Are you trying to save your child from addiction so much that it's silently destroying your own wellbeing?

Many parents facing a child's substance abuse believe relentless rescuing is love—but what if it’s a trap that deepens the struggle for both of you? This episode explores the emotional addiction to rescuing, and why learning to let go without giving up may be the hardest—and most important—step you take.

• Understand the hidden cycle of fear, guilt, and social pressure that keeps parents stuck in “rescue mode.”
• Learn practical ways to shift from rescuing to supporting without abandoning your child or your peace.
• Discover the power of loving detachment and how small changes can restore boundaries and hope.

Listen now to learn how to step back from destructive patterns and support your child’s recovery without losing yourself in the process.

This podcast offers general insights and lived experience related to substance abuse disorder, including topics such as heroin addiction, addiction recovery, addiction counselling, and family therapy and addiction. We also explore resources like Al-Anon, Family Drug Support, family of addicts support groups, and strategies on how to support an addict or help with addiction.

Episodes may discuss substance abuse treatment, personal journeys, and tools for healing. However, nothing shared on this podcast should be considered professional advice or a substitute for medical, legal, or psychological care. Every family is different — if you’re supporting someone through addiction, please make decisions that are right for you, ideally in consultation with qualified professionals and appropriate support networks.

Have you ever felt like it's your responsibility to save your child from addiction—only to find yourself breaking in the process?

When a child is facing substance use struggles, many parents fall into the trap of over-functioning, losing themselves in the process of trying to fix something they can’t control. In this deeply personal episode, Karen Hardy shares how shifting from control to compassion—and from burnout to boundaries—changed everything in her relationship with her son.

• Discover the emotional toll of trying to be your child’s savior—and how to reclaim your energy and peace.
• Learn how staying connected without losing yourself can open the door to real healing.
• Hear how Karen’s decision to heal herself became the catalyst for her son’s recovery from heroin.

Press play to hear Karen’s powerful journey and learn how choosing self-healing over control can transform your path—and your child’s.

You can read more about Karen’s story and find strength in her book, I Can’t Do This Anymore, available online now https://a.co/d/dPYNPro

What if the relapse you fear most is actually a necessary step toward your child’s lasting recovery?

When your loved one finally agrees to rehab, the wave of hope can be overwhelming—but what happens when they relapse? This episode unpacks the emotional rollercoaster many parents face, offering vital clarity and support around why relapse is often part of the journey, not the end of it.

• Learn why most people relapse multiple times before achieving lasting recovery—and how knowing this can protect your heart.
• Discover how to emotionally prepare for the ups and downs of rehab and recovery, without losing hope.
• Gain practical strategies for managing your expectations and avoiding burnout as a parent navigating addiction recovery.

Listen now to understand how embracing relapse as part of the process can bring you greater peace and strength on your journey.

This podcast provides practical guidance and support for families navigating the challenges of substance abuse disorder, offering insights from addiction recovery experts, family therapy, and support groups like Al-Anon and Family Drug Support, with a focus on understanding how to help and support loved ones dealing with addiction, including heroin addiction, through counselling and treatment options.

Are you exhausted from trying to "fix" your child—and wondering if it's taking a toll on your own wellbeing?

When your child is struggling with substance use, the emotional rollercoaster of fear, hope, and helplessness can push you to the brink. This episode dives into the overlooked reality of parental burnout, and how letting go of control and focusing on self-care can be a powerful turning point—for both you and your child.

• Learn the subtle but powerful difference between supporting and saving your child.
• Hear how addiction can create a parallel journey for parents, and why your healing matters too.
• Discover how counsellor and parent Karen Hardy shifted her role—and how that changed everything for her son.

Tune in to hear Karen's deeply honest story and learn how reclaiming your own emotional space can become the foundation for your child’s recovery.

Explore more about Karen’s journey and insights in her powerful book I Can’t Do This Anymore, available online now https://a.co/d/dPYNPro

Are you tired of being told you have to wait for your child to want recovery before anything can change?

