On this week’s episode of the Nutters Club the show looked at estrangement, grief, addiction, and what is sometimes described as “living loss.”
“Living loss” often occurs when addiction, dementia, severe mental illness or trauma fundamentally changes a person. Families can experience profound grief even though the person they love is still physically present. Unlike bereavement after death, this kind of grief is often hidden and misunderstood. Morrison described it as “disenfranchised grief”, pain that society does not always recognise or validate.
Callers shared their stories of fractured relationships with children, parents and partners. One caller spoke about decades of struggling to support a son living with schizophrenia, describing the emotional toll of watching him refuse treatment and drift in and out of contact. Another caller described being cut off from her daughters and grandchildren for more than 25 years, a loss that continues to affect her mental health daily.
Listeners also discussed the difficult balance between caring for others and protecting themselves. Morrison emphasised that many people eventually reach a point where they must establish firm boundaries for their own wellbeing, particularly when addiction or abusive behaviour dominates family life. She described the process as “heart on, hands off” — continuing to care emotionally while stepping back from trying to control another person’s actions.
A recurring theme throughout the night was guilt. Parents questioned whether they had somehow caused their child’s addiction or mental illness, while estranged family members struggled with feelings of rejection and shame. Callers were encouraged to seek support for themselves, stressing the importance of self-care and connection through organisations like Yellow Brick Road and Al-Anon.
Resilience was also highlighted and championed. Callers spoke about rebuilding their lives, leaning on friendships and support networks, and learning to grieve while still finding moments of joy and purpose. The episode served as a reminder that estrangement and living loss are far more common than many realise, and that talking openly about them can help reduce the isolation that often accompanies these experiences.
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