Love Over Addiction

Have you gone back and forth (maybe many times) on whether you should stay or leave your relationship with your loved one who struggles with addiction?

And let's be honest: that mental mind game can get pretty exhausting sometimes, right?

Just know that it's okay if you don't know right now what you want to do. But it's also so important to remember that you DO have control over your decision. And that's what I'm going to dive into with today's new episode (along with a personal story about a big decision my daughter made recently).

Find more here:
https://loveoveraddiction.com/decision/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

Have you ever thought that if you just keep a smile on your face and look pretty and perfectly together (even though you're barely hanging on), that it will be easier than expressing what you're REALLY going through while loving someone struggling with addiction?

But how is that healthy? (Hint: it's not).

Tune in to this new episode where I dive into why it's so important to embrace who you really are and shed the shell of who you think you 'should' be (to yourself and everyone else).

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/pretty/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

You've more than likely tried expressing your feelings to them, right? Like how their drinking or using is affecting you and your relationship. Or that you're at your breaking point in dealing with their behavior.

But has that actually helped to change anything?

Tune in to this week's new episode, where we do some 'real talk,' and I give some loving truths about what YOU can do if your loved one is not getting sober.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/sober-real-talk/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever thought about the possibility of leaving them? Because let's be honest, it can be exhausting wondering how much longer you can put up with the hurt and ups and downs. Right?

And that's what I'm going to discuss with you today.

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I share my personal story of how I finally realized that I needed to divorce my ex-husband (and how I knew that I would follow through with my decision).

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/divorce/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

Have you ever felt crazy because of your loved one's addiction? Like, maybe their addiction is all in your mind and not real? Or that you're somehow at fault for their addiction?

So how do you move past feeling this way?

Tune in to this episode, where I share several new stories that I haven't told before about my personal experience of feeling crazy because of my ex-husband's addiction.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/convince-crazy/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

Have you ever worried that something bad might happen to your loved one that struggles with addiction? Maybe it's a fear of them getting in trouble legally or overdosing...or even dying. Just thinking about this might give you some anxiety, right?

But how do you start to overcome this fear so that it's not consuming you?

Tune in to this week's new episode to hear why letting go of certain things is so important (and how you CAN start to feel better).

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/fear-anxiety/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, you're more than likely taking on too much responsibility. I mean, let's be honest; you're probably the one who always makes sure that everything gets done, whether that's the household, children, finances, or many other things. It can be downright exhausting.

So, how can you tell if you're taking on too much responsibility?

Tune in to this new episode where you'll learn that you don't have to do it all (and why you probably feel like you currently need to).

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/too-much-responsibility/ 

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, it can be frustrating because you see them self-destruct. And in turn, it can also sometimes affect you (and your children), right? I've been there before, too.

So how can you start to feel better?

Tune in to this week's new episode, where we'll brainstorm some consequences for your loved one's behavior. Doing this will help give YOU the power to choose your reactions.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/consequences/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever felt like you're losing yourself? Or maybe feel like you're crazy because of things your partner says to you?

Here's the thing: that's not healthy.

So, how do you find your way back to your true (and healthy) self again? Tune in to this week's new episode to hear some tips on how to do that.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/health-and-healing/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, you just want to try to make sense of why this is happening to them, right? And you probably also want some validation that they really do have a problem (because let's be honest, addiction can make you feel crazy sometimes).

So is there a way to be able to do that (and does it really help)?

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I cover several screening tools and how understanding this process will help your expectations if your partner undergoes one.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/screening/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

As you know, there are many things that a person can be addicted to, such as alcohol, drugs, or pornography. But there's one type of addiction that I haven't really discussed much, which is gambling.

I have been learning more and more about it, so I want to share what I've learned so far, including what causes someone to become addicted to gambling.

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I'll discuss this, as well as different types of gambling that your loved one may struggle with.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/gambling/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you have children with your partner who struggles with addiction, it's important to know and understand that they have an increased risk of developing an addiction themselves.

Regardless of how nurturing of an environment you provide to your children, there's still a possibility of this happening.

So how do you break this cycle? Tune in to this new episode where I cover why it's so important to educate your children (regardless of their age) about addiction.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/future-of-addiction/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When thinking about your loved one who struggles with addiction, have you ever wondered why it affects them? What is it that makes some more prone to addiction than others?

As I've said before, most of my episodes are all about you and your healing. I usually don't concentrate on those struggling with addiction. 

But I really think some of this research can empower you to make necessary decisions about your own future.

Tune in to this new episode where I go over three reasons they may be more prone to addiction and why it's important to release any responsibility from yourself.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/prone-to-addiction/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

As you may have heard several episodes ago, I'm taking a certification course at Stanford that's all about the history and theories of addiction in a very scientific way. And I'm not going to lie; it's a lot. 

But I want to share with you (in a more 'cliff notes' sort of way) some of what I'm learning because I think it will help you understand why people become addicted. 

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I'll cover three theories of addiction and how you have what it takes to be happy and healthy as an individual (even if your partner is struggling with addiction).

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/addiction-theory/ 

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

This week, I'm switching gears a little bit to talk about a subject that may be a little sensitive to some of you (myself included): abuse.

While the thought of possibly being in an abusive relationship may be a bit unsettling, knowing if certain behaviors are abusive is so important. Knowledge is power.

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I cover six types of abuse, as well as my personal experience with it. 

And even if you're not in an abusive relationship with your partner, having this information in your back pocket might help somebody else out in your life. 

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/abuse/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

A loved one's addiction can sometimes have a way of making you feel that what you're asking for in your relationship is unrealistic. Can you relate?

But just know that you're not crazy for wanting those things. That's why it's important to understand the steps in their recovery (and yours!) that will help you manage your expectations in a healthy way.

Tune in to this new episode where I dive into Steps 8 and 9 of the '12 Steps' of recovery, which are about your loved one evaluating things they've done, taking responsibility for it, and trying to repair the damage that has been done.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/expectations/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, have you ever wondered what it could look like if they ever got sober? Or what their behaviors would be and if they're someone who you can have hope in?

Over the last couple of episodes, we've been working through some of the '12 Steps' of recovery because it's important to have reasonable expectations for yourself about where they may be in their recovery.

Tune in to this new episode where I pick up with Steps 5 and 6 and why forgiveness and their willingness to make changes are essential.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/work/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

If you tuned in last week, you heard me covering some of the first steps in helping you figure out where your loved one may be in their recovery. And this week, we're going to dive in even more.

These steps will not only help you understand what recovery looks like for them but how some of it may even apply to your own healing, as well.

Tune in to this new episode, where I share the importance of taking a self-inventory, codependency, and how addressing both are essential for recovery.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/recovery/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you might have heard about the '12 Steps' of recovery. These are a set of guidelines (steps) to work toward recovery.

As you know, I usually don't go into depth about their alcoholism or addiction. However, understanding these steps can help indicate where they're at in their own recovery.

Tune in to this week's new episode, where I'll cover the first two 'steps.' (We'll dive into the other steps in the coming weeks). There's also a free printable worksheet that you can print and fill out.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/12-steps/ 

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com

When you love someone struggling with addiction, they've most likely played mind games with you at some point. As a result, it can lead to anger or frustration on your part (which is completely understandable).

So what do you do if they're making you feel like you are the crazy one for getting upset?

Tune in to this new episode to hear an important question to ask yourself, as well as what to do when your loved one tries to get a rise out of you.

Find more here: 

https://loveoveraddiction.com/mind-games-anger/

Join us here: https://loveoveraddiction.com