Inside The Mind Of An Addict

Amber Hollingsworth
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Master Addiction Counselor Amber Hollingsworth teaches you how to recover your loved one from addiction. You'll discover the secret to breaking through denial, finding your loved one's motivation, and helping them get their life back on track. New episodes are released every Thursday. For Additional Information and Resources visit our website: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/

  1. How to Maintain Hope During a Relapse

    3D AGO

    How to Maintain Hope During a Relapse

    How to Maintain Hope During Relapse Without Losing Progress Relapse can feel like everything has fallen apart—but it doesn’t mean recovery has failed. In this episode, we break down how to maintain hope during relapse without reacting in ways that create more shame, panic, or disconnection. Whether it’s a substance relapse or a relationship relapse, setbacks don’t erase the progress that’s already been made. You’ll learn why clean time still matters, even after a slip, and how relapse often provides critical information that helps move someone closer to lasting change. We explore how tying hope to perfection keeps people stuck, while tying hope to progress allows recovery to continue—even through setbacks. This episode also explains why bargaining, slips, and temporary returns to old behaviors are often part of the acceptance process, not the end of it. When handled correctly, relapse can become a turning point that strengthens both recovery and relationships. If you love someone struggling with addiction—or you’re navigating relapse yourself—this episode will help you stay grounded, protect your influence, and focus on long-term progress instead of short-term perfection. Helpful Resources: Apply for 1-on-1 Recovery Coaching https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/strengths-based-assessment  Learn More About Amber AI (24/7 Recovery Support) https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/24-7-coaching-with-amber-ai  For Families with Loved Ones in Denial https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/masterclass  Free Recovery Resources and Tools https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources

    14 min
  2. Why Hating Yourself Won't Make You Sober

    FEB 11

    Why Hating Yourself Won't Make You Sober

    Why Shame Keeps You Stuck in the Drinking Cycle (And What Actually Creates Change) You’ve probably heard that real change only happens after you hit rock bottom—that you have to feel enough shame and disgust with yourself to finally stop drinking. But what if that belief is actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, we challenge the idea that shame motivates recovery and explain how it often fuels the very cycle you're trying to escape. We break down the powerful psychological pattern known as the Drama Triangle, and how it keeps people trapped in cycles of self-blame, emotional pain, and substance use. When you drink, shame follows. That shame leads to self-hate. And self-hate creates the emotional discomfort that makes you want relief—often through drinking again. It becomes a self-perpetuating loop that has nothing to do with willpower and everything to do with identity. This episode explains why lasting recovery isn’t about forcing yourself to stop through guilt or discipline. Instead, it’s about stepping off the Drama Triangle entirely and becoming someone who no longer needs that cycle to cope, escape, or define themselves. Real change happens when you shift how you see yourself—not when you try to punish yourself into being different. If you’re ready to move beyond shame-based motivation and explore a strengths-based, identity-driven approach to recovery, this episode will show you a new path forward—one rooted in self-understanding, emotional freedom, and sustainable change. Resources and Support: Apply for 1-on-1 Recovery Coaching: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/strengths-based-assessment  Learn More About Amber AI Coaching: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/24-7-coaching-with-amber-ai  Motivation Support for Families in Denial: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/motivation-unlocked-challenge  If you’re tired of the shame cycle and ready for a different approach, this episode offers a powerful framework for real, lasting transformation.

