I work well under pressure.
Which is why I waited until the last second to write this post.
If I had planned it all out it wouldn’t come off right. So here I am, trying to figure out the right way to lay this one out…Clearly it’s not an easy post for me to write. Especially since it’s affected my family so deeply.
Addiction.
Surely you have a friend or family member who has struggled with addiction. Maybe you’ve even struggled with the disease. Or maybe you’ve simply seen the dark side on TV. Regardless there are multiple types of addiction. Today we’re going to talk specifically about drug & alcohol addiction.
Because that’s what I know.
I am a public person- it’s my job to be public & it’s what I signed up for, but there’s a lot of me that’s private. Private because I am not ready to discuss my entire life story yet. Other parts are private because they’re not my stories to tell. Addiction, however, is something I’ve wanted to discuss for a long time on The Skinny Confidential but I’ve waited until the time was right.
And now it’s right.
It’s right for a plethora of reasons.
It’s right because of TSC secret Facebook group which has proven the need for depth. Seriously- through the thousands of women who are part of The Skinny Confidential community I’ve seen a need to get real. To watch you guys engage & interact in a non-judgemental space has been INCREDIBLE. Really blows my mind.
It’s right because I believe that this post & podcast on addiction will help someone- or shit, maybe it will simply open the conversation that the Internet facade life isn’t always rosé & oysters. A lot of bloggers talk about food & fashion in the most whimsical, beautiful, curated way but I hope to be the blog or space that goes deeper…because that’s what I look for in a blog. DEPTH. I have gone through shit. HAVEN’T WE ALL? That’s just life, right? It’s important for me to celebrate the highs & acknowledge the lows. So always know that you won’t just find home decor tips & recipes here- I have always wanted this space to be much bigger than me or what I’m doing. So this post is right because it may help or open up real life conversation.
And it’s right because my sister, Faye, who struggled with addiction, is in such a strong place to share her story. Which is why I’m so happy to have her & her fiancé on the podcast today.
My sister, Faye, is five years younger than me.
When we were little we were best friends from the second she was born. No surprise to you, I was a bossy older sister & always wanted to be the teacher ( shocking ) in every situation. Faye was always game- she looked up to me in the sweetest way. She was ( & is ) BEAUTIFUL. Like the most beautiful little girl ever guys- huge baby blue eyes with a Tina Turner bun she wore at the top of her head. Faye made everyone laugh constantly. I was with her 24/7.
Things happened in our childhood which is a huge post or 100…or a book.
Anyway, after these things happened the light in my sister’s eyes changed.
I remember when she was 13 ( I was 18 & in high school ), something shifted. I can’t explain it really because our full history is extensive but basically around 14-ish she started experimenting with drugs. Sadly in San Diego this is not uncommon. A lot of young kids get into drugs very early. We both went to schools where drugs were readily available ( I’ve always been more into tequila though! HA ).
Faye experimented which snowballed into hard core drugs. At 17 she was drinking and doing drugs & prescription pills daily.
At this point I was in college, bartending all night & teaching fitness & going to school all day. My time was jammed packed from the second I got up to the second I fell asleep at 2:30 AM. Non-stop. I didn’t live with her. I noticed things were off but all my family members would make excuses ( which is something SO many of us do- we enable the addict ). Excuses were our thing. To our friends, to each other, to ourselves.
There were so many undeniable moments & days where she was clearly high but we buried it…deep. Too painful. Bury, bury. The problem too was that my sister looked normal. She didn’t look like what people think an addict should look like- no facial scabs or marks. Not strung out. Her eyes were clear. In fact, she looked gorgeous, normal, fresh, pretty, stylish ( don’t believe me? See this post ).
Meanwhile her addiction got worse & worse…& worse.
My dad & stepmom finally kicked her out of the house- they had the last straw with her. While she was high she acted out in a way that was dangerous. Faye went to my grandma’s house. From there it got worse. So bad The Nanz had to kick her out. With my dad, stepmom, brother, other sister, cousins, uncles, & aunts, we staged an intervention with a specialist.
It went HORRIBLE.
Keep in mind this is around the time The Skinny Confidential launched- I threw myself into health, nutrition, & fitness. Perhaps to counteract my sister’s addiction?
After the fail of an intervention, my sister- 20 years old & so beautiful still, was homeless.
Everyone was done with her behavior & we all, as a family, cut her off.
