Do What You Can Live With: Navigating Through Addiction and Recovery – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I talk about the moment I finally let go of trying to control my daughter's addiction and what radical acceptance looked like in real life. I share how fear was running my parenting, how close I came to losing myself completely, and how surrendering shifted our entire relationship.

I also share a story from yesterday that still feels unreal: taking my daughter — almost two years in recovery — and her children to the Magic Kingdom. Watching her run around with her son, sober and present, reminded me why letting go mattered more than forcing my plans onto her.

If you are drowning right now, scared of losing your child, or feel like you can't survive another day of chaos, this episode is for you.

• Parenting from fear vs clarity

• The breaking point that forced me to surrender

• What radical acceptance actually looks like

• Why bringing up rehab every day made things worse

• How I stopped reacting and started listening

• Letting go of the fantasy timeline of recovery

• Why self-abandonment is so common in parents

• How I rebuilt trust with my daughter

• A real exercise you can do tonight to start shifting your own patterns

My book: Do What You Can Live With
Amazon link: https://a.co/d/1pnyKll

Free resources for families: brandimac.com

Share your story or ask a question:
Email: brandi@brandimac.com

YouTube video of this episode:
Here

Please leave a rating or review. It helps other families find this support when they're searching in the darkest moments.

Keywords

recovery, addiction, advocacy, community, personal growth, storytelling, resilience, Kensington, self-care, support

Summary

In this episode, Brandi Mac shares personal updates about her family, including her daughter's recovery journey and her own struggles with work-life balance. She discusses her advocacy efforts, including a recent event called Rise for Recovery, where she engaged with other advocates and learned about impactful stories of resilience. Brandi reflects on her experiences in Kensington, a community facing significant challenges due to addiction, and emphasizes the importance of community support and outreach. She concludes with a call to action for listeners to contribute to their communities and support those in need.

Takeaways

Brandi's daughter is nearing two years in recovery.
She is focusing more on advocacy and less on hospital work.
The Rise for Recovery event was a transformative experience.
Storytelling is a powerful tool in advocacy.
Kensington is a community deeply affected by addiction.
Brandi emphasizes the importance of self-care.
Community outreach is crucial in addressing addiction.
Brandi's book aims to support families dealing with addiction.
It's okay to find joy amidst pain and struggle.
Everyone can contribute to their community in meaningful ways.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back and Personal Updates
05:27 Advocacy and Community Engagement
11:32 Storytelling and Collaboration in Advocacy
16:36 Impactful Stories from the Summit
21:14 Kensington Experience and Observations
26:03 Navigating Advocacy and Community Challenges
31:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Brandi's Book "Do What You Can Live With: A Survival Guide for Families Navigating Addiction, Grief and Impossible Choices" HERE

Please send emails that I can share. Send anything, but I really want to know whats the craziest thing you have done as loved one through their addiction? 

Email: brandi@brandimac.com

https://www.brandimac.com/

This episode I talk about what it was like having our daughter in active drug use home for Thanksgiving for the first time in 5 years. The day even included family pictures. Those who may be new here my daughter is 23 and struggles substance use disorder. She is an IV drug user and we have been raising our grandson since his first birthday. I also talk about the potential for opening a treatment facility. 

Thank you for listening and please download and leave a review so we can get this episode out to more people. 

Many have seen the drama on social media when it comes to Sam and I. He not only made a 1 sided podcast but also went live last night sharing a 1 sided view. Hopefully this will answer some of the questions many of you have had. 

If you want to learn more about the story there is a playlist called "Sam Davis and Marc" on my Tiktok profile when this all started. 

Brandi Mac Tiktok TikTok Link

This week another mom who has shared her daughters struggles with addiction has experienced the call so many of us fear. Her 20 year old daughter lost her battle to addiction. Please pray for Melissa and the rest of her family grieving the loss of Angel. 

Melissa's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.real.melissa

Brandi Mac's TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@the_original_brandi_mac

Go fund me Go fund me for funeral expenses

This episode features an interview with Dr. Stacy Murphy who owns Navigating Addiction which provides family education for treatment centers. Stacy also know what its like love a child with substance use disorder. Her daughter has 11 years of sobriety and understands the struggles that many of us go through. 

If you love the podcast please leave a review and follow!

Dr. Stacy Murphy Navigating Addiction

Dr. Stacy Murphy TikTok

If you are in need of resources check out The Apathetic Journey

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You can follow all of Brandi Mac's social media accounts at Brandi Mac's Website

Recovery and Awareness shirts Stop The Stigma Apparel

This episode is going to discuss what a bodybroker is, kickbacks, how the affordable care act contributed to many rehab facilities becoming the new "pill mill" following the oxycontin epidemic.  I am sure there are some amazing rehabs but sadly it's impossible to determine which ones those are.

If you have been impacted by the "Florida Shuffle" or had an experience with a "body broker" I would love to hear your story!!!

Article: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/owner-sentenced-more-27-years-prison-multi-million-dollar-health-care-fraud-and-money

PBS: https://www.pbs.org/video/sci-body-brokering-rampant-in-addiction-rehab-industry-1665520234/

Body Brokers Movie: Body Brokers Movie

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As always I appreciate all of your reviews which will start being shared in the monthly newsletter.

Brandi Mac TikTok: Brandi Mac TikTok

Email the podcast @ collateraldamagesucks@gmail.com

Sponsor: The Apathetic Journey- All Things Addiction for families

How we got our grandson

AA/NA online meetings: https://aa-intergroup.org/meetings/

Smart Recovery: https://meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/

Brandi Mac TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_original_brandi_mac

Interested in being on the podcast? Email us @ collateraldamagesucks@gmail.com

Join email list to be notified when a new episode drops @https://collateral-damage-podcast-with-brandi-mac.ck.page/f6a9af5a50

This is "Rambling with Brandi Mac." I am going to warn you now...there is background noise from the car, but my portable mic should arrive soon decreasing the background noise for future episodes.

 This episode includes some bread crumbs on the TikTok creator being interviewed for our first interview series. I talk about being naive in the beginning of this journey #motherofanaddict, when some in the harm reduction tried to cancel me. Also end the show with some honest and truthful advice. 

Thank you to each of you who have followed my podcast, we are in the top 100 on Apple for mental health in the US. 

Alanon link: Al-anon meetings

What I am currently reading :How to Change your mind by Michael Pollan

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_original_brandi_mac

If you are interested in being on the show please email the show at:

collateraldamagesucks@gmail.com

I am looking for those in recovery, loved ones, those in active use, therapists, rehab owners and any other area that involves addiction and recovery. 

Have you ever loved someone with substance use disorder and felt alone? Are you currently using or in recovery and feel like your family lacks understanding? Yea well welcome to my f$cking life! I'm Brandi Mac and my daughter battles addiction and her family? Well we are collateral damage and frankly it sucks. This podcast will cover all aspects of addiction with interviews of those in recovery, active use and family members. We will explore the good and bad of the treatment industry, harm reduction, medicated assisted treatment (MAT) and boundaries.

Follow me on TikTok: Brandi Mac's TikTok

Instagram: Brandi Mac's Instagram