The Hidden Roots of Addiction and the Power of a Parent's Recovery

Thrive While Loving an Addict | Addiction | Sobriety | Recovery | Relapse

In this deeply moving episode, host KL Wells is joined by Dr. Janelle Martin, a functional medicine doctor and counselor from Houston. Dr. Martin shares the raw and transformative story of her daughter's journey through addiction and her own parallel path to recovery. She opens up about the hidden family traumas—divorce, parental alienation, and abuse—that served as the backdrop for her daughter's substance use, which began as a way to numb immense pain. Dr. Martin recounts the heart-wrenching moment of discovery, the difficult decisions that followed, and the critical importance of finding the right support for both her daughter and herself. This conversation is a powerful testament to the strength found in community, the healing that comes from vulnerability, and the profound truth that a parent's recovery is a crucial, independent journey that can change everything.

Key Discussion Points

• The profound impact of childhood trauma, divorce, and parental alienation on a child's vulnerability to addiction.
• The slow, painful, and often-denied process of a parent realizing their child is using drugs.
• The crisis point that forces a parent to set firm boundaries and seek external help.
• Navigating the overwhelming process of finding an effective treatment program for an adolescent.
• The life-changing discovery of community and the critical role of parent support groups.
• How the 12-step program became a transformative gift for a parent, helping her heal and grow.
• The process of rebuilding a mother-daughter relationship from the ground up through honesty, vulnerability, and shared recovery.
• The journey of co-authoring a book, Losing Her, Finding Us, to share both the mother's and daughter's perspectives.

Some Questions I Ask:

• When did the light bulb go off for you that you had your own recovery in this?
• Can you tell us about how your book, co-authored with your daughter, came to be?
• What are the top non-negotiable things you do to take care of yourself?

In This Episode, You Will Learn

• How hidden family trauma can be a significant root cause of addiction.
• Why a parent's own recovery journey is essential, regardless of their child's choices.
• That finding a community of peers is "mission critical" for parents navigating a child's addiction.
• How the 12-step process can be a powerful tool for personal transformation for anyone.
• That it is possible to rebuild a deep, meaningful relationship with a child in recovery.
• The power of sharing your story to break through shame and offer a lifeline to others.

Resources

• Guest Website & Book: Learn more about Dr. Janelle Martin and her daughter's story, and order their book, Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, A Daughter’s Journey, and The Road to Recovery, at ourbeautifulrecovery.com
• Dr. Martin's Practice: Discover the work Dr. Martin does with brain health and neurofeedback at the TMC Brain Health Center in Houston: tmcbrainhealthcenter.com
• Community Support: Find a local meeting for support and connection:
• Al-Anon Family Groups
• Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL)