine Substack

Join her Patreon

This podcast is part of the Kind Regards Network. Follow @kindregardsnetwork to stay in the loop, meet your next audio obsession, and more.

Interested in collaborating? Drop us a line at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/clementineford-bigsisterhotline.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.