I lost my family during active addiction, and early sobriety brought new mistakes…

Continue to explore this site to see how consistent, small steps restored trust, respect, and a sense of safety in our family.

The Recovering Relationships Podcast

New Episode

Trust Interupted

We started this podcast because so many of you asked to hear more about our journey — the real, messy, and hopeful work of repairing relationships after addiction. Your curiosity, your questions, and your stories inspired us to open up and share ours.

We will dive into topics close to our hearts: family connection and the ongoing journey of healing, understanding, and rebuilding trust. Our discussions will explore the challenges we face, the lessons we've learned, and the paths to creating a supportive environment for ourselves and our loved ones.

We can’t wait to invite you into these conversations and hope you will find meaning and hope within them

Free Downloads

- Turning Triggers into Transformation

-Five Healing Phrases to Build Trust with Your Partner and Family

Links in Menu above

Alaska NASW and Journey Together TAADAC Conference Slide Presentations

Overcoming the Struggle for Family Reunification in Early Sobriety

Parenting Skills for Recovering Parents

Transformative Strategies for Creating Change and Breaking Cycles of Generational Trauma

A compassionate, practical guide for people in recovery—from addiction, alcoholism, or mental-health challenges—who want to mend the relationships that matter most. With simple, evidence-informed tools—micro-repairs you can use tonight, apology-to-amend scripts, language that lowers the heat, and warm boundaries—this book helps you rebuild trust with family and friends one steady step at a time.

“Janice Dowd has written a masterpiece of a book.” - Maggie W. Banger, LPC-S

Life’s Toughest Climbs Happen Off the Trails

Whether it’s navigating sobriety, rebuilding family trust, or finding peace one step at a time on a forest path, this blog explores what it means to heal, grow, and move forward. From the chaos of addiction to the quiet wisdom of parenting and nature, you’ll discover honest stories, practical tools, and a reminder that every journey, no matter how steep, is worth the climb.

Most recent podcast appearances

Everyday Supermoms with Amy Grace

Rebuilding Relationships After Addiction: Janice Johnson Dowd on Motherhood, Sobriety and Healing

Home Within Family: Heart-Centered Parenting

a subseries of the podcast,

The Home is Within You Podcast by Nadia Davis

It’s My Time Podcast with Asher Tchoua

Reclaim Your Identity with Janice Johnson Dowd

More Podcast Appearances listed in the Menu

This week Amy Grace talks with Janice Johnson Dowd, a licensed social worker, mother of four, and author, to talk about the intersection of motherhood, alcohol use, and recovery. Janice opens up about the early messages she received about “doing it all,” the stress of raising kids while her husband frequently traveled, and the mom-guilt that came with shortcuts like fast food dinners.

Parenting after addiction is repair work. Nadia Davis and I share stories, scripts, and small practices that make families sturdier. Listen, save a tool from the show notes, and DM us your questions for a Q&A episode!

Join us for a candid conversation with Janice V. Johnson Dowd, a mother, social worker, and author who courageously shares her journey through addiction and recovery. She offers a candid glimpse into the challenging process of rebuilding relationships, highlighting the transformative power of her book, "Rebuilding Relationships in Recovery." Discover how she turned her pain into a purpose to help other families heal.

I will be speaking or presenting workshops at the following events;

Journey Together Addiction Professionals Conference

September 2nd - 4th - Cool Springs, TN

Alaska Biennial NASW State Conference

September 25-27, Anchorage, Alaska

Restoring Freedom Recovery Center

October 8th - Amite, LA

Not One More Alabama

Huntsville, AL - November 3rd

VA & Metro DC NASW Annual Meeting

March 2026

I am currently accepting speaking event invitations.

Email Link in Menu

Presentation topics include;

• Breaking Cycles of Generational Trauma - Parenting Skills for Recovering Parents

• The Intersection of Grief and Addiction

• Overcoming the Struggle of Family Reunification

• Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue of Mental Health Professionals

• Making Sense of the Adolescent Brain

• The Suicide Crisis - Current Trends, Prevalence and Evidence-Based Assessment & Treatment

• “Gas Station Drugs”

Whether you're seeking education, motivation, or information, my content is designed to provide you with an uplifting experience.

DISCLAIMER: The following information is intended for general information purposes only. Any application of the material outlined in the following pages is at the reader’s discretion and is their sole responsibility. This blog does not intend to be diagnostic in any way and is not a substitute for a thorough clinical assessment and professional treatment