Families in Recovery

Yesterday I had the pleasure of presenting a "Family in Recovery" program to a group of people who have either children, spouses or parents in early recovery from addiction. It has been my experience that most families in this situation are struggling for answere and yet blaming themselves. They don't understand why their loved one became addicted and wonder why "they can't just quit". If only it were that easy. Addiction, my friends, is a brain disease that doesn't just stop because a person stops putting drugs in their system. Recovery is a lifetime process which requires hard work. That hard work takes time and unfortunately families sometimes don't understand why their loved one is so wrapped up in getting better. Quite a paradox, the thing they wanted most takes their loved one into a whole new world which initially may not include them. Family education helps with this and support groups for the family, such as ala-non, help even more.

To see the look of understanding, relief and hope on the faces of these families is a joy to behold. I take this opportunity to salute all the families who are in recovery.