In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, I sit down with Alyssa Hartley, a mother of two who shares her journey through substance use disorder, motherhood, and recovery. Alyssa opens up about her initiation to substance use at 11 years old, growing up in a Canadian military base where emotions were suppressed, and how her sensitivity and anxiety shaped led her to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism. She vulnerably shares what it looked like to parent while struggling, the turning point during her postpartum period, and the courageous steps she took toward recovery—including seeking medical support, entering detox, and committing to long-term healing. Today, Alyssa is living in sobriety and using her voice to advocate for others walking a similar path.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The link between childhood trauma, emotional suppression, and substance use
2. What addiction can look like in motherhood (and the hidden realities many don’t see)
3. The role of medical support, therapy, and nervous system healing in sustainable recovery

Connect with Alyssa :

TikTok: @foreverfabalyss

Connect with Danik :

1. Therapy for Canadians in Ontario & Quebec : https://www.danikbernier.com
2. Therapist or coach? Join the newsletter to train with Danik New parts work + parenting after childhood trauma goes live in April!

DISCLAIMER:

This podcast episode does not represent a psychotherapy session between the host and the guest. The host does not necessarily share the same opinions as the guest. This podcast is not meant to replace psychotherapy from a licensed mental health professional, does not give medical advice, is not a mental health assessment tool, and does not provide a diagnosis. This podcast is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only.