I remember the second I realized it was the only way to save her – to cut her off entirely. I was taking off in a plane- about to travel & I started bawling crying because I knew this was out of my hands. I had no control. She had to want help to receive help.
This may be hard for some of you to understand because you don’t know the lead up, the countless horror stories, the behavior…but let me tell you this: my family cutting her off saved her life. She will tell you the same & she does in the podcast today.
There she was on the street with nowhere to go- with nothing. She called her last friend who so kindly set her up with a woman named Kiyan who represented the Cy Mo Foundation ( a foundation who was created after her son, Cyrus. Cyrus was a very, very good friend of mine who died from a drug overdose at 21 ).
From there Kiyan got Faye into a rehab.
Not a country club rehab. A clean the toilets with your toothbrush, Wonderbread, shut the fuck up with that attitude kind of rehab, in Orange County.
This family pic I posted in 2014 on The Skinny Confidential was actually us visiting her at rehab.
After months of being clean, Faye relapsed while in rehab on heroin.
My family was devastated as you can imagine. I mean it was crushing. She’d been using for years & years & to see my little sister clean was such a relief. Her relapse scared the shit out of us.
The day after the relapse my sister walked miles by herself to a new rehab & never looked back. She’s been four years sober now & sponsors many women in treatment. Faye is in college, engaged, works with Young Living Essential Oils, & lives in Orange County. Best of all- a year ago she found out she was pregnant. About nine months ago she gave birth to my nephew & her son, Daxton Graye. Dax is perfection in every way.
I am so proud of her.
Faye is an example of overcoming demons & creating her life by design. Surely she will have more hurdles but she is now clean & sober.
I’ve said it before & I’ll say it again: behind beauty there is typically struggle.
“HAPPINESS REQUIRES STRUGGLE. THIS IS THE MOST SIMPLE AND BASIC COMPONENT OF LIFE: OUR STRUGGLES DETERMINE OUR SUCCESSES. IF YOU WANT THE BENEFITS OF SOMETHING IN LIFE, YOU HAVE TO ALSO WANT THE COSTS.” – Mark Manson
Ultimately you can’t have a pain-free life— it just doesn’t work that way.
You have to embrace the struggle to get to the destination.
So yes, this week’s podcast is about struggle, addiction, & overcoming adversity. You can listen to the podcast here where we go super in-depth with Faye & Johnny, her fiancé. You should know Johnny’s story is intense & inspiring. He has overcome so much adversity. His story is very, VERY interesting guys. We hope both of their stories can help anyone out there dealing with something similar.
There is so much more to my experience with addiction so if you guys are interested in this topic please let me know & I’ll do more posts like this.
Ok I’m out- so much love to anyone out there who’s familiar with the disease of addiction. I feel you.
– lauryn
+ if you’re a family member or friend of an addict and looking for a safe place to talk- check out Al-Anon. If you want help for an addiction go to Alcoholics Anonymous.
Thanks for this post Lauryn. I’m sure a lot of women in this community have experienced addiction either personally or amongst friends and family and we appreciate you pulling back the curtain on your own experience to show that no one is immune–but it’s about the way we support those in our lives who struggle. xoxo.
Cannot thank you enough for this post. I am currently going through a similar situation with my mother, and often times it can be such a lonely road because it often goes undiscussed. Thank you for using your platform to shed light to this disease and help make others aware. XX
I really applaud you for opening up about your family’s struggle with addiction. I also applaud Faye (if she’s reading) for allowing you to share her story with the world. I have close family members who have struggled with addiction and I’ve found that those who haven’t loved an addict can be judgey. It’s sometimes hard to talk about addiction and the way it tears a family apart because the world seems to pretend it isn’t a common problem when it is. Addiction is scary! Thanks again for opening up, addiction is a very important topic that needs to be discussed. Glad your sister is living a happy and sober life now-wishing her all the best <3
Thank you, Lauryn. You are so brave. May your experiences in life – both positive and not so much – continue to fuel your desire to make a real difference in this world. Love to you, Faye and your entire family. You are helping more people than you will ever know. xo
I’m sitting here in tears after reading. I’ve struggled with a family member’s addiction myself. I know exactly how you felt, how you feel, as so many others do as well. Can’t tell you how many dreams I’ve had where I’ve woken up in tears over it. So happy to read the happy ending!
