Our Side of Addiction

Ever wonder how influential environment actually is on addiction? Is it only genetic? Is it only environmental? We take a look at the Rat Park study findings and explore what it means for you and your loved one. Rat Park study was conducted in the late 1970s by Bruce K. Alexander and colleagues at Simon Fraser University in British Colombia, Canada.For more info and resources visit HERETo get your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow, visit HERE

Enabling is an intense and complex topic. What is it exactly and what price do you pay for engaging in enabling behaviors? In this episode, we take a look at this topic.For more information and resources, visit HEREGet your copy of my memoir, Living in My sister's Shadow, HERE

Summer is the time for fun and lots of activities. We can get caught up in our usual routines of family outings, beach trips, BBQs and summer vacations. The question is: how do we support addiction recovery while still enjoying our usual activities? We explore this topic and apply it to both active addiction and recovery because no matter where your loved one is at, you can support a healthy lifestyle. For more info and resources visit HEREGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

It's easy to get lured into the chaos of an addict, especially when you love them. Where exactly do they end and you begin? It's starts getting difficult to determine. In this episode, we explore that topic of detaching with love and how to do it without feeling like a horrible person.For more information and resources, visit HERETo get a copy of my memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow, HERE

Is addiction really a disease? In this episode we explore the concept of addiction as a disease rather than a behavior. Why people might consider it under that category and why. For more information and resources visit HERETo get a copy of my memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow, HERE

There are several treatment options for addiction recovery and there is a process to it. In this episode, we take a look at detox, rehab and outpatient options. The more informed the loved one's of addicts are, the better supported you can feel.For more information and resources visit HEREGet your copy of my memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow, HERE

As a loved one of an addict, it's easy to feel left out. This is especially true when it comes to the recovery process. What exactly is going on? What should you expect? What should you be looking for? What changes are normal? We take a look at the first 90 days of recovery and answer your questions.For more information and resources, visit HEREGet your copy of my memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow, HERE

Trauma is the root of addiction. It's easy to desire to bypass this as a loved one of an addict. However, if the root isn't addressed, the problem can never begin to heal. In this episode, we take a look at why it's important to understand, how it influences addiction, and what we can do to move through it to move forward. For more information and resources, visit HEREGet your copy of my memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Addiction and mental health disorders are common dual diagnoses. Mental health disorders can cause an addiction to develop. Addiction can also cause mental health disorders to develop. The issue is that treating one isn't going to address the other. They both need to be treated separately in order for addiction recovery to be successful. For more resources on addiction and support for the loved ones of addicts, visit HERE.

The loved ones of addicts often feel out of the loop as it pertains to an addicts recovery process. It can feel frustrating to not know what's going on, what you should be doing, or how your loved one should be behaving. In this episode, we take a look at the first 90 days of recovery. To ensure that you are more informed, more regulated, and connected to the process.For more, visit Kinly Society

Self-care? What, are you crazy or something? My loved one is practically dying and you are talking about SELF-CARE?!!Well, that's exactly how I thought when my sister was alive and in her active addiction. It feels impossible and also, wrong to practice self-care during such awful times in life. There is only so much that you are going to be able to do for someone. There is also a breaking point when ignoring your needs will cause harm. This occurs physically, mentally, and emotionally. It can also cost you your relationships, career, safety, and future. In this episode, we lean into the topic of self-care to better understand exactly why we need it, why it's helpful and how to start practicing it. For more, visit Kinly Society

Relapse is a terrifying word for the loved ones of addicts. It's one of your top nightmare scenarios. Depending on the addiction, up to 92% of addicts will relapse within the first year of sobriety. Even though it's petrifying to think about, as the loved ones of addicts, it's vital that we start having conversations around the subject. Especially since it's so prolific and considered to be part of the recovery process for most schools of thought. In this episode with will start warming up to the word RELAPSE and enhance our understanding of what it is, what leads to it, how to respond, and how to be productively supportive.For more, visit Kinly Society

Boundaries is a complicated topic. Not because it's complex but rather because it's difficult. Boundaries itself is straight forward. However, it can feel as though you are punishing or abandoning your loved one with an addiction. It can feel as though you are a bad person for even thinking about boundaries. You stay stuck in a loop for this exact reason. Boundaries are a stability and guidance that both you and your loved one need in order to survive this experience. In this episode we take a look at boundaries and how to start implementing them with love, compassion and success. For more, visit Kinly Society

Loving an addict means living in a state of chaos and dysfunction. This creates unsafe environments but it also causes the loved ones to abandon their own safety for the sake of addicts. This usually occurs gradually and from a place of self-sacrifice. You think that it is necessary to do this because your loved one is sick right now. They need you to do this for them and you are happy to do so.At least that's where it starts. Let's dive into the topic of safety and how to start reclaiming yours.For more, visit Kinly Society

Communication is challenging for the majority of us. It is especially uncomfortable when you are having to communicate with a loved one who has an addiction. Not only do they intentionally deter you from communicating but it often leads to conflict or pressure that can cause enabling behaviors. In this episode, we take a look at communication with an addict and how to start implementing it without fear or repercussions. For more, visit Kinly Society

What happens when your loved one with an addiction refuses to get help? You offer to get them into treatment but they don't actually go. Even if they initially agree, they evade it in one way or another. This is a difficult and frustrating experience. It can even border infuriating. Let's explore this topic to understand why it happens and what you can actually do in response. For more, visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Loving an addict is traumatic. It can also be dangerous. That means physically but also mentally and emotionally. As loved ones of addicts, it's important that we remember to put our safety as a priority.This episode explores the concept of stepping back for the sake of safety, common barriers that you might face, why it's common to ignore the red flags, and how to do it successfully. For more visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Alan Marlatt was a clinical psychologist who pioneered relapse prevention and gave us a cognitive behavioral model that differentiates a lapse from a relapse. The difference determines how quickly someone will or will not return to sobriety. Learning about this model helps the loved ones of addicts understand how relapse occurs and how responses determine the length of time spent in active use.Altering how loved ones respond plays a huge role in this model and empowers loved ones to enhance their knowledge on healthy and productive reactions.For more, visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Codependency is prolific when it comes to addiction. The majority of addicts participate in these types of relationship dynamics. Which happen to be highly dysfunctional and dangerous. If there is any change for your loved one to get sober, they HAVE to release codependency. Let's take a look at what it is and what it isn't.For more visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Guilt, shame and anger are commonly experienced by the loved ones of addicts. We can often feel like these emotions aren't allowed because someone else is going through a difficult time. We can also feel guilty for feeling angry which compounds everything and makes it worse. So, what are you supposed to do? Ignore it? Stuff it down? Stay in a guilt loop?Let’s get into it to not only normalize your emotions but to validate what you are going through.For more info and resources visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's Memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

We dive into what the loved ones of addicts commonly experience. It's tumultuous, distressing, frustrating, and maddening. Let's acknowledge your hardships and the emotions that go alongside this difficult time. The world seems to blow past you are your side of loving an addict. That ends now.For more info and resources visit Kinly SocietyGet your copy of Amanda's memoir, Living in My Sister's Shadow HERE

Welcome to Our Side of Addiction! In this episode you will hear all about why I am here and why this podcast is for you if you have a loved one with an addiction. We set the tone for the coming episodes after a little introduction. Glad you're here. Can't wait to build our community together.