Coming Up for Air — A Toolkit to Help with Your Loved One's Recovery from Addiction & Mental Illness
Allies in Recovery
This podcast is comprised of three series addressing topics relevant to families dealing with a loved one's addiction:
- FAMILIES SPEAK: parents share wisdom, tools & experience using CRAFT (a proven method) with their loved one
- Partner CRAFT: co-hosts explore the specificity of using CRAFT with a romantic partner (or ex)
- VOICES from the FRONT LINES: Guests share expertise and stories
Allies in Recovery provides online learning modules, expert hand-tailored guidance, CRAFT support groups, info on treatment options, and much more.
Learn about membership options on alliesinrecovery.net
- FAMILIES SPEAK: parents share wisdom, tools & experience using CRAFT (a proven method) with their loved one
- Partner CRAFT: co-hosts explore the specificity of using CRAFT with a romantic partner (or ex)
- VOICES from the FRONT LINES: Guests share expertise and stories
Allies in Recovery provides online learning modules, expert hand-tailored guidance, CRAFT support groups, info on treatment options, and much more.
Learn about membership options on alliesinrecovery.net
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 17, 2022 • 36min
Watching Families Progress
Our hosts discuss their joy in witnessing the progress of families in their groups. If you’re helping your loved one, start with yourself and your own healing. Healing is, Kayla says, not best done alone. And with Allies in Recovery, you don’t have to do it alone. You get to be part of a group of people doing the work, and get support not just for concepts, but for implementing the powerful tools of CRAFT. This is the work that can help your loved one.
Dec 9, 2022 • 30min
Collaboration vs. Ultimatum
When your loved one is returning, communicate and collaborate -- about your expectations, concerns, and plans. Keep on collaborating over time, so that if concerns arise, your loved one can take responsibility and have agency, so that you're not running the show on your own. Without their "skin in the game," little can change. Model engagement, which is also part of the treatment process.
Dec 2, 2022 • 27min
Denial? Or Ambivalence?
Don't assume someone is lying or "in denial." At Allies, we believe family members and loved ones are aware of what's happening -- even when they don't really want to know. We can see things as complicated -- or ambivalent, a struggle between two orientations -- and know it takes time to move through a process.
Nov 25, 2022 • 30min
Here Come the Holidays — How Do You Deal?
Holidays. Winter. How do you deal? Start by shifting expectations about how things might go, and who might be there. Have conversations about “soft” expectations with your loved one in advance. Consider alternative plans, and take care of yourself. Stick with people who support you. How can you shift yourself, your belief system, and your behavior? Share duties, and consider an alcohol-free holiday, whether your loved one has any issue with it or not.
Nov 18, 2022 • 28min
How Do You Stop Catastrophizing?
If you find yourself swept away in the undertow of negative thinking about what might happen and how you might prevent it, the number-one tool to use is stepping back, noticing that you're doing it. Number two is deciding to shift it, starting with "no negative talk." And third is hitting the metaphorical "reset" button, finding something to soothe yourself. At first, it may not go well, but over time, you can get good at it.
Nov 11, 2022 • 23min
Guest Jaclyn Brown Returns: Part 2
In part 2 of 2, Jaclyn Brown talks about her personal journey in the wake of losing her brother. For her, advocacy and harm reduction work became a way to find her own voice and power after feeling guilty and helpless. To hear more of Jaclyn's story, be sure to check out our earlier interviews with her.
Nov 4, 2022 • 31min
Guest Jaclyn Brown Returns: Part 1
"The universe is trying to tell me something" -- Guest Jaclyn Brown returns to discuss her advocacy and harm reduction work in the wake of losing her brother. To hear more of Jaclyn's story, be sure to check out our earlier interviews with her.
Nov 4, 2022 • 38min
What are Wishes and Dips?
You've got tools -- active listening, being curious and open -- so when your loved one expresses what they would like, or feels they can't continue as they are, you're ready. In those moments of "wishes and dips," you can gently move forward, listening to them and having resources ready, for now or whenever they're ready. It's a main tenet of CRAFT -- noticing the openings. It's also a practice -- something to stay with over time, so you have a chance to be received.
Oct 21, 2022 • 25min
An Interview with Guest Jaclyn Brown: Part 2
The rest of our interview with Jaclyn Brown, a podcast host and voice for advocacy. In part 1, she discussed losing her brother to addiction. In part 2, she discusses the aftermath, and what she does to create space in her own life for her ongoing grief.
Oct 14, 2022 • 31min
An Interview with Guest Jaclyn Brown: Part 1
Guest Jaclyn Brown tells the story of her painful voyage through losing her brother to addiction. She's now a podcast host and a voice for advocacy.