    38 min
  3. Stop Feeling Frustrated While Living With Addiction

    FEB 6

    Stop Feeling Frustrated While Living With Addiction

    Living with someone who struggles with addiction can quietly pull you into a nonstop state of exhaustion. You may find yourself overthinking every decision, overperforming to keep the peace, fixing problems that aren’t yours to fix, and absorbing emotional fallout that was never meant to be yours. In this episode, we talk about how to move out of that draining cycle and into assurance—the kind of confidence that comes from knowing what’s yours to carry, what isn’t, and why doing less for the person with addiction can actually bring more peace to your own life. You’ll learn: Why family members so often blame themselves for addiction How overfunctioning increases anxiety and resentment What you may be doing that’s keeping you stuck and frustrated How shifting your role can bring clarity, calm, and emotional relief This conversation is about helping you feel steadier, clearer, and more grounded—regardless of what your loved one chooses to do next. Helpful Resources Mentioned in This Episode Beyond Boundaries: Self-Paced Online Course Learn how to set healthy boundaries that protect your well-being while still supporting recovery. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/beyond-boundaries-1  Advanced Skills Membership Get access to live coaching calls, advanced training, and a supportive community navigating addiction recovery together. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/hff-membership  Free Downloadable Resources Practical tools and guides to help you manage addiction challenges in your family. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources  Rapid Relationship Repair Rebuild trust and connection during early recovery with this focused online course. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/rapid-relationship-repair  Make an Appointment with a Specialist Receive personalized guidance from an addiction recovery expert. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/consultations  Invisible Intervention Online Course Learn how to guide your loved one from denial to recovery—without ultimatums, confrontation, or damaging trust. 👉 https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/invisible-intervention  If you’ve been carrying too much for too long, this episode will help you understand why—and what it looks like to finally put some of that weight down.

    20 min
  4. Your Partner Isn't Nagging, They're Terrified

    JAN 21

    Your Partner Isn't Nagging, They're Terrified

    Is Your Partner “Nagging” About Your Drinking — Or Are They Afraid? When your spouse keeps asking about your drinking, checking in, or reminding you to slow down, it’s easy to label it as nagging, control, or criticism. But in this episode, we uncover what’s really happening beneath the surface — and why this pattern is far more about fear than control. In this powerful conversation, we explore how a partner’s repeated questioning around alcohol is often a trauma response formed over time. Broken promises, unpredictable behavior, and emotional instability create a constant state of anxiety, and what looks like nagging is actually an attempt to feel safe again. You’ll learn: Why “nagging” is often a trauma response, not manipulation The specific fears driving your partner’s behavior — and why they intensify over time How dismissing concerns as nagging keeps both partners stuck in a painful cycle What your partner is really afraid of — and why they can’t just “relax” How understanding this dynamic can completely change how you respond This episode isn’t about shaming or guilt. It’s about clarity. When you understand what your partner is truly experiencing, you can make more informed choices about your drinking, your relationship, and your future. And if you’re the partner who feels like you’re always watching, waiting, and worrying: you’re not crazy, you’re not overreacting, and you’re not alone. 🎧 Ready to go deeper?Join our Denial Breakthrough Challenge and start breaking the cycle:https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/motivation-unlocked-challenge

    26 min
  5. Why You Keep Breaking Promises To Yourself

    JAN 14

    Why You Keep Breaking Promises To Yourself

    You’re Not Weak — You’re Using the Wrong Strategy If you’ve ever told yourself “this is the last time”… and then found yourself right back in the same cycle, this episode is for you. Broken promises aren’t a character flaw. They’re not a lack of willpower. And they’re definitely not proof that you don’t care enough. In this episode, we unpack why promises made in calm moments almost always fall apart when your nervous system is activated—and what actually works instead. Whether you’re struggling with addiction yourself or trying desperately to help someone you love, this conversation will help you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface and how to break the cycle for good. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why promises made in a regulated state are nearly impossible to keep in an activated one The neuroscience behind why “trying harder” doesn’t work (and what does) Three practical strategies that help you keep promises in real-life moments Real examples from both perspectives—the person struggling with addiction and the family member caught in the fallout This isn’t about shame. It’s about strategy, safety, and working with your nervous system instead of against it. 🎯 READY TO BREAK THE CYCLE?Join me for the Denial Breakthrough Challenge, a live coaching experience designed to help you stop repeating the same patterns and start creating real change. In this live event, you’ll: Identify your specific pattern that keeps you stuck Build bridge strategies for your personal triggers Create a plan that actually works in the moment, not just in theory This isn’t generic advice. This is personalized coaching for your situation. 👉 Register here:https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/motivation-unlocked-challenge

