From Grief to Purpose: A Sister’s Journey Through Addiction, Loss, and Recovery with Amanda Bourque

Thrive While Loving an Addict | Addiction | Sobriety | Recovery | Relapse

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Voices InCourage: Thrive While Loving an Addict, host KL Wells sits down with Amanda Bourque—certified addiction recovery coach and author of Living in My Sister's Shadow. Amanda opens up about her harrowing experience as the sister of an addict, navigating the emotional turmoil of watching her younger sister Jenna battle heroin and fentanyl addiction. Through heartbreak, sleepless nights, and relentless efforts to "save" her sister, Amanda ultimately faced the devastating loss of Jenna—and in the process, found a new mission to help other families heal.

This episode offers a raw look at the emotional toll addiction takes on families and the path toward reclaiming one’s identity and purpose through grief, resilience, and service.

Key Discussion Points:

• Growing up in an abusive household and how early trauma laid the groundwork for addiction.
• Amanda’s emotional rollercoaster: disbelief, anger, desperation, and deep personal sacrifice.
• Enabling behavior from within the family and how it fueled the addiction cycle.
• The moment Amanda realized she had completely lost herself in her sister’s chaos.
• Grieving a sibling lost to overdose and the complexity of unresolved pain.
• The journey from heartbreak to healing and becoming a recovery coach.
• Why families must stop trying to “rescue” and start focusing on healthy boundaries.
• Reclaiming your life while still holding love for someone struggling with addiction.
• The importance of honest conversation, education, and community for families impacted by substance use.

Some Questions I Ask Amanda:

• “Before this, you had never been exposed to addiction?”
• “You gave your sister about two minutes to tell your mom?”
• “In the midst of all this craziness, were you learning about the disease?”
• “How long did you stay in the fight before you chose to step back?”
• “And how does it feel now, on the other side of her passing?”
• “What led you to turn your grief into purpose through coaching and advocacy?”
• “Have you heard of the organization, The Phoenix?”

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• The emotional and psychological impact addiction has on siblings.
• How dysfunctional family systems often unknowingly perpetuate addiction.
• Why setting boundaries is not abandonment—but an act of self-preservation.
• How grief can become a catalyst for powerful transformation.
• The concept of “being addicted to rescue” and how to break the cycle.
• The healing power of storytelling, coaching, and serving others.
• How community-based support and sober events can foster connection and recovery.

Resources & Links:

• Amanda’s Memoir: Living in My Sister's Shadow
• 📚 Available on Amazon
• Amanda’s Website:
• 🌐 soberandbeyond.com
• Contact Amanda:
• 📩 [email protected]
• Community Highlight – New Form (formerly The Phoenix):
• 🌟 Offers free sober community events to support individuals in recovery and their families.

Connect & Share:

If Amanda’s story resonated with you, please share this episode with someone navigating addiction in their family. You are not alone—there is support, hope, and healing available.

🧡 Thank you for listening. Your story matters.

Let’s keep breaking the silence and building bridges to recovery, one conversation at a time.