In this Valentine's Day special, intervention specialists Christopher Doyle and Danny Klein reveal counterintuitive truths about loving someone with addiction…

They discuss the challenges of maintaining a loving relationship with someone struggling with substance use, the importance of connection, and the necessity of intervention and support. The speakers emphasize the need for effective communication, setting boundaries, and recognizing addiction as a serious issue that requires outside help. They share a case study illustrating the positive impact of a recovery contract and highlight the importance of envisioning a healthy future in relationships.

In this conversation, Chris and Danny explore the complexities of relationships affected by substance use. They discuss the importance of understanding the impact of addiction on loved ones, the difficult decisions that must be made, and the duality of outcomes that can arise from these situations. The conversation emphasizes the need for support, the effectiveness of contrary actions in conflict resolution, and the significant role family members play in the recovery process. They highlight that external influences often drive individuals towards sobriety and encourage listeners to seek help and resources for their loved ones.

Episode Highlights

• Relationships are central to our lives and recovery.
• Addiction complicates relationships, creating a two-on-one dynamic.
• Effective communication is crucial in relationships affected by addiction.
• Intervention is often necessary to address addiction.
• Recognizing addiction is the first step towards recovery.
• A recovery contract can provide structure and accountability.
• Improving communication can enhance relationships, regardless of addiction status.
• Setting boundaries is essential for both partners' well-being.
• Envisioning a happy future can motivate change in relationships.
• Honesty and willingness to change are key to overcoming challenges. If your loved one continues to use substances, your vision for the future may be impossible.
• Making informed decisions about relationships can lead to healthier outcomes.
• Divorce can sometimes lead to positive changes for both partners.
• Hope exists in various forms, even in difficult endings.
• Addiction requires a unique approach that differs from typical relationship advice.
• The most obvious actions in addiction situations can often be the most dangerous.
• Supporting recovery is not the same as enabling addiction.
• Family members can play a crucial role in initiating recovery for loved ones.
• Most individuals achieve sobriety due to external influences rather than internal motivation.
• It's essential to seek help and resources when dealing with addiction in relationships.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://whyintervention.com/
• https://twitter.com/whyintervention
• https://www.facebook.com/whyintervention/

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In this poignant episode, Chris returns with Danny after a long break to share a heartfelt story of loss, resilience, and hope. Christopher opens up about the devastating loss of his son Conor and the challenges faced by his family. Despite the grief, Christopher found new strength to help other families by preventing addiction early. This episode is a moving testament to healing, community support, and the power of turning tragedy into a mission for good. Listen to discover how Christopher’s personal journey could drive change in your life too.

Episode Highlights

• Discussing unexpected life changes.
• Devastating loss of son, Conor.
• Story of strength during delivery crisis.
• Grieving and explaining to young children.
• Recovery community’s support.
• Wife’s health scare and resilience.
• Writing a transformative book.
• Stop addiction early to save lives.
• Addressing the opioid crisis.
• Empowering parents to act early.
• Honoring Conor through action.

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://whyintervention.com/
• https://twitter.com/whyintervention
• https://www.facebook.com/whyintervention/

Call to Action
Schedule a Call
Free Resources

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This podcast episode features Certified Professional Coach Mary Ann Palmer who shares her struggles with denial about the severity of her son’s addiction and how she overcame it. She addresses misconceptions about addiction and stresses the importance of family support in the recovery process. Mary Ann emphasizes the need for patience and persistence due to the long-term nature of recovery. She also provides insights on managing a child's cravings, identifying triggers, and the benefits of community support. She advises working with a professional coach and continuous self-education. Chris and Mary Ann challenge the idea of waiting for a loved one to reach their lowest point before considering stepping in to help.

Episode Highlights

• The story of her mother's addiction and her brother suffering from alcohol use disorder and eventually passing sober
• The notable moment when she found her son's backpack full of empty beer bottles and had her first acceptance of the fact that there was something wrong
• The assumption and denial stage in which most parents are in when they seek out help
• The final time her son went to rehab was his path to sobriety, as he did so after finding out that his girlfriend was pregnant
• Her son's momentary relapse after a year of sobriety when she found him drunk in their kitchen
• How she strategized her response to her son's relapse using the CRAFT methodology and displayed calmness instead of anger, resulting in a constructive conversation
• The usefulness of the term "influence" in managing addictive behavior
• The exercise she uses to explain what addiction feels like to the person suffering from it
• What drew her to peer coaching and how she decided to help parents going through what she went through in dealing with a child suffering addiction
• How you can start preparing a plan and potentially writing a contract for relapse situations
• The importance of positively reinforcing good behaviors

Links and Resources from this Episode

• https://whyintervention.com/
• https://twitter.com/whyintervention
• https://www.facebook.com/whyintervention/
• https://www.maryanncpalmer.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-c-palmer  

Call to Action
Schedule a Call
Free Resources

Review, Subscribe and Share
If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here

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• Follow on Spotify
• Subscribe with RSS