When I finally found the rooms of Al-Anon, I was broken. I had spent three long years fighting to save my son and had used every tool in my arsenal. I was exhausted and completely without hope. I knew what substance use disorder could do to a person. I had watched it...
“In an addictive or depressed family system, the disease becomes the organizing principle. The affected person becomes the central figure from which everyone else organizes their behaviors and reactions, usually in what is a slow insidious process. Typically...
“You always had the POWER my dear, you just had to learn it for yourself.” -Glinda Wizard of Oz I wish I had learned this a long time ago. I lived most of my life waiting for things to change so I could be happy. As I look back now, I can see that I was...
Several years ago I was involved in the start up of new 12 step recovery meeting for parents. When it was time to come up with a name for our group we unanimously picked, COURAGE TO CHANGE. Over the years, I have thought about how fitting that name was. The definition...
Several years ago when my son was in active addiction, I found myself completely obsessed with him. I went through the motion of going to work, or joining friends for lunch, but all I could think about was my son. As I reflect on that time in my life, I can see that I...