Podcast Episode Description:

In this episode of the Break Free From Addiction Podcast, Barry Gregory, Ed.D., M.Ed., BA, a professional recovery coach, challenges the outdated “tough love” approach and introduces SMART Love — a smarter, evidence-based way families can support a loved one with addiction without enabling.

Discover why tough love often backfires by increasing shame, isolation, secrecy, and despair, and learn the five pillars of SMART Love:

• S: Support without Enabling
• M: Motivation through Empathy + Boundaries
• A: Accountability with Respect
• R: Resilience for the Family
• T: Tools Based on Evidence (not emotion)

Dr. Barry shares powerful motivational strategies and cognitive reframes to stop enabling and rescuing thoughts and beliefs, practical SMART Love scripts you can use today, and why connection, compassion, and clear boundaries are the real keys to lasting recovery.

Tough love pushes people away. SMART Love brings them closer — and closer to healing and recovery. A must-listen for anyone supporting a loved one through addiction. For more information about smart love and recovery coaching, call us directly at 561-685-0555. Send comments and feedback to barrygregory1955@gmail.com.

This episode of the Break Free from Addiction Podcast introduces the Smart Love approach, an Informative, compassionate, and empowering approach for parents and families coping with a loved one's active addiction. Host Dr. Barry Gregory Ed.D., M.Ed., BA explains that common "rescuing" behaviors stem in part from deep fear, guilt, and trauma-driven thoughts and beliefs (informed by CBT), which, though loving in intent, often enable the addiction and delay recovery.

Smart Love shifts the focus from fear-based rescuing to smart love strategies, emphasizing the need to set firm, loving boundaries (which are seen as protection, not abandonment) and allow natural consequences to motivate change. Drawing on principles from evidence-based practices, the episode provides practical strategies like stopping financial enabling, replacing lecturing with listening, and prioritizing self-care, ultimately helping the family reclaim peace and foster a path toward genuine recovery for both the loved one and themselves.

Benefits of Recovery Coaching: ⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HyZGkQSC7GbcWZ3W3365BiyG7UigCdgK4LtT07Z83f8/edit?usp=sharing⁠

Tips and Tools For Parents Worksheet

⁠⁠https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rgtnRcKz6VAT2EqlRXgkStCD7CxF8XIyrHD_9-HsTJc/edit?usp=sharing⁠⁠

Contact Information

Barry M. Gregory Ed.D., M.Ed., BA

Recovery Coach Trainer and Consultant

Phone: 561-685-0222

Email: ⁠barrygregory1955@gmail.com⁠

Call or Text For A Complimentary Consultation or For Meeting Resources In Your Community