We usually hear our 2 year olds strongly exerting their independence by loudly declaring “I can do it myself!!”. We watch them try and fail, then cry with determination the second, third and fourth time “I can do it myself!!”.
I am the proud mother of an alcoholic/addict who has just realized, with your help, that he can not overcome his addiction alone. The most difficult time I have ever faced, with any of my 3 children, has been watching my son declare “I can do it myself” while trying to overcome his addiction. It is painful to see your child, grown or young, learn by paying the penalty for his/her choices in life. This experience becomes “extremely” painful when they repeat this “lie” over and over again, leaving more and more wounds. These wounds are physical and psychological. Guilt, guilt, guilt is the biggest, badest and most unforgiving of these. But, we must stay strong, resilient and wise for the sake of our childrens’ lives. I must say, I have never prayed so hard and so long than for this child of mine.
I was very blessed to have wise counsel from Addiction Counselors and a very special Psychiatrist at Penn Foundation Recovery Center. The most comforting, supportive and wise counselor was our God. God’s comfort, and the supports He gave us, allowed my husband and I to stay on the course for our son’s long, long journey home.
They helped me to understand that there is something you can do. There are ways to make treatment the only option. Do not support any of their actions that will enable them to continue in their addiction!! Do not offer financial help, it will only go to their addiction!! Do not offer a place to live if they have lost housing due to their addiction!!
My precious son has just completed his inpatient program at Penn Foundation and is now participating in outpatient treatment. He is attending an AA meeting every day. He has learned to identify his “triggers”, accepts this is a life long endeavor and works on his recovery “one day at a time”.
We all need to remember and work at practicing that little piece of wisdom with great reward - “One day at a time”.
