Every September, Recovery Month offers us a poignant reminder of the challenges, triumphs, and ongoing journey of individuals and families navigating the path of addiction recovery. It's a time to reflect on the impact of substance use disorders, celebrate the strength of those who have chosen the path of recovery, and acknowledge the vital support of families and communities in this journey. My personal story, from a harrowing 15-year battle with opioid addiction to over 37 years of sobriety … [Read more...] about The Transformative Power of Recovery Month: Understanding, Helping, and Celebrating
Helping vs. Enabling
What Do We REALLY Have Control Over?
Although it’s hard for most people to realize they really have no control over other people, we keep trying anyway! The only person any of us have control over is ourselves—over our choices and decisions. Once we truly accept this, life gets much easier. … [Read more...] about What Do We REALLY Have Control Over?
How do you manage the feelings of impending doom?
LF Asks: When your addict is doing well, how do you manage the feelings of impending doom when you predict, like many times before, that it will go off the rails again? Hi LF, In the beginning, when families or other loved ones have the experience of an addict starting to do things differently and getting healthy and things are going well, sometimes the addict is in what we call a pink cloud. Everything is wonderful, they think they will always be in the same place, and everything is going to … [Read more...] about How do you manage the feelings of impending doom?
How can I support my loved one’s recovery without enabling their addiction?
J. asks: How can I support my loved one's recovery without enabling their addiction? And how can I communicate effectively with my loved one about their addiction? Hi J, Those are two great questions that overlap. Let me talk a bit about enabling and the difference between enabling and helping, because they're so important. When we enable someone, especially an addict, we're doing things for them that they need to do for themselves, things that they should be doing for themselves. When we do … [Read more...] about How can I support my loved one’s recovery without enabling their addiction?
Should We Move to Avoid a Trigger?
LL Asks: As my adult child gets off crack, should we move to another apartment so the room where he took drugs is not familiar or a trigger? Hi LL, I’m glad you wrote to me. What I’m hearing from your question is about how you can be most supportive of your son as he tries to get off crack, and I think that it’s terrific that you want to support him. There is nothing wrong with wanting to do that. As for moving to another apartment, if this is something you can afford and you have thought … [Read more...] about Should We Move to Avoid a Trigger?
