A Mother's Story of Addiction, Love, and Healing
Welcome to today’s podcast episode, where we dive into the deeply personal and transformative journey of Janine Züst, a mother, artist, and author who navigated her partner's devastating struggle with addiction. She opens up about the moment everything changed, the hidden weight she carried while raising two young children, and the choice she had to make to protect her family. What followed was a long and emotional path toward healing, one that pushed her to seek support in unexpected places and ultimately inspired her to create a powerful children's book that explains addiction to kids with honesty and heart. Her book has since become a beacon of hope for other families.
In this episode, we also explore the emotional weight of carrying an invisible struggle in a society that often does not understand, the isolation of being a single parent during the pandemic, and the complex grief of loving someone who is still alive but lost to addiction.
“I enjoyed the peace and the quiet and the calm. I was sleeping with my wallet. I was sleeping with my car keys... It was just this constant. I have to hide stuff... So it’s kind of this really you’re not really sleeping even though you learn how to sleep because you’re so exhausted. You are always waking up, looking outside. Is he here, is he there, what is he doing?”
Janine’s story is raw, honest, and filled with moments that will stay with you. It is a reminder that healing is not linear; it is a blend of courage, tenacity, self-care, and community support, all of which became vital in her family's recovery. This conversation invites you into the complexity of loving someone who is lost to addiction and the strength it takes to rebuild your life on the other side.