Do What You Can Live With: Navigating Through Addiction and Recovery

• Radical Acceptance and My Daughter's Addiction

  In this episode, I talk about the moment I finally let go of trying to control my daughter's addiction and what radical acceptance looked like in real life. I share how fear was running my parenting, how close I came to losing myself completely, and how surrendering shifted our entire relationship. I also share a story from yesterday that still feels unreal: taking my daughter — almost two years in recovery — and her children to the Magic Kingdom. Watching her run around with her son, sober and present, reminded me why letting go mattered more than forcing my plans onto her. If you are drowning right now, scared of losing your child, or feel like you can't survive another day of chaos, this episode is for you. What we talk about: Parenting from fear vs clarity The breaking point that forced me to surrender What radical acceptance actually looks like Why bringing up rehab every day made things worse How I stopped reacting and started listening Letting go of the fantasy timeline of recovery Why self-abandonment is so common in parents How I rebuilt trust with my daughter A real exercise you can do tonight to start shifting your own patterns Resources mentioned: My book: Do What You Can Live With Amazon link: https://a.co/d/1pnyKll Free resources for families: brandimac.com Share your story or ask a question: Email: [email protected] YouTube video of this episode: Here If this episode helped you: Please leave a rating or review. It helps other families find this support when they're searching in the darkest moments.

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• Empowering Change Through Advocacy

  Keywords recovery, addiction, advocacy, community, personal growth, storytelling, resilience, Kensington, self-care, support Summary In this episode, Brandi Mac shares personal updates about her family, including her daughter's recovery journey and her own struggles with work-life balance. She discusses her advocacy efforts, including a recent event called Rise for Recovery, where she engaged with other advocates and learned about impactful stories of resilience. Brandi reflects on her experiences in Kensington, a community facing significant challenges due to addiction, and emphasizes the importance of community support and outreach. She concludes with a call to action for listeners to contribute to their communities and support those in need. Takeaways Brandi's daughter is nearing two years in recovery. She is focusing more on advocacy and less on hospital work. The Rise for Recovery event was a transformative experience. Storytelling is a powerful tool in advocacy. Kensington is a community deeply affected by addiction. Brandi emphasizes the importance of self-care. Community outreach is crucial in addressing addiction. Brandi's book aims to support families dealing with addiction. It's okay to find joy amidst pain and struggle. Everyone can contribute to their community in meaningful ways. Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Personal Updates 05:27 Advocacy and Community Engagement 11:32 Storytelling and Collaboration in Advocacy 16:36 Impactful Stories from the Summit 21:14 Kensington Experience and Observations 26:03 Navigating Advocacy and Community Challenges 31:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action   Brandi's Book "Do What You Can Live With: A Survival Guide for Families Navigating Addiction, Grief and Impossible Choices" HERE Please send emails that I can share. Send anything, but I really want to know whats the craziest thing you have done as loved one through their addiction?  Email: [email protected]

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• Rebuilding Lives: The Journey of Recovery

  In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of addiction and recovery, emphasizing the broken treatment system, the importance of sober homes, and the need for medicated assisted treatment. She shares personal experiences related to her daughter's recovery from addiction and highlights the significance of hope, compassion, and community support in the recovery process. Brandi advocates for better treatment options and the necessity of addressing housing and employment challenges faced by those in recovery. Takeaways The treatment system for addiction is fundamentally flawed. Sober homes often lack proper regulation and oversight. Medicated assisted treatment is crucial for recovery success. Housing stability is essential for individuals in recovery. Compassion and empathy are vital in supporting those struggling with addiction. There is a significant divide between harm reduction and abstinence-based models. Hope is a critical component of recovery. Community support programs are necessary for successful reintegration. Families need to be educated on alternative recovery methods. Ending conversations with love can provide peace in difficult situations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Addiction and Recovery 05:20 The Role of Sober Homes in Recovery 11:12 Medicated Assisted Treatment and Its Importance 17:00 The Need for Employment and Housing Support 22:32 Hope and Compassion in Recovery 28:35 Conclusion and Call to Action Here is the book link for Rehab: An American Scandal Brandi Mac's book is available Here Resources: brandimac.com Follow Brandi Mac on social media: Instagram the_original_brandi_mac TikTok the_original_brandi_mac YouTube  

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• When Boundaries Feel Impossible: What Families Deserve to Hear

  Summary In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of loving someone struggling with addiction, focusing on the importance of setting and adjusting boundaries. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to navigate toxic relationships, the evolution of boundaries over time, and the significance of self-reflection and communication. Brandi emphasizes that while tough love is often advocated, it is not the only approach to support a loved one in recovery. The conversation highlights the need for protective boundaries, the role of love in setting limits, and practical ways to show care without compromising one's own well-being. Takeaways Loving someone with addiction is a painful journey. Boundaries are essential for protecting mental health. It's okay to adjust boundaries as situations change. Tough love can sometimes do more harm than good. Self-reflection is crucial in navigating relationships. You can show love without enabling harmful behaviors. Communicating boundaries clearly is vital. Consequences for violating boundaries must be established. Creating a safe space is a priority for families. Everyone deserves compassion, even those struggling with addiction.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Boundaries in Family Dynamics 02:19 Understanding Boundaries in Addiction 05:06 Types of Boundaries: Controlling vs. Protective 07:50 The Pain of Setting Boundaries 10:28 Navigating Toxic Relationships 13:04 Consequences of Violating Boundaries 15:14 Creating Healthy Boundaries 17:38 The Role of Love in Setting Boundaries 20:31 Communicating Boundaries Effectively 23:05 Supporting Loved Ones in Addiction 25:19 The Impact of Addiction on Family Dynamics 28:02 Finding Peace Through Boundaries 30:20 Conclusion and Future Directions Purchase Book Here: Do What You Can Live: A Survival Guide for Families Navigating Addiction, Grief and Impossible Choices Resources: Here

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• When Boundaries Feel Impossible: What Families Deserve to Hear

  Summary In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of loving someone struggling with addiction, focusing on the importance of setting and maintaining boundaries. She shares personal experiences and insights on how boundaries can evolve over time, the difference between controlling and protective boundaries, and the necessity of self-care for family members. Brandi emphasizes the need for open communication and the challenges of navigating toxic relationships while still showing love and support. The conversation highlights the emotional turmoil faced by families and offers practical advice for creating a safe and healthy environment. Takeaways Loving someone with addiction is a painful journey. Boundaries are essential for protecting mental health. It's important to differentiate between controlling and protective boundaries. Communication is key in maintaining healthy relationships. You can show love without enabling harmful behaviors. Setting boundaries can lead to personal growth and resilience. It's okay to adjust boundaries as situations change. Self-care is crucial for family members of addicts. Consequences for violating boundaries must be clear and enforced. Finding peace amidst chaos is possible with the right boundaries. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Boundaries in Family Dynamics 02:19 Understanding Boundaries in Addiction 05:06 Types of Boundaries: Controlling vs. Protective 08:17 The Pain of Setting Boundaries 10:57 Navigating Toxic Relationships 13:50 Consequences of Violating Boundaries 16:41 Creating Healthy Boundaries 19:32 The Role of Love in Setting Boundaries 22:35 Communicating Boundaries Effectively 25:15 Supporting Loved Ones in Addiction 28:12 The Impact of Addiction on Family Dynamics 31:07 Finding Peace Through Boundaries 33:55 Conclusion and Future Directions Purchase: Do What You Can Live With: A Survival Guide for Families Navigating Addiction, Grief, and Impossible Choices Resources: Brandimac.com Brandi Mac's Substack

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