Oh Lauryn, my heart swelled reading this post. I have followed along with you for the longest time, especially during my addiction. Much like Faye, I started using young and after my 3rd relapse I said enough is enough, borrowed some wellness tips from you and made sure my vitals were stable. I kicked the shit and never looked back. In June I’ll have two years of sobriety and my heart and hugs go out to you and Faye. Thank you for staying so real and sharing your life with us all. You are an inspiration that has touched my life in such a positive way.
thank you for sharing this. love you.
Thank you Lauryn & thank you Faye. I’ve got chills from reading this and can relate in so many ways. TSC is such a wonderful platform with so much knowledge on a plethora of subjects and I really, REALLY appreciate real deal posts like this.
Thank you for sharing and thanks to Faye for being so candid. It’s comforting to hear others have had similar struggles! It’s such a painful and lonely diesease so it’s nice to know you aren’t the only one with siblings that have addictions! Can’t wait to hear the podcast ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this. This post with all of its realness is why I continue to come back to your blog every day.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I love seeing these deep and real posts from you. It definitely connects us as your audience to you more and lets us know that no one’s life is perfect, even though it may seem that way from the outside. Thank you for being so raw ❤️
Thank you for this Lauryn. My family lost a young man this year to a drug overdose and my friend lost her nephew to an overdose. Hopefully your sister and you sharing your experience will help others dealing with addiction.
Love that you are doing this post and podcast! I Just celebrated my 5 year recovery anniversary and I’m such a believer that in recovery we must give it away to keep it. I love your work – huge fan of all things Skinny Confidential!❤️
Bless your heart….I know how you feel, just not ready to share it yet. I’ve been worrying about a family member for years. It’s not easy, and it’s so very scary! You’re speaking to my heart in this post!
This is a great post. I recently had a close friend die of an overdose. Pain killers are slowly leading to secret addicts everyday. It is nice to see someone talk about this so openly.
Really great post and I’m excited to hear the podcast. Everyone loves seeing this side of you- so relatable and raw and real. Hope to see more!
To Faye and Lauryn-
This is what makes our sisterhood important. I honor your stories. Sobriety is a beautiful thing. Congratulations, Faye, on 4 beautiful years.
I am 7 years sober and can totally relate in totally the same way and IN totally different ways. There’s never any room for judgment and now is the time to rise each other up and hold each other’s hands.
Thank you for being real and raw. Man, does it feel good! Please let me know if I could be of service! XXXOO
The country is in a largely hidden opiod epidemic so your family’s bravery comes at the best time. People are afraid to talk about addiction, especially that of women, and it’s so important to break down the stigmas. I, like so many other readers/American women have been touched by addiction. Thank you Faye for allowing your story to be told. Thanks Lauryn for using your platform. Continued blessings for Faye, baby Dax, and your whole fam! You guys a strong!
Thank you for sharing this. My family went through the exact same thing with my sister. She also started with prescription drugs that eventually led to heroin. I am her younger sister and she was my hero from the first moment I can remember. I literally felt like no one else in the world was going through this, as a sister. Thank you for this!! My sister has been clean for almost a year but I’m scared every day that it won’t last. I over analyze everything she does because after everything there is just no trust left. Your post makes me feel like there is hope. Thank you
Lauryn, thank you so much for sharing this. Your truth and honesty on this blog is something I have always admired. I want to say congratulations to your sister! It is truly take so much strength and tenacity to face an addiction head on. I work with many people who battle addiction and it is not often that they choose to get help and commit to their sobriety. Congratulations, Faye!!! What an inspiring life you are leading!
LOVE the realness here. SO necessary with where society currently stands when talking addiction. Why does it have to be such a dirty topic? Let’s talk about it! So many people deal with it directly and indirectly. Not talking about it only enables it more. My brothers story is very similar to your sisters. He is sober, successful and happy but that would not be the case if we had not made the decision to all cut him off. Gosh, thank you for sharing this and being so transparent and real.
Thanks for sharing Lauryn! The topic of addiction really hits home for me right now.. I was dating someone and three years in he started using heroine. We were living together, and as much as I tried to support him I ended up having to end the relationship because things got really, really bad. It actually funny because during the time I was trying to help him (it was about 6 months or so) I was thinking about reaching out to you for advice- I didn’t have anyone I could talk to about it and even though I don’t know you I kinda see you as a big sister? Is that weird? lol. Little did I know that you actually had a lot of insight on the topic. But anyway, after we broke up he really hit rock bottom, just completed rehab and is starting to get back on his feet and it’s great to see people like Faye who have overcome addiction. Thank you for sharing, it’s always nice to have you be so open in such a filtered world because anyone who says they haven’t had struggles is full of it.
