What do you do when your worst fear comes true… and no one even knows the truth?

In this episode of The Roller Coaster Podcast, I sit down with Adriana Sansam, a mother whose life changed forever when her husband died alone in a hotel room from an accidental overdose. One moment he was on a work trip. The next, she was racing for answers, convinced something was wrong before anyone confirmed it.

Adriana opens up about loving a recovering addict, hiding his addiction from everyone, and the devastating phone call that left her raising three young children alone. But this isn’t just a story about addiction and grief. It’s about breaking the stigma, telling the truth, and turning shame into purpose.

If you’ve been touched by addiction, mental health struggles, loss, or single parenting, this conversation will stay with you.

Listen now. Share this with someone who needs it. And subscribe for more stories that change lives.

Key Moments:

0:00 “I Knew Something Was Wrong”

3:12 Married to a Recovering Addict

6:05 The Phone Call That Confirmed My Fear

9:02 “He’s Dead”, Hearing the Words

12:10 Who He Was Beyond the Addiction

15:08 Understanding the Mind of an Addict

18:04 Explaining His Death to Our 5-Year-Old

21:06 When Shame Turned Into Silence

24:18 The Message That Changed Everything

27:30 Why I Finally Told the Truth

30:12 Did He Have a Reason to Keep Going?

33:40 When the Past Blocks the Future

36:10 “I Don’t Need More, I Need You”

39:05 Speaking to Him After His Death

42:18 A Message to Fathers Battling Addiction

45:30 Watching My Son Look for His Dad

Guest Info:

IG: adrianasansam (https://www.instagram.com/adrianasansam/)