102. Loving and Losing A Child with Addiction Issues with Barbara Legere

Hey there! Welcome to another episode of Warriors Unmasked. Today we're excited to sit down with Barbara Legere, a mother, author, Tip volunteer, and advocate who has faced some of life's toughest challenges head-on. Barbara's journey began when she became a single mother at the age of 30. Through this experience, she learned what it truly meant to love unconditionally. However, her life took a difficult turn when she noticed her son struggling with depression in the third grade. As he got older, he became an addict and eventually went to prison. Unfortunately, her son ultimately lost the battle he was fighting. Despite these tragic circumstances, Barbara has used her experience to help others going through similar situations. Her book, Keven's Choice, A Mothers Journey Through Her Son's Mental Illness, Addiction and Suicide, has been widely read and is an inspiration to many. Additionally, she is a co-author of the bestselling book The Epiphanies Project. Barbara has become a strong advocate for those suffering from substance use disorders, mental health issues, and grief. She has been featured in popular publications such as Prevention Magazine, Salon, and The Huffington Post. Currently, Barbara resides in Southern California with her sister, a cat, a tortoise, and three dogs. Her inspiring story is sure to evoke a range of emotions, from compassion and empathy to heartbreak and sadness. However, her unwavering dedication to helping others will ultimately leave you feeling hopeful, aware, and encouraged. We're excited to have Barbara join us today, so sit back and enjoy another amazing episode of Warriors Unmasked as we delve into her incredible journey.   GUEST LINKS:   Website: Heroin Fentynal | Loving And Learning Through Loss Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/Kevens-Choice-Mothers-Journey-Addiction-ebook/dp/B09WL1QP6G/ref=zg_bsnr_156546011_1/143-9873159-2727761?pd_rd_i=B09WL1QP6G&psc=1&pldnSite=1 Facebook: Barbara Legere Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbaralegere925/ Liked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbaralegere/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@barbaralegere925?lang=en   LINKS:   malarchuk.com/book  malarchuk.com  www.thecompassionateconnection.com www.warriorsunmasked.com  Follow us on Instagram Like us on Facebook Subscribe To Our YouTube My Community Contact   Episode Minute By Minute: 3:14 Welcome author, mother, volunteer and activist Barbara Legere 5:15 The story of Barbara and Kevin 11:07 How honest and open was Kevin about his addiction? 15:38 Here's what rehab looked like for Kevin 17:24 Prison itself was not enough to separate him from the addiction 31:00 What the moment when Kevin passed away was like 34:04 What Barbara has taken this situation and turned it into 41:13 How to get involved with TIP yourself and let's make mental health a mainstream issue 48:58 A heartfelt message form Barbara to anyone who is struggling with addiction or a loved one's addiction