ANNIE HIGHWATER’S MISSION
There are more people affected by addiction than addicted. My mission is to promote healthy dialogue and to offer support, information and hope to the stressed out, affected family, partners and friends (the “entourage”) of those in the grips of addiction, alcoholism and SUD.
I believe no one should have to go through it alone.
LATEST EPISODE
HSP Highly Sensitive Persons
The Unhooked podcast! If you have ever been told you are, "Too sensitive," this episode is for you. Being highly sensitive isn't about being emotional. It's about having an acute awareness, a strong sense of intuition, a sharp eye for detail and catching behavior patterns quick, many times before anyone else. This can lead to others dismissing your thoughts, invalidating what you are sensing, and sometimes becoming aggravated and even angry with you over it. It doesn't have to be pain point or a reason to shrink back or feel condemned over what you know you are catching onto. Being highly sensitive (hyper aware) is actually a protection and even a power tool when cultivated and used with wisdom. I share a few situations in my own life when I felt the scorch of disagreement from others when I knew what I knew was a true and real thing. I (Note: t's smart to realize we can always get something wrong, it's good to observe versus hurrying to speak to a thing, I have been stung a time or two making that mistake. You live and learn!) Listen in to this week's episode for experiences as well as tools and tips when it comes to navigating your own experiences with hyper sensitivity, discernment and awareness. Check it out!
Listen to the episode ↗September 23, 2026 · The Unhooked Podcast by Annie Highwater
Books by Annie Highwater
ANNIE HIGHWATER
Unhooked
PUBLISHED 2016 · BOOK
Unhooked: A Mother's Story of Unhitching from the Roller Coaster of Addiction
By Annie Highwater
View book ↗ANNIE HIGHWATER
Unbroken
PUBLISHED 2018 · BOOK
Unbroken, Navigating the Madness of Family Dysfunction, Alcoholism and Addiction
By Annie Highwater
View book ↗
JOURNAL, ARTICLES AND BLOGS
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Companion stories and independent writing by Annie Highwater.
MORNING Routine ↗Quick Tips for Moms, Dads, Partners, Relatives and any other Entourage of a Loved One in Active Substance Use ↗Explore Annie’s writing ↗More conversations.
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September 16, 2026
Tools and Tips for the affected Family Side of the House of addiction and alcoholism
The Unhooked Podcast! "Quick Tips for Moms, Dads, Partners, Relatives and any other entourage of a Loved One in active use" “Until we heal the family system, there is no hope for the person struggling.” ~Ken Seeley I am the family member of someone who suffers with addiction. I have also been through an addiction adjacent experience up close and very personal. I know the ups and downs, the misery in the midnight hour, the high hopes and hopes dashed that one goes through when they love someone caught in the death grip of a substance dependency. That’s why I now openly share our story, our pain and our processes of recovery. Thank goodness for our recovery. In the midst (as well as the aftermath), of some of the worst days of our life as a family, I gathered great strength and wisdom along the way from those who carried me through to a healthier, stronger place. I write and share not as one in recovery from a substance, but as one in recovery from the obsession with someone battling a substance. The goal of my heart as I continue my path to wellness is to share my experience, strength and hope with others who are walking the same bewildering road. I believe it to be crucial; to quote Ram Dass, “We are all just walking each other home.” Check it out!
Listen to the episode ↗September 9, 2026
Principles Over Personalities: When Other People are Pulling Our Strings
THE Unhooked Podcast! “Principles Over Personalities: Stop Letting People Pull Your Strings” Have you ever had somebody ruin your entire day? Sometimes without even being in the room... They said something. They didn’t say something. They criticized, insulted or ridiculed you. They ignored and dismissed you. They lied about you. They misunderstood you. They pushed a button—and suddenly you’re reacting instead of responding. It happens to us all. Listen in for tools and tips from the Rooms of Recovery!
Listen to the episode ↗September 2, 2026
"When You Don’t Know What to Do"
The Unhooked Podcast! "When You Don’t Know What to Do" This is a really strong topic to me… because “I don’t know what to do” is often how we feel and can be the exact place where recovery, faith, and emotional regulation intersect. “What do you do when you don't know what to do?” Sometimes it's a crisis. Sometimes it's a relationship. Sometimes it's a decision you have to make. Sometimes you've done everything you know to do—and nothing seems to be working. And sometimes the hardest thing is that we desperately want an answer right now. Listen in for tools and tips from the rooms of recovery!
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