This hits home, lauryn. Hoping for similar outcomes for my family and friends as well. Thanks for sharing
well shit… just drowned my laptop in tears. LOVE SWEET FAYE <3
Thank you SO much for sharing this. I have a family member that is dealing with addiction and my family is still in the stages of enabling. It’s super difficult for everyone involved but it’s so wonderful to see a story like this and know that there can be a light at the end of it. And super big shout out to Faye for sharing this part of her past as well, so inspiring.
i love this post and you so so much. I have a hell of a lot of respect for you and admire your authenticity. Please post more about these hard topics, they are so inspiring.
I completely disagree. This is still her story to tell. Faye is her sister…addiction severely affects those other than just the addict (sometimes even more). This certainly isn’t the post to jab at Lauyrn nor suggest your perception of her issues. And let’s be honest, she certainly doesn’t need to enrich her blog for more followers or fanfare. You and I both know that.
Thank you! I have had the pleasure of being one of the success stories of the chains of addiction. As you said you can’t always see the struggle, hurt and pain from the outside and it is a deep routed suffering daily inside. There is an easier softer way ladies. All you have to do is ask.
Love,
Ashley
(Sobriety date: 10/10/13)
Love this ??
You continue to prove why you are my go-to, internet “big sister.” Thank you so much for this. I’m speechless, but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing : )
I absolutely love Faye! Shes beautiful and has such an awesome personality. I met Faye while I was in a rehab that she worked at in Southern California called Safe Harbor. I have a story much like Faye and can relate to her feelings of insecurities and just feeling different or “off”. I struggled with heroin addiction for 8yrs and I now have 1yr sober. I wanted to say that Faye helped me while I was treatment because honestly she makes sobriety look good. I say that because she has the best personality and knows how to still live a fun life in sobriety. I watched her reach out and help other women in the AA community in a loving way. She is someone I could go to not feel judged.
Anyway, I think with the stigma surrounding addiction being barsher than ever, NOW was the perfect time to do this podcast. And from a recovering addict, I want to thank you for sharing the recovery side of addiction and reflecting that we arent bad people and we can recover. Like I said, Faye makes recovery aplealing. She gives hope to addicts like me and shows us that we too can be happy without drugs and have a life worth living. Thank you for giving us a voice! I love TSC.
Thank you so much for sharing this. I think all of us as readers truly love to hear stories that make a blog we read seem more real, connected and authentic. I have been reading your blog since college in 2012 and I have found the mix of tips, tricks and real life stories and inspiration to be the reason I return regularly. Would love to hear more stories like this and about your experience through life and your journey! I have had to deal with a similar path in mine with my family and addiction (among other hurdles) and no matter how many times I hear someone share a story like this it ALWAYS makes me feel a little better about my families own demons, keep sharing girl!
Love the real talk. I have been to rehab twice for anorexia and from those stays I have developed close friendships with those who struggle with addiction. Someone very very close to me is also in recovery. The 12 step program is truly so incredible and I think the act of giving back through sponsorship and just supporting others is so healing. The 12 stop model has helped me in my own recovery- and I think it could be helpful for ALL people! So glad your sister is in a better place. I wish people would learn more about the disease of addiction because I think there is a lot of taboo surrounding it. The disease does not discriminate and it can be incredibly insidious. Thank you for spreading awareness!!
Praise you for this post, for your heart, and for being REAL in a world that is so very not.
I love this realness and this post. Love love love it. It means a lot to me. So thanks for sharing.
What an awesome post and podcast! I love the “major realness” you share! I could go on and on but just wanted to say great job and thanks to you and your sister for sharing such a personal story!
This was an awesome post! Glad to see Faye doing so well! xoxo
Lauryn, I can’t thank you enough for breathing such a breathe of fresh air into the blogging world and discussing such a difficult topic. A few people in my family but specifically my mother, suffers from a Heroin addiction & it has devastated my family & I in more ways than one. I so appreciate your post & am so happy that your sister Faye is in recovery!
thank you for your depth and authenticity! it’s so refreshing (and hard to find in blogs!!!)
