Families, Trauma, and Addiction 102

In this eye-opening continuation of the conversation from Episode 1, Dr. Mike Barnes takes us beneath the surface to explore how addiction doesn’t just impact the individual—it shakes the entire family system to its core.

Drawing from years of research, clinical experience, and deeply personal stories, Dr. Barnes examines the powerful concept of secondary and systemic trauma, revealing how families often develop survival strategies that—while well-intentioned—can perpetuate dysfunction and pain.

In this episode:

• What secondary trauma looks like in families of individuals with addiction
• The emotional toll of hypervigilance, shame, guilt, and grief
• The impact of transgenerational trauma and how the past echoes into the present
• How family roles, routines, and boundaries shift—and sometimes fracture—under pressure
• Why “enabling” is often a misunderstood trauma response, not a flaw in character
• How to begin shifting from a crisis mindset toward a healing, recovery-focused lens

Dr. Barnes also shares data from real families—95% of whom described living with a loved one’s addiction as traumatizing—and offers insights into how recovery for families isn’t about returning to the old “normal.” It’s about creating a newer, healthier normal grounded in awareness, support, and resilience.

🧠 Packed with validation, truth, and hope—this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the complexities of family recovery.