In this raw and honest episode, I’m laying it all out — the top 5 mistakes I made (and maybe you’ve made too) while trying to help my addicted teen. From trying to fix everything, to letting guilt call the shots, to losing myself completely — I’ve been there. This isn’t about shame. It’s about recognizing the patterns that keep us stuck so we can start to break free. If you’re parenting a child struggling with addiction or mental illness, this one’s for you. You are not alone.

There’s a moment—one you never forget—when you realize your child isn’t just experimenting, acting out, or going through a phase. It’s the moment when denial starts to slip away, and reality settles in: They need help, and this is bigger than you ever imagined.

As a mother, nothing prepares you for this. The late-night worry turns into fear, the excuses you once made don’t hold up anymore, and the person standing in front of you feels like a stranger. Addiction and drug-induced mental illness don’t just take hold overnight—it creeps in, little by little, until suddenly, you can’t ignore it anymore.

In this episode, I’m taking you back to the beginning—the moment I knew my child needed help. The signs I missed, the excuses I made, and the fear that came with stepping out of denial and into the unknown. If you’re in this place, feeling lost and overwhelmed, you are not alone.

Let’s talk about what happens when you first face the truth, how to navigate those early stages of acceptance, and why the most important thing you can do is start taking care of yourself too.

Denial is one of the biggest roadblocks to an addict’s recovery, and when one parent refuses to see the reality of their child’s addiction, it creates an even more painful and complicated struggle. I know this firsthand. When one parent is fighting to get their child the help they need while the other minimizes, excuses, or outright denies the problem, it can delay treatment and make the journey even harder.

In this episode, I’ll talk about the emotional toll of dealing with a partner who won’t accept the truth and how that denial—whether out of fear, guilt, or misplaced hope—can prolong the chaos. But more importantly, I’ll share ways to handle the situation, from setting firm boundaries to having difficult but necessary conversations. How we navigate this dynamic can directly impact how soon our child gets help. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away, but facing it together—no matter how hard—can be the first step toward healing.

In this episode, "I CRACKED AND SAID YES," I open up about a struggle that so many parents of addicts face—the moments when, despite our best intentions, we cave in. I’ve been there. I’ve stood firm, telling myself I wouldn’t enable, that I had learned to say no. And then, in a moment of weakness, I cracked. I said yes. Maybe it was out of fear, exhaustion, or just that desperate hope that this time would be different. But it wasn’t. And the guilt that follows can be overwhelming.

I know I can’t go back to yesterday. I can’t undo the moment when I gave in. But what I can do is acknowledge it, learn from it, and decide how I’ll handle it differently next time. That’s the best I can do, and if you’re listening, I want you to know—it’s the best you can do, too.

In this episode, I talk about the emotional rollercoaster of loving an addict and the impossible battle between wanting to protect them and knowing that helping isn’t always truly helping. I share my own experience with enabling, the guilt that follows, and how I remind myself to move forward rather than dwell on past mistakes.

Setting boundaries is one of the hardest things a parent can do, especially when addiction and mental illness are involved. Saying no can feel cruel, even when you know deep down it’s necessary. But every time I stumble, I try to remind myself that boundaries aren’t just for my son—they’re for me, too. They allow me to keep my own life intact so I don’t drown in his chaos.

If you’ve ever cracked and said yes, you’re not alone. This episode is about grace—giving it to yourself, learning from the past, and choosing to move forward in a way that protects your own well-being. We can’t undo the past, but we can take control of what happens next.

Keywords: #ParentalEnabling #AddictionRecovery #SettingBoundaries #ParentSupport #FamilyHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #OvercomingGuilt #HealthyBoundaries #SupportForParents #AddictionAndFamily

In this episode, "Is You're Life a Mess?", I get real about my journey as a mom who's adolescent is an addict with drug induced Mental Illness. I share my story of coping with the chaos—both past and present—and offer insights into how we can all learn to keep the mess at bay. But when life inevitably throws us off course, I dive into the art of embracing the mess, understanding where we are right now, and using that clarity to pave a path forward. Join me as I explore practical strategies for managing life's challenges, celebrating our growth, and finding strength in our vulnerabilities. This episode is a candid conversation about resilience, hope, and the power of self-discovery in turning life’s mess into meaningful progress.

Estrangement is one of the hardest things a parent can face, especially when it’s tied to addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, or gambling. As a mother currently navigating this reality, I know the emotional rollercoaster all too well—the worry, the guilt, the endless "what-ifs." It’s easy to feel stuck, wondering if you should reach out, let go, or hold on to hope. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the small but important ways I’m working on coping, healing, and finding peace despite the distance. If you’re struggling with a child, sibling, or loved one who has cut ties, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about how to move forward, set boundaries, and take care of ourselves—because healing doesn’t have to depend on someone else coming back.

The holidays have ended, and now it’s time to take a step back and reflect. Did you find yourself enabling a loved one struggling with addiction or mental illness? Did you keep the peace at the expense of your own well-being? Or maybe you set some boundaries—but wish you had done more? As a mother who has been there, I know how hard it is to balance love, guilt, and the fear of conflict during family gatherings. In this episode, I’m looking back on what went right, what went wrong, and how we can start preparing now for next time. Breaking the cycle of enabling doesn’t happen overnight, but recognizing the patterns is the first step. I’ll share my personal experiences, what I’ve learned, and small but powerful ways to start making real changes. It’s never too late to put yourself first, set boundaries, and take back your peace—because next year, you deserve to feel stronger and more in control.

"When Helping Hurts: Parenting a 27-Year-Old Struggling with Mental Health, Addiction, and Life’s Next Steps"

Episode Description:
In this episode of From One Mother of an Addict to Another, I tackle a deeply complex and emotionally draining family dilemma: parenting a 27-year-old who’s single, jobless, living at home, and struggling with mental health challenges and potential drug or alcohol use.

As parents, we instinctively want to fix the situation, but what happens when our efforts to help only seem to make things worse? Drawing from my own journey as a mother, I’ll share candid insights into what I’ve learned about supporting an adult child in crisis—while avoiding the trap of enabling destructive behaviors.

We’ll explore:

• How mental health and substance use complicate the “failure to launch” phenomenon.
• The importance of setting boundaries that prioritize both your child’s growth and your family’s well-being.
• How to navigate feelings of guilt, anger, and helplessness while fostering a healthier dynamic.
• Practical tips for addressing mental health concerns, encouraging independence, and creating a plan for moving forward.

This is a raw, honest look at the reality many families face, but it’s also a reminder that you’re not alone. Together, we’ll discuss what can—and can’t—be done when love and tough love collide in the most challenging ways.