446: Addiction and Betrayal: Breaking the Cycle of Enabling, Denial, and Despair

In this deeply insightful episode, Dr. Debi Silber sits down with addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth to explore the complex intersection between betrayal and addiction—and the impact it has on partners, families, and loved ones. 

Amber, who grew up in a family affected by addiction and went on to dedicate her career to helping families heal, shares raw and eye-opening truths about how addiction patterns form, why partners often become "the villain" in the addicted person's story, and how to strategically navigate the balance between compassion and boundaries without losing yourself in the process. 

Together, Debi and Amber unpack how betrayal shows up through addiction—whether it's substances, behaviors, or emotional disconnection—and what it takes to stop enabling, break the cycle, and create the conditions for real recovery. 

🧩 Key Topics Covered: 

• Amber's personal story of growing up in an addicted family and how it shaped her life's work. 

• The hidden connection between betrayal trauma and addiction—and why family members often carry the deepest wounds. 

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