Can we speak about Drug addicts as well? - Al-Anon Family Group

Shazz · Newbie

Can we speak about Drug addicts as well?

Breakingfree · ~*Service Worker*~

I was raised by addicts and married an alcoholic, you can discuss all that here at MIP. I found face to face meetings to help me learn as much as I could about the disease and my connection to it. Keep coming back!

Shazz · Newbie

I definitely will. I honestly don't know how to start a discussion with him regarding my concerns. Is it realistic to believe we can avoid it getting worse if I voice my concerns?

I'm truly a novice with all this so I apologize for my naivety. I researching addiction, symptom's etc to be well informed.

Any advice as to how to talk with him?

Breakingfree · ~*Service Worker*~

A book "Getting Them Sober" by Toby Rice Drews helped me learn about addict/alcoholics and helped me to better understand how to communicate with my loved ones. I dug into readings and meetings because I had already said everything I wanted and more to no avail.

Shazz · Newbie

I'm definitely going to get that book. Thank you..

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

I got into Al-Anon dumb as a stick not knowing about alcoholism or drug addiction though I was born and raised within the disease. Living that way was normal. My relationships were with addicted people and I married women I drank with up to and including now to a wife who doesn't drink or use and has been affected with it in here family. Yes this is a good place if not also great place to speak up and ask and relate. Addiction is Addiction and has very similar behaviors in all...it is a disease of the mind, body, spirit and emotions. Al-Anon is where God plopped my butt when God wanted me sane and serene...I'm staying put thank you as I got my life back...sober and serene one that is. (((((hugs))))) smile

Mattie · ~*Service Worker*~

Welcome. I think we probably have all told our addicts about our concerns. I haven't heard of any cases in which it has helped, because by the time we notice things, that have been dealing with them for quite some time. And denial (even to themselves) is at the very heart of addiction. But generally we feel we ought to try, if only to satisfy our wondering whether it would help. The sad fact is that addiction is very very strong, and the only thing that really helps, if anything does, is the addict coming to realize what a huge mess his drinking or drugging has caused for himself. Sadly, us pointing it out doesn't have the necessary impact. They have to experience it for themselves. And often they do not do that on the timeline we would like, if they ever do.

That's the bad news. The good news is that we can live happy and serene lives whether or not they find recovery. Al-Anon offers us the tools to do this. It isn't instantaneous, and there aren't a set of written-out rules to follow - but meetings and literature and these boards can start to show the way. Hope you'll keep coming back.

lookingup · ~*Service Worker*~

I really like Mattie's view on this ,so true ,we can only truly change ourselves ,our thinking toward the a ,our actions ,one of alanons slogans I just read is.....what can we change about ourselves in alanon? Answer....EVERYTHING .......Hugs Lu

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.