A Caregiver's Guide On The Tolls Of Loving An Addict

 

Running on Empty: How to Refill Your Cup When Supporting a Loved One with Addiction

Supporting someone struggling with addiction is one of the toughest roads to walk. You love them, you care for them, and you want to help them through this dark journey. But let’s be real: you’re exhausted, anxious, and maybe even resentful. You're running on fumes, and then you stumble upon advice to “stay positive” or “listen more patiently.” And you think to yourself, "How am I supposed to do that when I’ve got nothing left to give?"

The Empty Cup Dilemma

You’ve probably heard the saying: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” And right now, your cup is bone dry. In this guide, we’re going to talk about how to refill your emotional reserves so you can continue being the supportive, loving person you want to be. Your needs matter, too.

I’m Amber Hollingsworth, a Master Addiction Counselor, and on my YouTube channel,...

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Feeling stuck? Ask Yourself These 3 Transformational Questions Daily

Unlock Self-Awareness and Transform Your Life with These 3 Questions

Too often, we move through our days on autopilot, never stopping to reflect on the motivations behind our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. But what if you took a few moments each day to pause, reflect, and ask yourself three transformational questions? These questions can unlock self-awareness, help you grow personally, and strengthen your relationships.

Whether you're on a personal recovery journey or navigating family recovery, self-awareness and self-honesty are essential for lasting change. These daily reflections will challenge you to get honest with yourself and build the habit of integrity over time.

Here are the three powerful questions to ask yourself every night.


1. Was I Resentful Today?

Resentment can quietly build, turning into self-pity and leading to poor decisions. It’s like a low-level anger that simmers under the surface. Identifying resentment is critical for personal growth and...

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People-Pleaser or Self-Sabotage? How People-Pleasing Can Lead to Addiction

The Duality of Addiction: People-Pleasing at Its Core

Addiction often carries a stereotype of selfishness, but at its core, it’s often driven by people-pleasing. This duality is one of the biggest challenges in understanding and addressing addiction. Imagine a person who, on the surface, seems to care deeply about others, giving their all to family, work, and friends, but who also battles an internal struggle with addiction that drives behaviors at odds with who they truly are. Let's explore this contrast and its impact on both individuals and their loved ones.

The Duality of Addiction and Self-Perception

In a recent family consultation, a husband described his wife as kind, compassionate, and hardworking—the epitome of someone who genuinely cares about others. Yet, when under the influence, she becomes confrontational, even antagonistic. This stark contrast between a person’s true self and their behavior during addiction is a common experience for families,...

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The Link Between Social Anxiety and Addiction (that no one wants to talk about!)



Does social anxiety often lead to drug/alcohol abuse? 😰

We did a deep dive in this recently released video into social anxiety with special guest Dr. Ali Mattu, an anxiety expert! He even shares his struggles with social anxiety.

Stay until the end of the video. That's where we discuss how substance abuse can limit a person's choices and make them more inflexible, making anxiety worse in the long run.

Amber Hollingsworth

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Does Polyvagal Theory Explain Why People With Addictions Make Such Bad Choices?

Special guest Justin Sunseri, LMFT, explains the relationship between trauma, addiction, and the Polyvagal Theory.

Learn more from Justin about Polyvagal Theory and self-regulationhttps://www.justinlmft.com/ 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
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