Finding Joy in Marriage
Despite Addiction
Addiction can often feel overwhelming and hopeless.
Our lack of understanding of what addiction really is, not only on a physical and psychological level, but also a spiritual level has left too many Catholics feeling helpless in the face of this struggle and in their marriages.
Having been in that same place just 8 years ago (with only Google as a place to turn to with my questions!), I am now determined to make more resources available for all of the other Catholic couples out there who are facing the same issue and who deeply desire to find joy and freedom in their marriages again.
NEW RESOURCES AVAILABE!
Below are two brand-new projects that I have begun that focus specifically on helping Catholics who are experiencing addiction in their marriages.
CATHOLIC MARRIAGE AND ADDICTION
YOUTUBE CHANNEL
PRACTICAL SKILLS
This Chanel is focused on equipping you with the skills needed to find joy despite addiction. This channel is for you if you find yourself asking yourself HOW TO questions...
How do I:
Set healthy boundaries?
How do I improve communication?
How can I help my spouse?
How do I heal my addiction?
How do I create security in my relationship?
PODCAST
DEEPER UNDERSTANDING
This Podcast is focused on giving you the understanding needed to get creative with problem solving. This podcast is for if you want to understand ALL of the working parts - think BIG PICTURE.
What's the Catholic understanding of addiction?
Why is addiction so hard to overcome?
What is my role as the spouse?
Why is what we're doing not working?
What role does the body play in addiction vs. the role that the soul plays in addiction?
Our Story
I first discovered my husband's addiction to alcohol about 3 weeks into our marriage... Talk about the shock of a lifetime! and I did EVERYTHING wrong. Honestly, I was just not equipped with the right skills and understanding to get through this crisis in a healthy and successful way. And it's no surprise, I mean, WHO is!? Everything I did only added gasoline to the fire. I became more and more anxious, firm, and controlling... and he became more avoidant, more clever at hiding, and more withdrawn. I felt like I had walked into a nightmare. A husband who didn't love me, Financial instability, and no way out. But God is GOOD and FAITHFUL. He didn't come and fix all my problems in an instant, but He showed me that it was possible to be happy in my marriage even if Daniel never changed. But I would have a lot of work, and a lot of learning to do! So here we are, 8 years later, and things are truly amazing. It's been a wild journey to see my husband go from not wanting to admit his drinking was a problem to desiring to quit it all... his drinking, porn and phone addictions too. For his own sake! Not to make me happy. Not so I would stop yelling at him or being so sad. But because he WANTED it! He wanted the FREEDOM. & He wanted to GROW SPIRITUALLY. And no, this didn't just happen because I prayed for it. It happened because I became very intentional with my own personal growth in Grace and Virtue. What we have experienced in our marriage is not something that was "just for us". It wasn't luck. This joy and freedom is available to anyone who wants it. Which is why I'm sharing everything that God has taught me over these past 8 years for anyone who wants to hear it.
Have Me Come
Speak at Your Event
Being able to speak about addiction from both a professional background in Psychology and from personal experience in dealing with it in my marriage, I have the ability to hit both the head and the heart, challenging my audience with hard truths in a gentle and hopeful way.
I also strive to always leave those who are listening with clear, simple, and actionable steps they can take to start making changes in their lives and marriages right away!