One on One With Coach Blu: Emotional ChangesOne on One With Coach Blu: Emotional Changes
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Coach Blu and Marissa answer a heartfelt question about a divorced parent who starts using substances and the impact this has on children, family values and trust. They widen the conversation into communication, co-parenting, and staying emotionally present in recovery-focused homes.
52:58•15 Apr 2022
Love, Divorce and Sobriety: Coach Blu Talks Kids, Boundaries and Booze
Episode Overview
- Children are deeply affected when one parent abandons previously shared values around alcohol and substances, creating confusion and mistrust.
- Adults often turn to substances later in life as a way to cope with divorce, grief, and stress, but this can quickly become self-medication with serious consequences.
- Parents are urged to avoid demonising the other parent and instead focus on strong relationships, open communication, and coping skills for their children.
- Effective communication means talking in terms of what you notice and think, rather than using feelings as weapons, which can reduce defensiveness and improve problem-solving.
- Substances used to numb pain will also dull joy, so any short-term relief comes with the cost of weaker connection, especially with children.
“When you numb out feelings, you numb the good and the bad.”
What are the common struggles and victories in addiction recovery? This live Q&A episode of Addict II Athlete’s One on One With Coach Blu gives a front-row seat to real-life issues faced by families dealing with addiction, divorce, and big emotional shifts.
Coach Blu Robinson, a licensed mental health therapist and addiction specialist, teams up with Athletic Director and recreational therapist Marissa Robinson for a free-flowing, conversational session aimed at people in recovery, their families, and anyone trying to keep their home life steady while sobriety is in the mix.
After a light-hearted start about home construction noise and recent family travels, they move into a heavy but relatable question from a team member: what happens when a former spouse starts drinking and using drugs after a divorce, and children are stuck between two very different households?
From there, the conversation stretches into parenting after separation, mixed messages around alcohol, and why adults may turn to substances later in life as a way to cope with grief, stress, and lost identity. They talk openly about adult peer pressure, social drinking culture, and the danger of self-medicating, especially when kids are watching.
A big theme is communication: how parents talk (or don’t talk) about feelings, boundaries and sex, and how “ineffective communication” can quietly break relationships long before anything dramatic happens. You’ll hear plenty of humor, honest personal examples, and practical reminders like, “When you numb out feelings, you numb the good and the bad.” The episode also highlights upcoming team events, runs, and celebrations that keep the Addict II Athlete community connected and active.
If you’re juggling recovery, co-parenting, or just trying to keep your family values consistent while life changes fast, this conversation might get you asking: what messages are my kids really seeing, and how am I talking about them?
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