The only thing as spot on as this blog post is the live “Ask Him and Her Podcast” interview with Faye on TSC blog. With the help and transparency like Faye’s voice, the 12 Step Program & the minute people start treating addiction as a disease, NOT an illness, will be the day these poor suffering people will be given the hope and faith they so need. Fantastic job by Lauryn, Michael and Faye
Man I cannot tell you how hard I am sobbing reading this post. I am currently in the process of checking myself into a hospitalization program for severe depression and suicidal ideation. I had to get off FB otherwise would be posting in there but this is at least a little piece of the action.
I have been struggling with major depressive disorder for a long time. A longer time than I care to admit and a much longer time than anyone knew (or was willing to admit). Obviously addiction and mental health issues are different but often go hand in hand. In fact it wasn’t until I was a few too many glasses of wine deep that I finally admitted I was suicidal.
My family has been so supportive and are the reason I am working so hard to get better, and I am sure your family was a major motivator for your sister too. I am thankful that they have not cut me off but I think the difference between addiction and depression and seeking help is that I have literally no reason to remain in this state while substance abuse issues are like a security blanket that makes you feel good, even if it destroys everything else.
But neither issue gets better without the desire to get help, and support from things bigger than us. I am so hopeful that at the end of my journey I am as happy and healthy as your beautiful sister. Thank you both for sharing this.
**HUGS*** You are right, addiction and depression/anxiety often go hand in hand. I know what it’s like to drink to try to get rid of anxiety, and the vicious circle begins.Sending good thoughts your way that you see there is light to be found, and struggles along the way. It is all worth it though! Hang in there!
Oh Lauryn, THANK YOU. I just read through all the comments and my heart is bursting and my eyes are watering. My younger brother and uncle are both recovering addicts and I know the struggle well. We are fortunate that our intervention worked and both are sober for more than a year now and doing so well. It makes me so happy to hear Faye and Johnny’s story and I’m so happy to hear they are doing incredibly well. Their story, you sharing and everyone be involved in this conversation is what will bring awareness to this disease and lead others to educate themselves. I hope that in my lifetime, I can be part of the positive change for addiction. I would love to see you post more on this <3
Omg this made me tear up, I’m so glad to hear your sister is doing well! Thank you so much for using your platform in such an honest way. Love and well wishes to your entire family, and to all those who struggle with or are affected by addiction. <3
As always, I SO appreciate your realness. XO
Lauryn,
I have read your blog for years – I’m a fan from Ottawa, Canada. I love checking in every now & then for recipes, to read your stories (I think you & Michael are too cute – congrats on your wedding!) and to gawk at your beautiful pics – mainly the scenery (esp. in the winter – I’m so jel of your guys’ sunny, January weather – it’s so cold & snowy here from Nov – March!).
But this post has to be one of my all-time faves. I too have a younger sister, and to witness something like this would truly break my heart. To endure what she has gone through is truly incredible and she deserves all the happiness in the world. To keep it simple: you’re so strong for going through something like this together & I’m sure your bond is unbreakable now. There’s nothing like sister-love! Thanks for sharing <3
Such a great post, and podcast. Thanks to you and your sister (and Johnny) for sharing the struggles of addiction and how you overcame them. My favorite part of the podcast: “Keep your feet moving and your head will eventually catch up” – Johnny Cheek
This post hits a nerve. My little brother struggled with drug & alcohol addiction for years and we, as a family, had to let him hit rock bottom too. It was so hard to do. He’s now been sober for 5 years. I feel where you’re coming from – thanks so much for being open about your family’s experience with addiction. We need to break the stigma about speaking out about it. Also, to Faye: Good on you for getting and staying clean! What a beautiful baby boy you have!
Wow, Lauryn, this was an amazing post & I really appreciate both your transparency & vulnerability on the subject. As a long time follower since 2012, it was crazy to see the curtain pulled back on old posts that I actually remember. It’s a lonely world & something myself and others close to me have dealt with. You hit the nail on the head on looking “normal” & I am so glad to see a post that does not stigmatize. Thank you, Faye, for allowing Lauryn to share your story. I am confident that this will help save at least one other person in this world. Phenomenal post. xx Shannon
Thank you so much for sharing! It gave me the chills, i am not only a daughter of a recovering addict but a wife. Its so hard to let go when they need it the most. Its even harder when people around you dont understand & give in.
