7. Loving Through Substance Misuse: A Mother's Journey of Radical Acceptance

On Navigating the Abyss: Parenting Alchemy for Kids in Crisis

Fear grips you when your child overdoses. The nightmare every parent dreads becomes reality, and suddenly every moment feels like walking on a tightrope across an abyss.
In this deeply personal conversation, Catherine courageously shares her ongoing journey supporting her 18-year-old daughter through addiction and substance misuse, including a recent overdose that required Narcan intervention. She doesn't speak from the comfortable distance of hindsight but from the raw, vulnerable center of the storm.
What do you do when your child is an adult making choices that could kill them? How do you maintain boundaries while respecting their autonomy? Catherine explores how she's learning to process overwhelming fear rather than suppressing it, discovering that allowing herself to emotionally "collapse" actually strengthens her connection to inner wisdom. She discusses the delicate balance of establishing necessary boundaries around money and household expectations while avoiding the trap of trying to control her daughter's choices.
Perhaps most powerfully, Catherine reveals how she practices radical acceptance—embracing her current reality without resistance—while simultaneously holding a vision of her daughter's healing and possibility. This dual perspective allows her to stay present and connected while maintaining hope for the future.
For anyone supporting a loved one through addiction, mental health struggles, or other challenging circumstances, Catherine's reflections offer a compassionate roadmap for navigating seemingly impossible terrain with both love and boundaries intact. Her story reminds us that sometimes our greatest strength emerges when we surrender the illusion of control and embrace the fullness of our human experience—including our deepest fears.
Listen in, and perhaps discover that even in your darkest parenting moments, you're not as alone as you might feel.

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

[email protected]

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

[email protected]

Resources:
- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)
Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

Chapters

1. Welcome to Navigating the Abyss (00:00:00)

2. Catherine's Daughter's Overdose Experience (00:01:04)

3. Managing Parental Fear and Emotions (00:04:45)

4. The Challenge of Boundaries (00:08:45)

5. Radical Acceptance and Holding Possibility (00:15:15)

6. Closing Thoughts and Legal Disclaimer (00:19:55)