In this powerful episode, I sit down with Donna Marston, a Certified Recovery Support Worker and Family Recovery Advocate, to discuss her deeply personal journey as a mother of a son with a substance addiction. Donna shares the hard lessons she learned about "unhelpful helping" and how she had to heal her own mind and emotions before she could truly support her son’s recovery.

We also dive into how she now helps other parents navigate the pain, uncertainty, and challenges of having a child with addiction—and how to break the cycle for good. Plus, Donna opens up about her two books, "Peeling The Onion" and "Sharing Without Shame," which offer insight and support for families impacted by addiction.

As the founder of Sharing Without Shame (SWOS), Donna empowers parents and family members by providing workshops, coaching, and support groups focused on healing and personal growth. Drawing from her own experience navigating her son's addiction and recovery, she offers compassionate guidance, practical tools, and a holistic approach to recovery. Through SWOS, Donna continues to create safe spaces for families to share, learn, and rebuild their lives without guilt or shame.

Find her resources at sharingwithoutshame.com and by booking your 1st private session with Donna, receive your free copy of her book "Sharing Without Shame."

Reach out to Donna on www.facebook.com/Donna4Support and www.instagram.com/sharingwithoutshame/

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Reach out to me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mentalhealthmama_andrea

My name is Andrea Clark, and in this very first episode of The Truth About Mental Health I’m sharing my raw and unfiltered journey—from surviving childhood abuse to navigating a mental health system that prioritized medication over true healing. I became a licensed family therapist to help others, only to realize that the system I trusted was failing those who needed real solutions. So, I walked away—relinquishing my licenses but gaining my voice.

This podcast is my mission to uncover the truths that big pharma and the health industry don’t want you to hear. If you’ve ever felt like the system isn’t working for you, you’re not alone.

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Reach out to me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mentalhealthmama_andrea