A Mother's Journey Through Teen Addiction with Janelle Martin

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Janelle Martin about her transformative journey as a parent navigating her daughter’s struggle with addiction and the process of letting go of control. Janelle candidly shares how the experience forever changed her relationship with her daughter, her own healing journey through the 12-step process, and how this path shaped her life’s purpose and career.

About the Guest:

Janelle Martin is a licensed counselor, neurofeedback provider, and the author of two books, including her latest, Losing Her, Finding Us: A Mother’s Fight, A Daughter’s Journey and the Road to Recovery. Her life was forever changed by her family’s experience with addiction—a journey that reshaped not only her personal life but her professional path. Today, she owns a holistic mental health practice and works with individuals and families navigating trauma, stress, and substance use. Janelle also facilitates weekly PAL (Parents of Addicted Loved Ones) support groups and is passionate about helping others find hope in the midst of struggle. Her story, rooted in both pain and healing, is the heart behind everything she does.

Main Topics Covered:

• What it’s like parenting a child through addiction and crisis as a “regular” middle-class family
• Realizing the limits of parental control and shifting focus to self-healing
• The challenges of navigating boundaries, letting go, and processing grief as a parent
• The power and practicality of 12-step programs for parents (Al-Anon) as tools for growth
• How releasing control positively changed Janelle’s relationship with her daughter—from conflict to collaboration, and eventually, to becoming work partners
• The importance of sharing both parent and child perspectives around addiction and recovery
• The long-term, lifelong nature of recovery journeys and the impact on purpose and career

Quote from the Episode:

“You can’t rebuild a relationship from a standpoint of, I did everything right. You have the problem. So I’m going to let you figure out how to make it right. It doesn’t work that way.” — Janelle Martin

Timestamps: [00:00:05] Welcome & introductions; where Janelle calls home

[00:01:13] Laughter, dogs, and the healing power of humor

[00:02:13] The beginning of her family’s experience with addiction

[00:05:08] Family background, divorce dynamics, and co-parenting struggles

[00:12:15] What “trying to fix it” looked like and early attempts at control

[00:16:04] Crisis point, choosing tough boundaries, and entering treatment

[00:22:14] Discovering healing and surrender through Al-Anon and the 12 steps

[00:24:22] The impact on her relationship with her daughter—and the slow, honest rebuilding

[00:32:11] Giving up control: school, sobriety, and patience with relapse

[00:38:07] The trauma and difficulty of letting her adult child make her own decisions

[00:40:28] Self-care: prayer, meetings, and the importance of supportive community

[00:42:54] Why recovery isn’t “over”—and how it continues to shape Janelle’s purpose

[00:46:49] On writing the book together and the importance of sharing both perspectives

[00:50:52] About Janelle’s counseling practice, books, and how to connect

Connect with the Guest: www.ourbeautifulrecovery.com

If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/support

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