About this episode

Heather Ross discusses the three powerful forces keeping families stuck in hopelessness regarding their child's addiction.

Have you ever thought, "I've tried everything and nothing works?" If you're parenting a child struggling with addiction, that belief probably feels true. You've read books. Listened to podcasts. Gone to meetings. Tried boundaries, consequences, conversations, and prayers. Yet nothing seems to create lasting change. In this episode, Heather explores three powerful forces that quietly keep families stuck: • Stigma and isolation • The belief that you've already tried everything • The idea that your child must change before your life can get better Heather explains how these beliefs reinforce each other, creating a cycle of hopelessness and powerlessness that affects both parents and children. Drawing from her own experience as a mother and recovery coach, she shares why many parents get stuck as they're trying to navigate an incredibly difficult situation without the support, perspective, and skills needed to sustain change. You'll also learn: • How addiction stigma affects both parents and children • How isolation makes change harder • Why small improvements matter more than dramatic breakthroughs • The science behind how a parent's emotional regulation influences…

People in this episode

Host: Heather Ross

Topics covered

• addiction
• parenting
• mental health
• stigma
• isolation
• emotional regulation

Keywords

• addiction
• parenting
• stigma
• isolation
• emotional regulation
• CRAFT
• change

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• EP 136 A Mother & Son's Journey Back To Connection with Paula Browne Stumph - Recovery Through Relationship Series · July 3, 2026 · 50 min

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