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...
When I started attending recovery meetings for family members affected by someone else’s addiction, something became clear to me pretty quickly: I had no idea how to communicate in a healthy manner. The communication that had taken place in my marriage when alcoholism...
Currently there is a situation in my life that doesn’t have any direct impact on me, and yet it’s been on my mind and on my heart. Someone I love is struggling. It’s deep and painful, and it’s difficult to watch. I’ve often thought that if I had to choose between...
“As a child of God, I am all I need to be – loving, lovable, and splendid.” –Courage to Change, p.143 Alcoholism taught me a lot of false truths from a young age. When my father left to be with a woman he met in a bar, I believed I must not be very important. ...
Broken trust. It’s the primary issue that family members talk about when they discuss what’s been the most difficult for them when they’ve been impacted by the disease of addiction. They want to trust their loved ones again. Their loved ones want to be trusted. ...
Those who are new to family recovery are often surprised to hear members introduce themselves as “grateful members” of Al-Anon or Nar-Anon. In the midst of the chaos and struggles that often accompany alcoholism and addiction, what is there to be grateful for? It’s...
