Do What You Can Live With: Navigating Through Addiction & Recovery

Do What You Can Live With: Navigating Through Addiction & Recovery

Do what you can live with: Navigating Through Addiction and Recovery is a podcast that shares the struggles of loving someone with substance use disorder, and explores harm reduction and the lived experiences of those in recovery. Hosted by Brandi Mac, a critical care nurse practitioner, and mother of an adult daughter with substance use disorder. Each episode provides raw and real lived experience and the struggles we face as loved ones of people who use drugs, the stigma surrounding addiction, harm reduction and the impact generational trauma has on each of us.

Episodes

November 19, 2025 35 mins

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: ...

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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...

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September 3, 2025 26 mins

In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of addiction and recovery, emphasizing the broken treatment system, the importance of sober homes, and the need for medicated assisted treatment. She shares personal experiences related to her daughter's recovery from addiction and highlights the significance of hope, compassion, and community support in the recovery process. Brandi advocates for better treatment options and th...

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Summary

In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses the complexities of loving someone struggling with addiction, focusing on the importance of setting and adjusting boundaries. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to navigate toxic relationships, the evolution of boundaries over time, and the significance of self-reflection and communication. Brandi emphasizes that while tough love is often advocated, it is not the only a...

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In this raw and personal episode, Brandi Mac shares what happened when she stopped following the "tough love" narrative and started doing what she could actually live with. From the heartbreak of watching her daughter struggle with addiction to the moment she shaved her head as an act of surrender, Brandi reflects on how peace came not from control, but from radical acceptance.

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Summary: In this episode, Brandi Mac discusses her daughter Brooke's journey to sobriety, reflecting on the challenges of addiction, the impact on family relationships, and the importance of appropriate...
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    Summary:
    In this conversation, Dr. Taylor Nichols discusses his journey from emergency medicine to addiction medicine, emphasizing the ...
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    Summary

    Brandi Mac discusses her journey as a mother of a child with substance use disorder and her own healing process. She talks about the challenges of navigating her daughter's recovery and the impact it has had on their relationship. Brandi also shares her experience with perimenopause and the importance of addressing hormonal imbalances. She emphasizes the need for families to take ownership of their role in addiction and the...

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    January 1, 2024 34 mins

    Happy New Year everyone! Brooke and I figured we would start 2024 off with part 2 of her interview. This episode goes more into what happened in Maryland especially concerning her medicated assisted treatment and much more. All of the questions came from followers on social media. The next episode we will be discussing sex trafficking. 

    Email us @ collateraldamagesucks@gmail.com

    Resources and website https://www.brandimac.com/

     

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    December 23, 2023 60 mins

    This podcast is raw and real. My daughter came home one week ago to detox and together we made the decision to restart her medicated assisted treatment. This will likely be several parts and a great way to end 2023. Brooke and I want to wish each of you and your family's a very Happy Holiday. 

    Thank you for sticking around. 

     

    https://www.brandimac.com/

     

     

     

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    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....

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    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

     

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    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

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    May 17, 2023 114 mins

    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 y...

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    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: h...

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    March 30, 2023 32 mins

    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

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    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 ...

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    March 14, 2023 12 mins

    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 wi...

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