Hi Lauryn,
I appreciate the realness!!! I had no idea this was something you struggled with in your family. I went through this with my dad, who has 7 years sober now, but it was B R U T A L, the worst time of my life. Your life seems so magical in so many ways, and I know you get real about a lot of phsyical and beauty related things, but this has truly endeared me to you even more. I listened to the podcast and found it fascinating. SO so much of it rang true with me and what my dad has said about additction and going being a part of Alcoholics Anonymous. Such an honest conversation, thank you for sharing. Hoping you will share the rest of your story when you are ready.
xoxox
Hey Lauryn,
Thank you so much for sharing this. I left my husband 3 years ago after he refused to get sober from a drug/alcohol addiction and it was even more heartbreaking to see him turn into someone totally different than the person I married than it was to go throughthe divorce itself. . (Incidentally, I also got really into health/nutrition/fitness around that time, also probably to compensate). Ironically, I read this post as while en route to NYC to stay with a girlfriend who is going through the same thing..:it’s so painful and I can’t even imagine dealing with heroine. Sending much love and so glad to hear that she had turned things around. You are both such beauties and your willingness to speak publicly is such a brave thing to do! Thank you <3 ps- totally took Lagree w you a few weeks ago 🙂
I truly appreciate that you touch on this subject, it’s incredibly important to talk about publicly. It undoubtedly took courage and vulnerability to write this. Why, though, are only pictures attached to this post off-the-cuff, gritty candids? If your goal, admirably and rightly, is to shed a compassionate light on this overwhelmingly common ailment, why not show that your sister, too, can be glamorous? Addicts are human just like you, not inherently different or damaged. They want to present themselves well, just like mom bloggers and celebrity podcasters. Those women, no matter the subject, get curated pictures. Is hers a 180 degree turn because her subject is less glam than lyme disease? That merely perpetuates the stigma of addiction. She deserves equal representation, to feel as beautiful as anyone else.
I think Faye looks beautiful in the candids! Oftentimes you can get a better sense of a person when their guard is down rather than when they are being posed for a “perfect shot” and I think her sweet spirit really shines through in these images!
So brave of you to share this and so amazing to see that your sister has overcome such a difficult path. I can only imagine how difficult it was for you and your family to go through this with her, but glad it all ended in a positive light! <3
BlondieInTheCity.com
So incredibly brave of Faye to share her story. Much love to her and to you and your family. <3
I know what you’re talking about high schoolers in San Diego. But maybe since I was a theater kid, who was friends with yearbook, student counsel, and art kids, but none of us did drugs. It was always the popular kids, the ones obsessed with their appearance and boys, almost always with parents who gave them cars and let them throw parties. Even the surf and skates kids who maybe smoked weed didn’t get into anything crazy because they loved to surf and skate more. Advice for high schoolers; get involved in activity with a good group of kids and don’t rush into sex and drinking, because its much more fun to have sleepovers with friends, go to the movies, get excited for dances, hangout with a club, be in a sport, etc. than it is to fall into peer pressure. With college on the horizon, those memories are that much more special.
This is such an important topic to talk about, yet most people are afraid to (understandably so). I absolutely applaud Faye for letting other people that they are not alone with suffering from addiction, and their life is not hopeless. She is a ray of light!
AWESOME POST… My name is Jerilyn and I have worked for Johnny for almost 2 years.. I too have struggled with addition too alcohol. Yes you need to keeping blogging about addiction – too many people are lame to the fact that this shit is real..
Thank you for understanding the addict and never giving up on Faye. Love, Love, Love the Wesley family…..
Lauryn, this was such a great read. Thank you for sharing, for speaking with your amazing sister and partner about it.
I would love to discuss gambling addiction – I have a few people in my life who suffer from this addiction and I’d love to hear from a recovering gambling addict if that’s something within reach for you and michael to discuss on a podcast episode.
Again, thank you to your sister and her partner for being so open and honbest.
Thank you for posting his Lauryn! Even as someone who has no idea what dealing with addiction is like, it’s so helpful and empowering to understand what you and your sister have been through. I think it helps me to be better able to take all of your advice – because it’s easy to see your beautiful blog and perfect instagram and think you’ve got this perfect life. It makes you so much more relatable and I think it makes everything you do that much more powerful.
This post is amazing because it’s REAL. It’s so important for people to discuss and acknowledge these issues because those who are dealing with them don’t seek help for fear of being labeled or looked down on.
My partner and I blog about health and fitness, but part of the reason we became so immersed in this lifestyle was my own downward spiral into addiction that took my all the way to rock bottom.
Your sister is an incredible and brave person to share her story, and it’s a huge step into bringing light to such a serious topic that affects so many. So THANK YOU!
