Amber Hollingsworth (@puttheshoveldown), a master addiction counselor with 700k+ on YouTube, joins me to show families how to intervene early with compassion, not ultimatums or tough love.

We talk:

• The myth that “there’s nothing you can do”
• Functional alcoholism & enabling traps
• Real boundaries (rules for yourself, not control)
• Why waiting for rock bottom is dangerous
• Rebuilding trust after sobriety
• Hope for relapse (“it’s just a blip”)

If you’re a parent, spouse, or sibling feeling helpless, stuck, or like you’re enabling — this episode is for you. Amber breaks it down clearly and kindly.

If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available 24/7:

• US – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org (call/text/chat)

• US – SAMHSA National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline | 1-800-662-HELP

• Al-Anon (family support for alcoholism): https://al-anon.org

• Nar-Anon (family support for drug addiction): https://www.nar-anon.org

• Canada – 988 Crisis Line: https://988.ca

• Global helplines: https://www.befrienders.org

Full episode live Friday 2 PM EST.

Link in bio after drop.

Grateful to Amber for coming on and sharing this wisdom. ❤️

@puttheshoveldown

#FamilyRecovery #NoToughLove #BoundariesWithEmpathy #SoberJourney #AddictionRecovery #WillpowerPodcast

Ryan Barrett (@ryanbarrett90) should be dead multiple times over: molested at 8, buried the shame in death metal, rebellion, blackouts, hard drugs, a near-fatal car wreck (femur shattered in 7 places), suicide attempt, yellow eyes, and a blackout knife night that almost ended everything.

One morning he poured out his last glass of spiced rum, begged for help, and got sober for real. Now 2+ years sober, engaged, raising two kids, hitting the gym, restored faith in Jesus, bought a house, and uses his hell to help troubled youth every day.

This is raw, dark redemption - perfectly timed for anyone fighting the last third of Dry January or any day really. If you've ever felt hopeless, watch this.

Trigger Warning: Childhood trauma, suicide attempt, self-harm, addiction details. Help is available:

US: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) | 1-800-662-HELP (SAMHSA)

Canada: 988 or text HOME to 741741

International: befrienders.org

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: From Molestation to Near-Death Multiple Times

01:00 - Age 8: Sexual Molestation & The Pact of Silence

03:00 - Rebellion, Death Metal, Weed → Booze → Harder Drugs

05:00 - Car Wreck at 19 (Femur Shattered) - Still Partied

07:00 - Self-Hate & Setting Himself Up for Punishment

09:00 - Suicide Attempt: Rope Around Neck, Phone Rings

12:00 - Blackout Knife Night: Waking Up in Blood

15:00 - Poured Out the Last Spiced Rum - Stopped Drinking That Day

17:00 - Living in Party House, No Urges, Found Meditation

20:00 - Relapse After 2+ Years: "I Thought I Could Moderate"

23:00 - Split for 3 Months - Got Sober Again

25:00 - Restoring Faith in Jesus & Church Community

28:00 - Helping Troubled Youth with His Own Hell

30:00 - Message to the Guy on Day 7 of Dry January

32:00 - If Blackout Ryan Saw This Life Now...

Follow Ryan: @ryanbarrett90 (Instagram - open book on recovery)

Support the channel ❤️ Every donation helps. Bless you all that donate🙏

Buy Me a Coffee:

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willpowerpodcast

Subscribe, like, share if this hit home. More real stories coming.

#SoberJourney #DarkRedemption #RecoveryStory #DryJanuary #WillpowerPodcast #RyanBarrett

Mike Faria (@jerzeymike) shares his raw journey – from guilt over his cousin's drunk driving death, 5 years of daily drinking, to a 3-week coma in 2020 with yellow eyes, fluid buildup, kidneys failing, and doctors prepping his family for the worst.

He woke up anyway, got sober on August 23, 2022, rebuilt his body, his family, met the love of his life, and became the family man he always intended to be. Mike's the kind of guy who shares his story raw on Instagram to keep others alive.

This episode is real, no sugarcoating – grief, denial, rock bottom, the moment his son gave him purpose, and the miracle of his liver recovery. If you're struggling or know someone who is, this one's for you.

Trigger Warning: Coma, alcohol withdrawal, grief, self-harm ideation.

Help available:
US Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Canada: 988 (or 1-833-456-4566)

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro & Mike's Early Chaos
00:58 – Guilt Over Cousin & Daily Drinking
03:36 – 5-Year Binge & Rock Bottom
05:16 – Son as Turning Point
07:45 – Darkest Night & Self-Destruction
09:29 – Morning of Reckoning (Yellow Eyes)
11:34 – 3-Week Coma & Waking Up
15:06 – Hope from Dr. Raquel
19:42 – Hospital Struggles & Compassion
25:14 – "You Can't Do It Alone" Message
26:57 – Surrender & The Lock Inside
29:45 – Life Now: Clarity & Pride
32:10 – Losses as Wins
34:39 – Closing & Where to Find Mike

Follow Mike: @jerzeymike (Instagram/Threads – raw sobriety inspiration)

Support the podcast ❤️
Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/willpowerpodcast

Sober Mentoring (free 30-min chat):

https://calendly.com/thewillpowerpodcast/30min

Subscribe, like, share if this moved you. More real stories coming.