Watching someone you love struggle with addiction or alcoholism is extremely painful. I often liken it to watching someone dig a deep hole. I look into the hole of addiction and there they are: this person I love dearly. In the beginning I might not even notice that...
“With dignity we will stand for ourselves, but not against our fellows.” -“From Survival to Recovery” I entered the rooms of family recovery meetings with many figurative bumps and bruises. I had tried every angle to find a way for my loved one to get help for their...
The first time I went with my husband to his side of the family for the holidays, I struggled. Although my family was far from perfect, the holidays were something that I felt we did really well. Even in my adult years, my mom always waited until everyone was asleep...
On a recent trip home I got to join my family for their weekly breakfast. The waitress took everyone’s order, and then looked to me for mine. I had no idea what my order would be, as I didn’t have a menu. Everyone else knew everything on the menu! So, when I asked her...
There was a period in my life where I spent most of my time doing one of two things: I was either worrying to extremes, or praying about what I was worrying about. My prayers were desperate. I often prayed “Please let him come home safely.” Sometimes I prayed for...
Step 11: “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.” Like many family members experiencing the impact of alcohol and drug...
