The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast

In this episode, we revisit his quote about his mother's alcoholism, "she taught me how to survive her".

Kirkland shares about his life with addiction in numerous family members, and coming  to internalize addiction as a no fault disease.

The reality of addiction being an equal opportunity disease that has an impact on ever family member in so many different and similar ways.

Kirkland clearly articulates the variety of emotions around his mother and her not having found recovery - from anger to "intense compassion" that have happened due to his commitment to his own recovery and dedication to his well being.

If you have not read the book, I highly encourage you to do so. Filthy Beasts is available on Amazon, and at your local bookstores. In the book Kirkland Hamill offers a perspective as the son of and sibling of people battling the disease of addiction. He uses humor, intelligence, humility, honesty, and great writing. 

Find resources and the transcript of this episode on my webpage
embracefamilyrecovery.com

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I am delighted to introduce to you my friend and fellow Bermudian, Kirkland Hamill who has written his memoir 'Filthy Beasts'.

Kirkland shares his story with a real honesty that is refreshing and courageous when it comes to the secrecy surrounding the family disease of addiction.

The New York Times, Jason Sheeler wrote in this review of Filthy Beasts:
“Wake up, you filthy beasts!” Hamill’s mother hollered to her three sons on school mornings. Those were the all-too-brief good years, before divorce and alcoholism took her under; before Hamill and his brothers’ lives took on a feral quality. 

Survivor would be a word I would use to describe Kirkland however he is more than that ... entering the rooms of Al-Anon as a 19 year old on the small island of Bermuda, and working diligently on learning healthier ways to cope and thrive in his life.

Find resources and the transcript of this episode on my webpage
embracefamilyrecovery.com

Support the show

Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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Today we complete the final episode with Glory, who has a mother who has the disease of addiction, and is a Social Worker.

In this episode Glory dives in to grief and losses associated with addiction. Her faith, and how fear can trigger self reliance verses reliance on her Higher Power.

The ongoing struggle to balance doing what she believes is healthiest for herself and her mother, while navigating the pressure of the perception that others see her as not a good daughter.

Shame, and how to stop ‘shoulding’ on herself, mixed with navigating the waves of hope and fear with relapse.

Glory shares a universal family struggle when you love someone with the disease of addiction:“How do I love and let go”?

Please find resources on my website  https://embracefamilyrecovery.com/

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Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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Glory continues to share her journey around her mom's addiction.

In this episode Glory shares part of journey as a Social Worker working with clients and as a daughter trying to know when and how to help her mother.

The collateral damage and pain of addiction in the extended family is also part of the conversation - how to balance Glory's own well being, when to step in with her mom and in which ways, and how to detach from extended family's opinions when they don't align with Glory's actions.

Throughout it all Glory's love and respect for her mom is evident, second only to her love and respect for herself and her own journey.

Find resources and the transcript of this episode on my webpage
embracefamilyrecovery.com

Support the show

Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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I am thrilled to introduce Glory who is a daughter, who has actively engaged in her own self care, following her mother introducing her to counseling, at a young age.

Glory shares her insights as a child of an addict, her struggles and her victories.  In this the first of our three part conversation, Glory takes us back and offers a peek into the journey a child takes when the disease of addiction is a family member.

I believe parents this episode will be really informative for you, when thinking about how your children may have been impacted and some tools for the recovery tool kit for family recovery.

Find resources on my webpage embracefamilyrecovery.com

Support the show

Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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Welcome back to my conversation with Janet where she continues her story with having set a difficult boundary for any parent.

Her son was not to come home as it would not be good for Janet’s wellbeing. 

 Janet shares about the value of her sponsor in her recovery, and the powerful role gratitude has and continues to play in her healing and finding peace.

I honor Janet and her story and thank her for being my first guest!  I hope you feel inspired as I do whenever I listen to Janet share.

To start listening to episodes.  Go to embracefamilyrecovery.com/2

Please don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any part of the story!

 Don't hesitate to leave a review or ask a question!

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Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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The first Embrace Family Recovery Podcast guest is here! I am honored to introduce Janet who is a mama who found her recovery before her son found his!

I know, not the common way it happens – Janet is far from common! 

Not only did Janet find it, she stays in recovery for herself and the powerful biproduct has been how Janet’s recovery positively impacts every aspect of her life.

 To start listening to episodes.  Go to embracefamilyrecovery.com/1

Support the show

Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

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Join Margaret Swift Thompson a Hazelden Betty Ford counselor for over 20 years in the field of chemical dependency.

Along with her guests they will explore the stories, experiences, struggles and victories of people who loves someone with the disease of addiction.

The Embrace Family Recovery Podcast was born out of the passion Margaret feels about giving a voice to the family experience, which is rarely heard, and sadly under served.

If you love someone who is addicted, you will hear your story and ways to stop being held hostage by the disease.

To start listening to episodes. Go to embracefamilyrecovery.com/1

Please don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you don’t miss any part of the story!

Support the show

Click here to grab your copy of Healthy Strategies for Family Members to Cope and Even Thrive Through Addiction and receive my weekly newsletter.

Click the links below to follow me on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn