#131: Loving a Child Through Addiction Without Losing Yourself with Donna Marston

Donna Marston is a speaker, author, Family Recovery Support Specialist, Certified Recovery Support Worker, Harm Reduction Trainer, and founder of Sharing With Out Shame®. She is also a wife and mother of two adult sons, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to her work with families affected by addiction. For years, Donna tried to rescue, control, and protect her son. Eventually, she learned that love alone was not enough. She had to learn how to set boundaries, stop unhealthy helping, and take responsibility for her own healing — without guilt or shame. Today, Donna guides parents who feel overwhelmed and unsure whether the way they are responding is supportive or unintentionally harmful. Through workshops, courses, private sessions, books, and the Sharing With Out Shame® podcast, she provides parents with practical tools to regain balance—even when their child is not ready to change. Topics explored in this episode: How to respond instead of react The importance of self-care Harm reduction Misconceptions about how to support someone through addiction How to establish healthy boundaries Talking at versus talking with Navigating the early stages of recovery Spirituality To learn more about Donna's support services, visit the Sharing Without Shame website: https://sharingwithoutshame.com/ _ SUN & MOON SOBER LIVING: Access a free mindfulness meditation guided by Mary Tilson to help manage cravings and regulate emotions: https://pages.sunandmoonsoberliving.com/easemeditation Follow along on Instagram: @sunandmoon.soberliving  ___ Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.