Episode Summary

Recovery isn’t a solo journey—it’s a family transformation. This profound conversation with addiction specialists Madison Burke and Henry Maxwell from Maxwell Recovery Services reveals how the healing process must extend beyond the individual to encompass the entire family system.

Madison shares her personal story of using substances to escape reality after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12. Her recovery journey illuminated how addiction manifested not just in substances but in relationships and work—”it ran through my veins in everything that I did.” Henry describes his path from IV heroin addiction at 17 to becoming a recovery professional, explaining the powerful “outside-in paradigm” that drives addictive behavior: the desperate attempt to fill internal wounds with external solutions.

The specialists offer a revolutionary perspective on family involvement in recovery. Rather than viewing the person struggling with addiction as “the problem,” they advocate for seeing addiction as a family system issue requiring everyone’s participation in the healing process. Madison notes how families often orbit around the person in crisis, leaving them unsure of their identity when that person enters treatment. This insight reveals why family members need their own recovery work—not just for their wellbeing, but as a powerful model that “makes an impact” on their loved one’s journey.

Perhaps most helpfully, they reframe the concept of boundaries as “limits”—recognizing when we’ve reached the end of what we can safely provide rather than attempting to control outcomes. Modern interventions have evolved far beyond the dramatic confrontations portrayed in media, now emphasizing collaboration, transparency, and “leading with love” while maintaining necessary limits. The experts share that these conversations often go more smoothly than anticipated because the person struggling may secretly want help but doesn’t know how to ask.

For families feeling overwhelmed, the message is clear: you’re not supposed to know how to handle addiction. The healing begins by reaching out for professional guidance, building community, and developing the skills to cultivate resilience. Despite the challenges, addiction is highly treatable, with recovery possible for both individuals and their families when they embrace the journey from chaos to strategy, from crisis to connection.

What step will you take today toward your family’s healing journey?