The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd Bonus "My kids in trouble now what?"The #RecoveryFirst Podcast with Mike Todd Bonus "My kids in trouble now what?"
The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast by Freedom Recovery Services of Greenville
Mike Todd shares how his stepson’s addiction affected his recovery and marriage, and how setting boundaries and asking for help changed things. The episode focuses on parents who think their child may have a drug problem and feel unsure what to do next.
10:35•19 Jul 2021
“My Kid’s in Trouble, Now What?” Mike Todd on Letting Go and Asking for Help
Episode Overview
- Being in recovery yourself does not mean you can fix a child’s addiction.
- Strong boundaries, such as asking a child to leave home, may protect your recovery, marriage and wellbeing.
- Keeping an open, non-judgmental line of communication can coexist with clear limits.
- Reaching out to other parents, recovery coaches and organisations can provide vital perspective and guidance.
- Admitting powerlessness, asking for help and stepping back can lead to better outcomes for both the parent and the family.
“I had to admit that I couldn’t, that I had no power over this… when I got out of the way and I asked for help and I got guidance, it got better for me.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This bonus episode of The Recovery First Addiction Recovery Podcast zooms in on one of the most terrifying questions a parent can face: “I think my kid’s in trouble… what now?” Host Mike Todd shares a raw, personal story about his stepson’s struggle with substance use and how it shook his own recovery, marriage and peace of mind.
He talks openly about the instinct to “fix” things, especially as someone already in recovery and deeply involved in the Greenville recovery community.
As he says, “I really thought for a while that I could fix this… and it was one of the toughest things that personally I’ve ever been through.” Across the episode, Mike walks through the hard lessons he and his wife, Renee, learned: setting boundaries, admitting he was too close to the situation, and asking for help from other parents and recovery organisations.
He describes the heartbreaking moment they packed a backpack with food, resources and phone numbers, told their son they loved him, and asked him to leave their home. The style is honest, conversational and occasionally light-hearted, even as the subject stays heavy. Mike uses humour (like redefining “ego” as “edging God out” and “guru” as G-U-R-U) to break the tension while still staying fully grounded in the pain and confusion families face.
This episode speaks directly to parents and loved ones who feel desperate, exhausted or guilty about not being able to “save” their child. You’ll hear a strong message about humility, boundaries and keeping communication open, summed up by Mike’s admission: he had to get out of the way, ask for guidance and accept that his son’s recovery wouldn’t look like his.
If you’re worried about a child, where might you need to step back, ask for help and let others walk alongside you?
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