    26 min
  6. Plan Ahead for What's AFTER Treatment - So You're Not Sorry

    12/24/2025

    Plan Ahead for What's AFTER Treatment - So You're Not Sorry

    Getting a loved one into treatment often feels like the finish line—but it’s actually just the beginning. In this episode, we break down why treatment alone is not the goal. Sobriety and long-term recovery are. Using a powerful lunar module metaphor, we explain why detox and a 30-day program can’t carry someone all the way to lasting change—and what must be in place after traditional treatment for recovery to truly stick. We talk through the critical gap families fall into once treatment ends, why things often unravel at home, and how lack of post-treatment planning quietly sets people up to fail. If you’re afraid to “rock the boat,” unsure what accountability should look like, or exhausted from holding everything together, this conversation helps you zoom out, think strategically, and build a recovery plan that actually lasts. Resources mentioned in this episode: High-Functioning Families Membership:https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/hff-membership One-on-One Consultations:https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/consultations Beyond Boundaries Program:https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/beyond-boundaries-1 This episode is for families who don’t just want someone to complete treatment—but want real, sustainable recovery on the other side.

    26 min
  7. How Functional Alcoholics Rebuild Trust (Without Rehab)

    12/17/2025

    How Functional Alcoholics Rebuild Trust (Without Rehab)

    Trust doesn’t come back through treatment, promises, or apologies—it comes back through proof. If you’re a functional alcoholic trying to rebuild trust with your family, or you’re living with someone whose drinking has damaged trust, this episode is for you. In this live stream, Amber breaks down why saying “just trust me” rarely works after broken promises—and what actually helps families start to feel safe again. You’ll learn the critical difference between accountability and surveillance, and why confusing the two often keeps families stuck in conflict. This episode also explores practical, real-world tools for high-functioning people with drinking problems, including how to demonstrate sobriety without rehab or AA, and what families need to see—not just hear—before trust can begin to rebuild. This video is sponsored by Soberlink, a remote alcohol monitoring system designed to rebuild trust through accountability rather than policing. Learn more at: https://www.soberlink.com/amber  Free Resources 📊 Free Self-Assessments (boundaries, communication, addiction severity, relapse triggers): https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/self-assessments  📥 Free Downloadable Recovery Resources: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/free-resources  👥 Free Facebook Support Group for Families: https://www.facebook.com/groups/familyrecoverysupport  Work With Us 🎯 1-on-1 Recovery Coaching with Amber: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/strengths-based-assessment  👨‍👩‍👧 Advanced Skills Group Coaching for Family Members (led by Kim & Campbell): https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/hff-membership  💡 Motivation Unlocked Challenge (for partners of functional alcoholics in denial): https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/motivation-unlocked-challenge  📅 Book a Consultation with Our Specialists: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/consultations

    45 min
  8. The Addiction Lies You are Told

    12/10/2025

    The Addiction Lies You are Told

    In this episode, we’re diving into the wild, confusing, head-spinning stories we hear from clients every single day—and how they connect directly to the lies and mixed messages addiction feeds families. If you’ve ever thought, “This just doesn’t add up,” you’re not wrong. Addiction creates chaos. It scrambles logic, twists timelines, and leaves loved ones feeling confused or blindsided. But there are patterns. We break down the most common “schemes” addiction uses—things like: Deflecting and redirecting Emotional baiting Fake promises and temporary “turnarounds.” Minimizing or rewriting events Most of these behaviors aren’t intentional manipulation—they’re survival strategies that keep the addiction cycle going. Once you can see the pattern, you can finally respond from a place of clarity instead of panic. If you’re tired of feeling confused or constantly second-guessing yourself, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on and how to move forward with confidence and calm. Additional Resources ☑️ Work 1:1 With a Specialist https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/consultations  ☑️ Beyond Boundaries: Learn How to Set Limits That Actually Hold https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/beyond-boundaries-1

    31 min
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4.8
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

Master Addiction Counselor Amber Hollingsworth teaches you how to recover your loved one from addiction. You'll discover the secret to breaking through denial, finding your loved one's motivation, and helping them get their life back on track. New episodes are released every Thursday. For Additional Information and Resources visit our website: https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/

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