Do You Feel Like You’re Simply Existing?

If You’ve Lost a Loved One to Addiction, You’re Not Alone

Hi, I’m Andrea Magder. I created Ethan’s Harbor in memory of my son, Ethan, whom I lost to addiction in 2017. I know firsthand how overwhelming and isolating this kind of loss can be because I’ve been there myself. When my son passed away after nearly a decade of struggling with addiction, that experience changed me forever.

Through my own healing process, I realized how hard it is to find support that truly understands the unique grief that comes with losing someone to addiction. It’s not just the heartbreak of their loss, it’s also about grappling with guilt, stigma, and the challenge of rediscovering yourself after years of caregiving and worry.

After my son’s passing, I founded The Artist Lives Gallery, a non-profit dedicated to showcasing the work of artists, musicians, and writers who were never recognized in their lifetimes. Creating this space to honor unrecognized talent helped me channel my grief into something meaningful, and it’s also what inspired me to become a grief coach.

I realized that, while creating the gallery gave me a sense of purpose, many others were still struggling with the same feelings of isolation and loss I had experienced. I wanted to use my personal journey to help guide them through theirs.

While grief changes us, it can also reveal a depth of resilience and strength we didn’t know we had. I hope to help you uncover that strength, and find meaning in your journey.

  • Grief often feels overwhelming, no matter how your loved one passed, but when that loss is due to addiction, it carries a unique and heavy burden. It’s not just the pain of their absence, but you’re also left carrying the weight of their struggles and the memories of what they endured. The emotional rollercoaster of regret and heartache can leave you feeling lost and drained, often making it feel impossible to bear alone.

My Coaching Method

  • Self Care

    We’ll work together to come up with a self-care routine that will be simple for you to follow. This will involve strategies to improve your sleep , eating healthy foods, and finding ways to stay physically active. Additionally, we’ll explore emotional self-care techniques, such as meditation, journaling or other creative outlets, that can be integrated into your daily routine.

  • Find a Purpose

    Losing a loved one to addiction brings a mix of complex emotions, including exhaustion and guilt. It can feel like you’ve lost a piece of yourself after dedicating so much time to their care. I will help you rediscover your identity and find purpose by helping you reconnect with old passions or discover new ones.

  • Discover Creativity

    In grief, it's common to feel lost or aimless. A creative project provides structure and something to focus on, even for small periods. This can be anything from a new hobby like journaling, photography to painting or knitting. These activities provide achievable goals, no matter how small, offering moments of progress that may feel difficult to find in other areas.

  • Start Moving Forward

    Moving forward and living your life doesn’t mean forgetting about your loved one. It's natural to feel like you're barely staying afloat, but every step you take is progress, no matter how small. When you feel overwhelmed and unable to focus, establishing simple routines can give you some clarity. It won't be easy, but remember every small step forward is progress in the right direction.

How You Can Benefit From Coaching                                                                                                                                    

Unlike traditional grief counseling, which focuses on processing and understanding your emotions, grief coaching offers a more hands-on, action-oriented approach. It’s not about “getting over” your loss—it’s about learning how to live alongside it.

What many people don’t realize is that losing a loved one to addiction isn’t just about mourning their loss—it’s also about rediscovering yourself. When your focus has been on their needs, their recovery, and their pain for so long, it’s easy to lose sight of your own identity. After they’re gone, you might feel uncertain about who you are outside of that role.

As a certified grief coach, and someone who has also lost a loved one to addiction, I deeply understand how isolating and overwhelming this type of loss can be. I’ll be here to support you as you navigate the challenges that come with this unique and devastating loss.

Together, we’ll uncover what brings meaning to your life and work on reconnecting with clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.