96. The Impact of Addiction on Families And Loved Ones

So many of us have been affected by the disease of addiction. Its impact on family members and loved ones can be overwhelming. How can we best show up through that crisis and still function effectively? How can we best support our loved one who is struggling with addiction?

Today's guest is Nancy Espuche. For the last decade, Nancy has been an experienced sales professional who has been an active participant in the recovery community as she faced the daunting challenge of her son’s substance use disorder. In addition, she is a speaker and author. Unfortunately, on December 19th, 2016, her beloved son Lucas lost his battle. Her mission, through KardBoard House, is to address the impact of addiction on loved ones, family members, and, ultimately, the workforce. With business leaders, executives, educators, and mental health/treatment professionals, Nancy works with organizations to guide and support those whose professional and personal lives have been disrupted by someone’s substance use disorder.

She shares her powerful insights on so many important topics:

-The importance of doing it out of unconditional love, not to achieve the desired result

-The powerful gift of acceptance as a tool for building freedom in an overwhelming situation

-The need to understand we are truly powerless over everyone else's journey. We cannot chart the course of another's life.

-The need for self-care to help manage the trauma of another's addiction

-The benefit of the community and the gift of sharing with others what we are going through, so we know we are not alone, and we receive the support of others.

-The need for forgiveness of ourselves and the addict

-The benefits of speaking our truth about the situation

-How law firms and employers can best support their staff as they work through the addiction process of a loved one

This is a deeply human, intensely personal, and very moving episode not to be missed!

Nancy has frequently spoken on this topic, including with Newsweek, the St. Paul Press, the New York Bar Association, and the Lawyers Assistance Professional Conference. Her website is kardboardhouse.com. Her powerful book Kardboard House; My Life-Altering Journey Through Lucas's Addiction is available on Amazon. You may reach her by email @Nancy18@KardboardHouse.com. 

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