Over 20 years ago I walked into a bookstore wearing a ratty old sweatshirt. I sat on the floor in the self-help section and began pouring over dozens of books. I was looking for a story of a woman who loved someone suffering from addiction. I wanted a book of hope, an instruction manual on what to do to save my family from this disease.  I found lots of books with brave tales of men and women who got sober. But nothing for the ones who love them. I was desperately alone without anyone I...

Whether your loved one suffers from addiction or not, having trust in your relationship is essential. Right? Because without it, you'll most likely start to feel frustrated or even stuck. But if you entered this relationship with any trust issues from your past, it's important to make your healing a priority. And you're not going to be able to do that if you're looking to your partner to help you feel better. So, how do you start to build back trust? Is it even possible? Tune in to this...

When your loved one who struggles with addiction has been in and out of rehab for 22 years, at what point do you say, 'enough is enough?' Because honestly, are they really EVER going to get healthy (especially when they can't be honest about their addiction)? That's something a strong woman in our community shared recently and what her 'line in the sand' was for leaving her marriage. Take some time to listen to this new podcast episode and how the work she's done on her healing (including...

When you think about the relationship with your partner who struggles with addiction, have there been times you've questioned yourself about why you've stayed so long? And if so, what keeps pulling you back in even though it's not a healthy situation? This is something a brave woman in our community shared with me recently that many people will most likely be able to relate to. Tune in for this new podcast interview to hear how trauma bonds kept this woman from leaving an unhealthy...

When you think of someone struggling with alcoholism (or any addiction), you probably feel that they must drink every day, right? But as you'll hear in this new podcast interview, that's not necessarily always the case. Tune in for this brave woman's story of how her Aboriginal roots and learned childhood behaviors impacted her life later on (particularly with relationships), as well as why someone who doesn't drink every day can still be an alcoholic. Find more here:  ...

Loving someone with addiction can sometimes make you feel like you're spinning out of control, can't it? One moment you're feeling joy and hope, only to have it turn to fear and anger pretty quickly. And listen, you’re not alone. We've been there and completely understand. But the good news is that you can make it feel less and less like a roller coaster ride when dealing with your loved one. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how to stop spiraling, as well as to make sure you're moving...

Has your loved one flat out refused to stop drinking (or whatever their substance of choice is) no matter how many times you've begged and pleaded? And what if their addiction is affecting your young children? That's something a strong woman in our community spoke about recently (and how she tried to compromise with her husband multiple times). Tune in for this new podcast episode to hear how she finally decided to move forward and is protecting her children, as well as reconnecting with...

If you've moved on from your relationship with someone who struggles with addiction (or have been thinking about it), have you wondered what 'life after leaving' looks like? Or what would dating again be like? That might seem a little scary, right? I recently spoke with a woman in our community who was very brave and open about what this has been like for her. Tune in for this new podcast episode to hear a great conversation about starting over, what dating again looks like, and how there...

If you've been tuning in for the last several episodes, you've heard me covering some clues that you may be ready to consider leaving your relationship with your loved one who struggles with addiction. And this week, I'm finishing up with the final two reasons.  As always, there's never any judgment on whether you decide to stay or leave. That's completely up to you (and you always reserve the right to change your mind at any time).  But please take some time to listen to this episode...

If you've gone back and forth on possibly leaving your loved one who struggles with addiction, what's holding you back from doing so? If one of the reasons is that you're afraid they might get better after you leave, just know you're not alone. But I want to share some loving truths with you, okay? Tune in to this week's new episode to hear several more clues that you may be ready to leave your relationship (even if you're still unsure right now). Find more here:  ...

Has the thought ever crossed your mind about whether you should stay or leave your relationship?  And maybe just the thought of leaving your loved one who struggles with addiction makes you anxious or scared (which is understandable). But just hear me out, okay? Tune in to this week's new episode, where I dive into three clues that it may be time to consider leaving. And if you decide that leaving isn't the right decision for you, that's absolutely okay, too. Find more here:  ...

Have you ever felt like you're on a rollercoaster ride because of your loved one's addiction? Lots of ups and downs and uncertainty of what's ahead. So why do we stay on that ride (or keep coming back)? Tune in to this new podcast episode to hear a woman explain how her ex-husband used their child to manipulate her and how she found herself in a financially abusive marriage. But despite everything she's been through, she's now healthier and happier than ever, thanks to the work she's done...