Many parents of children struggling with substance abuse are trapped in helpless waiting, believing they must sit by until their child chooses recovery. In this episode, you'll discover why that belief is not only misleading but dangerous — and how understanding the reality of substance abuse disorder can empower you to take meaningful action now.

• Learn why waiting for a child to "feel ready" can prolong suffering and delay real change.
• Discover how maintaining connection and allowing natural consequences can support recovery without enabling harmful behaviours.
• Understand why your love and boundaries are powerful tools, even when change feels invisible.

Press play now to learn how you can stop waiting and start building a bridge of hope and healing for your child today.

This podcast provides practical guidance and support for families navigating the challenges of substance abuse disorder, offering insights from addiction recovery experts, family therapy, and support groups like Al-Anon and Family Drug Support, with a focus on understanding how to help and support loved ones dealing with addiction, including heroin addiction, through counselling and treatment options.

Is cutting your child off really the best path to recovery—or could it be deepening the disconnect?

Many parents are told to wait for their child to “hit rock bottom” or to apply “tough love,” but this episode challenges those outdated and often harmful approaches. If you’ve been struggling with whether to stay connected or step back, this conversation will give you a compassionate, research-backed perspective.

• Understand why connection and attachment—not isolation—are the keys to meaningful recovery.
• Learn how to set healthy boundaries while continuing to show love and support for your child.
• Discover how your own emotional healing and stability can positively impact your child’s recovery journey.

Listen now to hear expert insight from Mary Crocker Cook and find a more hopeful, heart-centered way to support your child through addiction.

Dive deeper into Mary Crocker Cook’s transformative work on addiction, attachment, and family healing by exploring her books at marycrockercook.com/books.

This podcast provides practical guidance and support for families navigating the challenges of substance abuse disorder, offering insights from addiction recovery experts, family therapy, and support groups like Al-Anon and Family Drug Support, with a focus on understanding how to help and support loved ones dealing with addiction, including heroin addiction, through counselling and treatment options.

Ever wondered if that gut feeling about your child’s addiction is true intuition—or just fear speaking?

When you're parenting a child in addiction recovery, making the right decision in high-stakes moments can feel overwhelming. The internal tug-of-war between fear and intuition is real—and knowing which voice to follow could be the difference between helping and hindering their recovery journey.

• Discover how to distinguish between fear-driven reactions and intuitive insight, even in moments of chaos.
• Learn practical techniques—like grounding, journaling, and mindful breathing—to reconnect with your inner clarity.
• Hear a powerful, personal story of a mother’s intuition that may have saved her daughter's life—and how trusting yourself can be an act of love.

Press play to learn how to tune out the noise and trust your inner guidance when it matters most.

This podcast provides practical guidance and support for families navigating the challenges of substance abuse disorder, offering insights from addiction recovery experts, family therapy, and support groups like Al-Anon and Family Drug Support, with a focus on understanding how to help and support loved ones dealing with addiction, including heroin addiction, through counselling and treatment options.

How do you handle judgment when your child is struggling with addiction—and everyone around you seems to have an opinion?

If you're a parent navigating the painful and complex journey of a child's substance use, you've likely faced shame, isolation, and unsolicited advice. This episode dives deep into the emotional toll and offers practical tools to preserve your well-being and your relationship with your child, even in the face of stigma.

• Learn how to assertively set emotional boundaries when others make hurtful or uninformed comments.
• Discover why grief is a hidden yet powerful force in the addiction journey—and how to give it space.
• Gain clarity on why maintaining connection, not tough love, can be a lifeline for both you and your child.

Press play to learn how to protect your peace, hold compassionate boundaries, and stay connected with your child through addiction's most isolating moments.

Explore more of Mary Crocker Cook’s compassionate wisdom and groundbreaking insights in her books at marycrockercook.com/books.

This podcast provides practical guidance and support for families navigating the challenges of substance abuse disorder, offering insights from addiction recovery experts, family therapy, and support groups like Al-Anon and Family Drug Support, with a focus on understanding how to help and support loved ones dealing with addiction, including heroin addiction, through counselling and treatment options.