Helen’s Story: Motherhood, Addiction, and the Road to Recovery

In this deeply moving episode of Soul With Sammy, we sit down with Helen, a resilient mother whose life has been shaped by love, loss, addiction, and ultimately, hope. Helen shares her raw and honest story, from navigating the challenges of raising two children with cystic fibrosis to battling alcohol addiction as a means of coping with immense stress and trauma. Her journey through motherhood, grief, and recovery is nothing short of extraordinary.

Helen opens up about the impact of receiving her children’s diagnoses, the emotional toll of constant medical battles, and the moment she realized she needed to choose sobriety for herself. She takes us through her experience with rehab, the struggles of relapse, and how a groundbreaking medical treatment changed the trajectory of her family's life. Now four years sober, Helen shares her wisdom on addiction, mental health, and finding strength in the darkest of times.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Growing up with undiagnosed ADHD and its impact on Helen’s early years
• The challenges of raising children with cystic fibrosis and the emotional toll it took
• How stress and trauma led to a cycle of alcohol addiction
• The pivotal moment that led Helen to seek help and commit to recovery
• Life in sobriety: finding joy, connection, and new coping mechanisms
• The groundbreaking medical breakthrough that changed her children's future
• The myths around addiction and why quitting is not as simple as "just stopping"
• How Helen found meaning and purpose beyond addiction

Key Takeaways:
✔️ Addiction is not a choice, and recovery is an ongoing journey that requires support.
✔️ Mental health struggles can manifest in many ways—seeking help is a sign of strength.
✔️ Even in the darkest times, there is always something worth fighting for.
✔️ Science and medical advancements continue to bring hope to families facing chronic illness.
✔️ Healing comes from within, but community and connection are crucial.

Resources & Links:
📌 Follow Soul With Sammy on Instagram: @SoulWithSammy
📌 Learn more about cystic fibrosis: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
📌 Need support for addiction? Visit Alcoholics Anonymous or SMART Recovery
📌 If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out for help:

• Australia: Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au
• USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org
• UK: Samaritans – Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
• Global: Find local support through findahelpline.com