Thank you & faye so much for sharing your story. Addiction is such a tricky thing & so hard to understand if it’s never touched you. faye is a shining example of overcoming it. <3
xo,
kaeleen
www,withfignityandcoffee.com
thank you for sharing such intense, and personal experiences. Faye’s really hit home with me. As I listened to the podcast alone in my office I found myself starting to tear up. What a strong woman! Thank you Lauryn for this. Thank you Faye and Johnny for sharing.
SO important to address — particularly in the “always sunny” blogersphere land. And I’m so happy, all involved felt comfortable enough to discuss this. Thanks for lending a voice to this important issue, and wishing everyone well!
What a post, Lauryn! Though I have never had addiction affect me personally I know enough of it. My mum´s dad was an alcohol all her childhood and my mum has told me how hard it was for her growing up with an alcoholic dad. Addiction is such an important issue to discuss, and unfortunately it is often something we do not talk about though we should. I think it is so good you are talking openly about it – and your sister as well. You are both such strong and inspiring women! Especially your sister rocks for being so brave and tell her story!
Thanks for sharing, babe!
This hits close to home! Thanks for sharing Lauryn. My Mom passed away from addiction when I was 20 years old. So happy to hear that your sister has overcame her demons and continues to stay clean! Im sure this helps many families and people who are struggling with addiction.
I love this. I think too frequently we are ashamed of anything related to addiction, and that really prevents us from helping others. I have spent my life dealing with a mother struggling with addiction and although it was awful and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone, it has taught me so much as a person and given me an ability to understand what others struggling with addiction are going through, which is something that I don’t think I could have easily grasped before. Props to you for sharing something so personal, and to your sister for being willing to share her story to help others.
Thank you Lauryn! I feel as though this post was so so needed! So many bloggers/social media post superficial “perfect” lives and this leads to many women feeling alone in struggles or inadequate with just daily life.
I just learned about you and your blog when you were featured on Jackie’s podcast. Reading through your archives today and wow, count me as your newest fan! This was such an incredible post and I relate to so much of it with family members of mine. Proud of you for sharing your story and absolutely I bet it is helping others. xoxo
I loved this podcast and blog post. I am actually in the midst of experiencing this with my baby brother! He is 21 right now and has been struggling since 7th grade. He has been in two rehabs and ran away from his third rehab just last week. Right now he is homeless and no one knows where he is. Me and my family are in the cut off phase and scared to death! But Faye’s story is giving me hope. Thank you!! Xo
I just started listening to the podcast and checking out the blog recently (super late to the party!). But I will say this was one of my favorite episodes. Coming from a family of addicts myself, I loved that your sister is telling her story and that you are sharing the hardship with the world. Thank you both for your realness <3
I’m so, so glad you are open and continue to share your past and reach out to others.
Thank you so much for being so vulnerable and sharing Faye’s (and YOUR) story. My husband is in recovery, and as someone who was pretty sheltered growing up, I didn’t know much about addiction. I’ve always empathized with those who struggled but living it first hand is totally different. Thank you for using your platform to raise awareness about addiction and mental health. There is still such a stigma around these topics, and I feel if more people talk about it the less those who are struggling would feel the need to hide. Thank you for sharing hope!
I am so happy for your sister and your family! I have been following you for awhile now and was surprised to see this post about addiction, my mom opened up a detox facility in south Florida to help the epidemic. My father just recently died in October because he couldn’t overcome the addiction, I think your post was awesome and I look forward to some more posts! If you don’t mind I’m going to post this article on our detox Instagram page for others to read(: (coastaldetox is the Instagram) Coastal is located in Stuart and has helped many people on their road to recovery.
Thanks for this post! I know a lot of women needed to read this. So proud of your sister! Your openness is so refreshing. Xoxo
This blog is amazing, I went through this phase of life. My family suffered a lot because of me. But it’s all good now, I almost quit all the addictions I had. Your blog is very helpful for all addicted people.
Great post! Thank you.
thank YOU <3
It’s very inspiring. I’ve been a follower of your blog and I love everything you published on your site. Thank you for your vulnerability and honesty.
thank you so much for reading <3
Love love loves it. It means a lot to me. So thanks for sharing.
Very adorable pictures.
One other issue is that if you are in a problem where you would not have a cosigner then you may really need to try to exhaust all of your educational funding options. You can find many funds and other scholarships and grants that will provide you with funding to assist with institution expenses. Thanks alot : ) for the post.