EP 47: Parenting Alone in an Alcoholic Marriage? Holiday Exhaustion…..You are NOT Alone!
Are you the only functioning parent in your home during the holidays? Do you carry the entire load—planning, preparing, protecting the kids, managing emotions—while your husband’s drinking increases and his presence decreases?
This episode dives into the heartbreaking exhaustion Christian wives face when they are emotionally and practically parenting alone, even though their spouse still lives in the home. You’ll hear why the holidays intensify this burden, why you feel so drained, and why the invisible load you carry is real, valid, and seen by God.
If you’ve ever collapsed into bed thinking, “I can’t hold this together alone,” this episode will meet you right where you are.
📩 Questions: [email protected]
📅 Book a session: Email to be added to the waiting list.
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Ep 46 Addiction: The Red Flags and How To Recognize it in a Marriage
Are you wondering if your husband’s drinking or behavior has crossed the line from “social” to something more serious? Maybe you’ve ignored the warning signs because you didn’t want to believe you were living with addiction. In this episode, we’re unpacking the red flags of addiction—what they look like in marriage, why we overlook them, and how codependency and love can cloud our judgment.
You’ll learn:
✅ My real definition of addiction—and why it’s not just about how much he drinks or uses.
✅ Why so many wives and partners miss or excuse red flags in early relationships.
✅ Early warning signs that often show up before the problem is fully visible:
• Past attempts at sobriety or rehab stays
• A history of addiction in the family or previous relationships
• Alcohol or drugs present at nearly every social event
• Heavier use than others around him (but hard to see if your circle normalizes drinking)
• Encouraging you to drink or use more than you normally would
We’ll talk about how codependency can disguise itself as love or loyalty—keeping you stuck in denial while addiction quietly takes over your marriage. You’ll also gain biblical insight and emotional tools to start seeing the truth clearly, without shame or fear.
When you understand the red flags of addiction, you can begin replacing confusion with clarity—and take your first step toward peace, wisdom, and recovery for your family.
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Connect & Next Steps
👉 Have a question for a future episode? Email me at [email protected]
👉 Need personal coaching to spot addiction patterns and end codependent cycles? My 1:1 sessions are open with very limited availability. Feel free to email me if everything is booked and we can see what options we can come up with:)
https://calendly.com/wifeontherocks/1hrcoachingsession
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Ep 45 Gaslighting Is the Fuel That Keeps You Stuck in an Endless Cycle of Addiction: The Secret to Breaking Free!
If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “How did I get back to this again?” — this episode is for you. That question means you’ve just gone through the cycle of gaslighting — and you may not even realize it.
In this episode, we break down what gaslighting in an alcoholic marriage really looks like, why it’s so powerful, and how it keeps you trapped in a cycle of confusion, guilt, and self-doubt. You’ll learn how to recognize the cycle, accept what’s happening, and take your first steps toward breaking free through truth and faith.
We’ll cover:
✅ What gaslighting is and how it works in addicted or alcoholic relationships
✅ Why gaslighting leaves you feeling crazy, confused, and stuck in repetitive arguments
✅ The spiritual, emotional, and psychological impact of gaslighting on Christian wives
✅ How to recognize when you’re back in the cycle
✅ The secret to freedom: awareness, acceptance, and faith-led action
When you finally see the cycle for what it is, you can stop spinning in it. You can protect your peace, rebuild your confidence, and walk in the clarity that comes from God’s truth — not the lies of addiction.
Want to connect? Email me at [email protected]
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EP 44 Why Addiction Is Always Dysfunctional: 5 Ways to See It Clearly (Even in High-Functioning Times)
When your husband is struggling with alcohol use, but life still looks mostly normal… it can be incredibly confusing.
He may be:
Holding down a good job
Active in church or community
Present with the kids at times Charming and “fine” around family and friends
And when you express concern?
He says you’re overreacting.
Or that things aren’t that bad.
Or he can stop anytime.
🎯 This is the world of high-functioning alcoholism — where dysfunction hides behind a polished exterior.
You begin to wonder:
Is he really an alcoholic?
Why does his drinking affect me so much?
Am I the problem?
Is this normal for a marriage?
How do I know if his drinking has crossed a line?
In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ How alcohol reshapes your husband’s brain around compulsion and denial
✅ Why gaslighting and blame-shifting increase over time
✅ How family members slip into codependency and survival roles
✅ Why emotional safety declines even before a crisis hits
✅ Five clarity questions to help you see addiction for what it truly is
Even in seasons where he is “high functioning,” alcohol always creates:
Spiritual disconnection
Emotional unpredictability
Increased anxiety for the whole family
Loss of trust, safety, and intimacy Subtle — but escalating — abuse patterns
You do not need rock-bottom to validate your pain. If alcohol is affecting your peace, your marriage, or your children — it is already too much. Your intuition is a gift. You deserve to see the truth clearly.