Have you ever wondered whether your loved one's drinking is really 'that bad?' When you love someone who is a high-functioning alcoholic, it can be easy to start doubting yourself and your feelings. I spoke with a brave woman in our community recently who opened up about going through this.  Tune in to this new podcast episode where she shares about her high-functioning alcoholic husband, as well as dealing with family members who are unsupportive of the decisions she's making for her...

For many of us, codependency is something we've dealt with for a long time. But have you ever wondered how you came to be that way? Or how to break the cycle of codependency, particularly with your loved one who struggles with addiction? This is something I discussed recently with a strong woman in our community. Tune in for this new podcast interview to hear how she's made her boundaries work for her and how she's committed to breaking the cycle of codependency for her daughters. Find...

You've probably heard the expression, “Let go and let God.” That it's somehow OK to lose control of what you want or believe. But I disagree with this saying when you love someone suffering from addiction (or even with unhealthy relationships with friends or family).  In our community, we believe that it's 100% OK to take control of your own life and feelings. You're a grown, wonderful, smart adult who knows what's best for YOU. Click to hear this week's episode about how taking control of...

As a codependent, setting (and sticking to) boundaries can be challenging. They're tricky and take lots of practice. But they're also so important to have when you love someone suffering from addiction. Tune in to this week's episode, where I discuss a favorite book of mine about setting and sticking to boundaries. And even if you're not codependent, this will still be super helpful. This episode originally aired in October 2020. https://loveoveraddiction.com/boundaries-for-codependents/

Have you experienced red flags with your loved one that almost caused you to make a huge decision to either stay or leave? That's exactly what happened to a woman I spoke with recently. Not only did she almost call off her wedding, but she shares what her 'rock bottom' was, as well as some vulnerable moments. Tune in to hear how this woman is coming out stronger than ever because of the work she's doing on her own healing. https://loveoveraddiction.com/almost-called-off-wedding/

Maybe you love the holidays. Or perhaps you're like a woman in our community I spoke to recently who has said, "I hate the holidays." If that's something you've said before, you're not alone (and it definitely doesn't make you a 'Scrooge'). Tune in for this new episode to hear this courageous woman discuss several fears she has about the possibility of leaving her marriage, as well as some lessons she's learned while loving her alcoholic...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, the holidays can be hard, right? Most likely, this is the time where their alcohol (or chosen substance) consumption might increase, especially with all of the holiday get-togethers going on. Tune in as we hear a strong woman in our community share how she plans to experience joy this holiday (as well as the effect the pandemic has had on both our loved ones and us). https://loveoveraddiction.com/interview-happy-holiday/

How do you know if you should stay or leave your relationship when you love someone struggling with addiction? I had the pleasure of speaking with a brave woman in our community who shared what she's learned while working on her own healing and her reasoning for staying or leaving her marriage. Tune in to this week's episode to hear how she built up her confidence and independence and how she grappled with what the church says about divorce. https://loveoveraddiction.com/interview-stay-or-go/

If you're with someone struggling with addiction, have you ever wondered what it could look like to stay in your relationship with them? Michelle recently spoke to a very wise woman in our community who has done so much work on her own healing and has decided to stay in her marriage. Tune in to hear this new podcast interview and how she arrived at the point of saying, 'I'm here to stay.' Find more here:  https://loveoveraddiction.com/here-to-stay/

What happens when a loved one has been hiding their addiction from you? It can be devastating when you find evidence such as empty bottles stashed in a hiding place, right? That's exactly what happened to a woman in our community. Tune in to this podcast interview where she shares her story with Michelle, how she went six years of marriage without realizing she married an alcoholic, and how she’s built herself back stronger than...

When you have someone in your life who is struggling with addiction, you feel a wide range of emotions: hurt, anger, sadness, and sometimes even hope. It can be a lot, right? So when you start to feel your emotions rise (which is normal!), it's important to find your 'center' again. But how do you do that? Tune in to this week's new episode for a quick and helpful tip about detaching that you can use with anyone in your life (even with...

When you love someone struggling with addiction, you may feel depressed or have feelings of anxiety. You've been through a lot because of their addiction, right? Just know that you're not alone in feeling this way. Many people in our community can relate to what you're going through (myself included). And that's what I'm going to discuss today: my personal story of struggling with depression (along with what's been helpful for me). https://loveoveraddiction.com/my-depression-story/