Addiction is YES, A family disease! It kills the brain, but it can heal if one chooses to stay sober, families can eventually make a mends, and the addict can live a healthy and successful life! Oh but wait, there was no magic wand to make this happen right away. It takes months and years of AA and/or NA meetings, and like my son said "find and pray to his higher power". The way the doctor explained this disease is that when a non-addict drinks he/she can turn off the desire. Where as an addict, can never turn off the desire part if the brain. Hense why addicts often say, "I'm going to die if I don't use." The On botton is always on.
The emotions that I had when I started this journery, immediately came back, but this time they were worse then before! We had a family therapy session where we found out secrets my son has been hiding. I was shocked when I heared some of the issues, for example the drugs he took. It included smoking pills to Acid. What I did find interesting, was while he was using, he didn't see himself as an addict, because he used socially with friends. To him addicts were people who used alone in their rooms. Now he realized he's an addict no matter who your with or where you use. One secret that he was holding in for a very long time was when he attempted to reach out to his bio-father. The jerk (addict) told him some horribles lies and blamed my son for problems in his life. Mind you, the jerk never met my son and ran when I told him I was 6 weeks pregnant. Ohhhhh, I was upset alright, not at my son but the donor! I kept telling myself, the donor is an addict, he's going to blame everyone else for his problems!
My son has accepted this disease that has been inherited. The donors side and my family. Addiction affects all walks of life, race, and genders. We had to cut our afternoon outing short, because he wanted to attend his AA meeting. He felt at home with all these recovering addicts. They were all relating to each other; holding each other accountable.
My sister asked, "so did they all look like junkies?" I was suprised by her question but soon realized she had a one track mind. I told her "did Kris look like a junkie?" That made her realize what we see on the streets or tv isn't what all addicts look like. Addicts come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and family history. They all share one common disease, addiction.
He's moved into the sober living home and will receive his 30 day sobriety coin and tag.
I have fears of what is yet to come but i also have hopes for his success at sobriety. In Alanon (yes I found meetings that I like) we discuss "accept the things I can not change." I can't change his disease and the influences that may contribute, but what I can change is my attitude and behavior. As a mom its hard not to say,"yes, but...."This is usually followed by "but i don't think....". I need to detach myself from the addiction and his thinking of what's best for him.
I'm too in recovery, trying to work my steps of Alanon, one day at a time.
My son has accepted this disease that has been inherited. The donors side and my family. Addiction affects all walks of life, race, and genders. We had to cut our afternoon outing short, because he wanted to attend his AA meeting. He felt at home with all these recovering addicts. They were all relating to each other; holding each other accountable.
My sister asked, "so did they all look like junkies?" I was suprised by her question but soon realized she had a one track mind. I told her "did Kris look like a junkie?" That made her realize what we see on the streets or tv isn't what all addicts look like. Addicts come in all shapes, colors, sizes, and family history. They all share one common disease, addiction.
He's moved into the sober living home and will receive his 30 day sobriety coin and tag.
I have fears of what is yet to come but i also have hopes for his success at sobriety. In Alanon (yes I found meetings that I like) we discuss "accept the things I can not change." I can't change his disease and the influences that may contribute, but what I can change is my attitude and behavior. As a mom its hard not to say,"yes, but...."This is usually followed by "but i don't think....". I need to detach myself from the addiction and his thinking of what's best for him.
I'm too in recovery, trying to work my steps of Alanon, one day at a time.
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