💛 You Don’t Have to Walk Through This Alone
If anything resonated, I’d love to support you.
I welcome your questions, stories, and prayer requests.
📩 Email me: [email protected] 🗓️ Book a clarity coaching session: https://calendly.com/wifeontherocks/1hrcoachingsession
You are not imagining the dysfunction. You are not overreacting. You are not alone.
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EP 43 Detox & Rehab: How Long Should My Alcoholic Husband Stay?
If your husband is finally getting help for his addiction, you may be wondering: How long should he stay in treatment? 30 days? 60 days? 90 days? Longer? And what does detox have to do with rehab?
Today, we’re breaking down the difference between detox and rehab in a simple, helpful way — and we’ll talk about why staying longer can make a big difference in your husband’s ability to recover well.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
✅ Detox vs. Rehab — why detox alone isn’t enough.
✅ What actually happens in rehab (it’s not just sitting in a room!).
✅ Why 30 days is often just the beginning of healing.
✅ The brain science behind why staying longer improves recovery outcomes.
✅ How treatment gives wives peace of mind and breathing room.
✅ The tension between missing him at home vs. wanting him to fully heal.
✅ Why this moment is a marathon — not a sprint.
I also share my own experience of what it felt like when my husband was finally in a safe place getting help — the relief, the emotional crash, the grief for my kids — and how I learned to stay focused on the long-term goal, not the quick fix.
Because while it is hard to solo parent and navigate the emotional rollercoaster of treatment… you have prayed for this moment. And now is not the time to rush the healing.
Sobriety isn’t surface-level change. Recovery means going deep enough to face the root. And sometimes… that takes more time.
✨ LAST CALL: Holiday Survival Course
There are 3 live sessions still coming up, and you’ll receive instant access to the first two via recording — plus all the printable resources, homework, and support materials inside the private course hub.
If you want practical support and spiritual strength throughout this holiday season, I’d love to help you stay grounded in God’s peace and protect what matters most.
👉 Join the Holiday Survival Course here: https://calendly.com/wifeontherocks/holiday-survival-course.
💌 Have a question for a future episode or want to share what God is doing in your life? Email me anytime at: [email protected]
Need personal support? 1:1 coaching spots are open now — link in the show notes to schedule! https://calendly.com/wifeontherocks/1hrcoachingsession
You’re not alone in this, friend. There is hope — and healing — even here. Take a breath. Let’s walk this together. 💛
About Wife On The Rocks I Gaslighting, Addiction, Codependency, Al Anon, Alcoholism, Recovery
Did you marry the man of your dreams, only to now find alcohol seeping into every part of your family? As a woman of faith, committed to your vows, do you struggle to walk out your convictions amidst the chaos and confusion that has devastated your marriage? Do you wish you had someone to confide in without judgment, consequences later or let’s be honest, hearing the worst advice EVER from well meaning people? Despite your relentless efforts, do you feel betrayed, stuck in a cycle, praying for a breakthrough and wondering if things really will be ok? This is how everything was in my marriage for SO long!! I get it!
In this podcast you will find hope regardless of your current situation. As you tune in each week your spirit will be lifted as you recognize that you are NOT in this battle alone. You will come to know that only through Him can you learn to model a much needed peaceful presence to your children, whose little hearts are also wondering if things will be ok. My mission is to share my experience, strength and hope with women like me who are praying for breakthrough. The Lord’s light shines even in the darkness of addiction, and the darkness cannot overcome it.
I am a wife, a homeschooling momma, and a woman who has learned that nothing is impossible for God. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t had to learn all of this while withstanding circumstances that I would have rather avoided - but then would my faith be this strong without all the trials? You might listen and mistakenly assume that I have it “all figured out”, because if I am honest, I still can’t figure out how to keep track of my phone most days. However, I , without a doubt, have found a peace that surpasses understanding and I want to share everything God has taught me with you as you navigate this road as well. I have found that applying the Bible to my situation allows me to shift my eyes off the problem and to refocus on my God who can redeem and restore otherwise hopeless situations. Psalms 55:22 tells us, “Cast your burdens on the Lord and he will sustain you. He will not permit the righteous to be moved”.
In the eye of the storm it is hard to have a right perspective when everyday you are walking on eggshells trying to keep your family together! I have a suspicion that I am not alone here and if you can relate with anything I have said, then this podcast is for you. Nothing changes if nothing changes, right? :) So, if you are ready to experience some breakthrough, listen up. You do not have to do this alone and you didn’t find this podcast by accident.
Take a deep breath even when it seems impossible. Be willing to trust that God can do more than you even imagine.....right where you are today which is so far from where you wanted to be. I know you are running everywhere and doing everything for everyone, but THIS moment of rest is for you! Allow me to serve you a little peace on the rocks.
Listen to Wife On The Rocks I Gaslighting, Addiction, Codependency, Al Anon, Alcoholism, Recovery, Just Between Us with Jennifer Zamparelli and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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