"How are we supposed to follow 'tough love' when every instinct as a mother tells us not to abandon our child?"

Tough love is often pushed on families navigating addiction especially moms without regard for the trauma, guilt, and heartbreak it causes. But what if turning your back isn’t the only option? What if there's another way to support your loved one without losing yourself?

This is a raw, personal reflection on how the tough love model failed her family, and why she chose connection, boundaries, and harm reduction instead. This video is for any parent struggling to survive the chaos of a child's addiction while still showing up with love, clarity, and compassion.