I Married A Junkie

Testimonial for Dr. Cali Estes and I Married a Junkie and testimonial for training courses. 

That’s when I discovered Dr. Cali Estes — and everything changed.

The training I received through Dr Cali Estes was exceptional. Not only did it equip me with the technical and clinical skill set to offer safe, structured, professional support — it also gave me a trauma-informed frameworkfor understanding what lies beneath addiction. Her courses combine science with empathy, clarity with compassion. They allowed me to go from instinctively helping people to being able to provide real, grounded, accountable care. I understood addiction differently. I understood myself differently. And I learned how to show up for others in ways that were effective, ethical, and sustainable.

Despite having somehow escaped the grips of addiction myself — which I consider a miracle, given the trauma in my family history — I’ve lived surrounded by dysfunction. I needed answers. I wanted to understand. And through Dr. Cali’s training, I found a roadmap.

Reading I Married a Junkie by Dr. Cali Estes over the weekend was nothing short of transformative. It’s not just a book — it’s a trauma-informed lens into the heart of addiction, codependency, and survival. As someone who grew up in Ireland, a country steeped in generational trauma and silence around mental health, I was deeply moved by how directly and honestly Dr. Cali addresses the roots of addiction. Her voice is fierce, clear, and incredibly compassionate.

I fell into this work almost by accident. In Los Angeles, a city where people rescue dogs, I found myself rescuing humans. Friends in the entertainment industry, some celebrities, others just deeply lost — I was often the one quietly taking their car keys, persuading them not to drive under the influence, or ready to call the police if it meant saving a life. I realized quickly that what I was doing was intervention, and what I needed was a deeper understanding of trauma, addiction, and recovery.

That led me to train under Dr. Cali Estes. Her courses gave me language, insight, and a professional structure for something I had already been doing intuitively. Despite having never struggled personally with addiction — which feels like a miracle given my own trauma history — I’ve been surrounded by addiction, dysfunction, and pain. I wanted tools. I wanted understanding. And Dr. Cali delivered both.

Her book, like her training, is personal and powerful. It reminded me that behind her unmatched professionalism is a woman who has lived, endured, and come out the other side to lead with purpose. Sometimes I forget that, because she operates at the top of her field with such strength and poise.

I now occasionally contract — under very specific circumstances — as a sober companion through Dr. Cali Estes exclusively. I would not work for any other agency. There’s been a disturbing explosion of fly-by-night sober companion companies competing on price alone, and let me say clearly: this is not the space to cut corners. A detox nurse for a week must be followed by a sober companion. This is a continuum of care — not a luxury service, but a life-saving intervention.

I bring with me a unique combination: a strong clinical background, a deep understanding of trauma-informed care, and first-hand knowledge of the pressure that comes with fame, having worked in global entertainment. I’ve supported comedians on tour, artists in crisis, and individuals in recovery who need discreet, compassionate, firm support.

If you are a family member impacted by addiction, if you’ve attended Al-Anon, if you work in healthcare or media or law or simply love someone who struggles — I cannot recommend this book or Dr. Cali’s training highly enough. I Married a Junkie isn’t just a memoir. It’s a manual for empathy, resilience, and professional excellence.