Ep. 072: Christine Naman: Author and Advocate for Families Dealing With a Child Abusing Drugs

Ep. 072: Christine Naman: Author and Advocate for Families Dealing With a Child Abusing Drugs

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation between host Eric McCoy and author Christine Naman speaks directly to anyone who loves someone in active addiction and wonders how much more their heart can take. Christine talks about her book *About Natalie: A Daughter’s Addiction, A Mother’s Love, Finding Their Way Back to Each Other*, written while her daughter was still in the chaos of drug use.

She explains that she stopped waiting for a “happy ending” and chose to write from the messy middle instead, hoping other parents drowning in shame, fear and isolation would feel less alone. Eric opens with a raw look at love and the brain – how the same primitive systems that light up for love also light up for drugs, and how substances can end up feeling like love itself.

That idea sets the stage for a hard look at enabling, tough love, and the painful line parents try to draw between helping and harming. Christine is honest: she calls herself an enabler, admits she crossed lines, and still isn’t sure where the perfect balance lies. You’ll hear about Natalie’s repeated rehab stays, her overdoses, and the sheer terror of waiting for “that” phone call.

There’s also hope: Natalie now has two years in recovery and found her own way through methadone, despite her parents’ early resistance. Eric’s strong support for harm reduction challenges the “clean is clean” mindset and questions the shame often thrown at people using medication in recovery. Christine’s message to other families is simple and soft but strong: you’re not alone, your child is more than their addiction, and recovery can happen in many different ways.

If you’re a parent, partner or friend caught between love and boundaries, this conversation might be exactly the honest hug you need today.