Healing Families Shattered by Addiction

Di McQueen and Dr. Brian Jackson
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Do you have a family member who is affected by addiction? Meet Di McQueen and Dr. Brian Jackson who can help you work through the fear and uncertainty that you and your family are facing. Within each episode you will learn specific tools and techniques to help you cope with a family member who is in the throes of their addiction. We are here to help heal families that are shattered by addiction here on the podcast and within our coaching program.

  1. JAN 22

    Family Burnout in the Shadow of Addiction

    If you feel tired in a way that rest doesn't touch… If your life has slowly narrowed around someone else's struggle… If you don't even recognize who you are anymore — This episode is for you. We're talking about the kind of burnout that doesn't come from doing too much… but from loving someone through addiction for too long. Listen in if something feels off — even if you can't quite name it yet. For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️

    19 min

  2. JAN 8

    Dry January & the Quiet Shift Happening in 2026

    What if giving up alcohol for one month wasn't about discipline… but about discovering what's been numbing, draining, or quietly holding you back? As 2026 begins, this episode explores Dry January, the rise of sober curiosity, and the subtle cultural shift that's changing how people think about drinking — especially within families impacted by addiction. This conversation digs into: Why saying "no" to alcohol can feel harder than expected What happens when routine drinking disappears — physically and emotionally How one month can expose habits, pressures, and truths we rarely question And why more people are choosing clarity, health, and presence over "just one drink" No ultimatums. No shame. No all-or-nothing thinking. Just an honest look at what alcohol gives — and what it takes. If you've ever wondered why drinking feels normal, but not always right, this episode might change how you see January — and maybe the year ahead. For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️

    30 min

  3. 11/04/2025

    Divorce, Custody, and Addiction: Protecting Kids Through the Process with Family and Marital Law Expert, Jay Henderlite

    What happens to children caught in the middle when addiction tears a family apart? This episode explores the intersection of family law and addiction with guest Attorney Jay Henderlite, a board-certified family and marital law expert. This honest conversation focuses on  navigating divorce and custody battles when substance use is involved. From supervised visitation and step-up parenting plans to understanding "loyalty bind" and why kids aren't trophies, this episode breaks down how to protect children while supporting recovery. Learn what really happens in family court, why emotions need to cool before making decisions, and how to avoid common mistakes that hurt kids most. Whether you're facing this situation yourself or helping someone through it, you'll get practical insights on one of life's toughest transitions.   For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️

    55 min

  4. 09/22/2025

    Recovery is Real: Restoring Every Aspect of Life

    What does it really mean to rebuild your life in recovery? September marks National Recovery Month, and this year's theme Recovery is Real: Restoring Every Aspect of Life — reminds us that healing goes far beyond putting substances down. Recovery means reclaiming your health, creating a safe and stable home, surrounding yourself with supportive community, and rediscovering a sense of purpose that lights you up again. In this conversation, we unpack each of these pillars and share why they're not only essential to staying sober, but to living a life that feels whole and worth celebrating.   For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️

    23 min

  5. 05/20/2025

    What is Addiction?

    Is someone you love struggling with addiction? In this powerful episode, Dr. Brian Jackson reveals how addiction hijacks not just the user's brain but the entire family system. Family members often fall into roles like the Enabler, the Hero, or the Lost Child while riding an emotional roller coaster of fear, guilt, and helplessness. Dr. Jackson offers hope by explaining that recovery begins when you focus on your own wellbeing and set healthy boundaries. Remember: "Addiction is a family disease, but recovery can be a family journey. For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️ If someone you know is struggling with alcohol or other addiction and is searching for help themselves, direct them to our sponsors at Lakeview Health. For more information or to inquire about treatment, visit https://www.lakeviewhealth.com/ or call 904-406-7426

    29 min

  6. 04/22/2025

    The 7 Family Roles in Addiction: How to Recognize, Heal, and Break the Cycle of Dysfunction

    What invisible role do you play in your family's addiction story? This eye-opening episode explores how everyone in a family adopts unconscious roles when addiction enters the home. Our hosts candidly share their personal experiences, from exhausting themselves as peacekeepers to using humor as emotional armor. They reveal how these protective patterns ultimately lead to disconnection from our authentic selves. The conversation offers hope by showing that awareness is the first step toward healing. With proper support, family members can break free from these roles, establish healthy boundaries, and rediscover who they truly are beyond the shadow of addiction.   For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️ If someone you know is struggling with alcohol or other addiction and is searching for help themselves, direct them to our sponsors at Lakeview Health. For more information or to inquire about treatment, visit https://www.lakeviewhealth.com/ or call 904-406-7426

    29 min

  7. 04/08/2025

    Do They Really Need to Hit Rock Bottom?

    A revealing exploration of the common belief that people with addiction must "hit rock bottom" before they can recover. This episode challenges that notion, offering a different perspective: rock bottom is simply when someone decides to stop digging. We discuss the consequences along the addiction "elevator ride down," how to recognize opportunities for intervention, and the delicate balance between supporting recovery and enabling addiction. Learn practical guidance on setting healthy boundaries without abandoning compassion, how to detach with love, and why your happiness shouldn't be contingent on someone else's recovery. Whether you're financially supporting a loved one or emotionally intertwined with their struggles, this conversation provides clarity on when helping actually hurts. For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️ If someone you know is struggling with alcohol or other addiction and is searching for help themselves, direct them to our sponsors at Lakeview Health. For more information or to inquire about treatment, visit https://www.lakeviewhealth.com/ or call 904-406-7426

    30 min

  8. 03/25/2025

    Understanding Multiple Relapses: Compassion Without Judgment

    A powerful exploration of the challenging reality of relapse in addiction recovery and why judgment has no place in someone's healing journey. We discuss why some people struggle more than others with sobriety, how trauma impacts recovery differently for everyone, and finding the delicate balance between compassion and boundaries. There's no "cookie-cutter" approach to healing – each person's path unfolds at its own pace. Whether you're supporting a loved one or walking your own recovery path, learn why compassion, not criticism, is what truly helps someone heal. For additional information on this topic, visit our free resource library and receive free downloadable materials to help you and your family navigate through addiction: https://www.familyandaddictionexperts.com/resources Are you suffering from the pain of trying to fix the loved one who is addicted? Are you obsessed with the chaos and fear of your addicted loved one not changing? Learn how to detach from family addiction, cope, and thrive in spite of its impact on you through our coaching program.  ➡️ Schedule a free 30 minute consultation here. ⬅️ If someone you know is struggling with alcohol or other addiction and is searching for help themselves, direct them to our sponsors at Lakeview Health. For more information or to inquire about treatment, visit https://www.lakeviewhealth.com/ or call 904-406-7426

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
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5 Ratings

About

Do you have a family member who is affected by addiction? Meet Di McQueen and Dr. Brian Jackson who can help you work through the fear and uncertainty that you and your family are facing. Within each episode you will learn specific tools and techniques to help you cope with a family member who is in the throes of their addiction. We are here to help heal families that are shattered by addiction here on the podcast and within our coaching program.

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