For those who care about someone struggling with drugs, alcohol, and addiction, there are things you can say and do that make recovery possible! Change is absolutely possible!
Shock, fear, blame, confusion, desperation, isolation, guilt, trying to fix and control are some of the many reactions when we love someone engaging in dangerous substance use, in addiction, even after treatment. We wait for the next shoe to drop. Fear runs our lives. When I found my life consumed by my loved one's addiction, I really didn't understand it as a family disease. And like with any other disease, we can treat it, there are options.
Family is an option with great influence, and great love. We need our own healing. We need skills. We need tools and supports. We need to know how to love that is not mainstream, and that is specialized to the needs of addiction. Why? Because we become available, resilient, stronger for ourselves and for our loved ones, we can get our lives back, and be in a better position to help our loved ones get theirs back too. When in your own healing and recovery, it hopefully looks like getting education, and support to move forward with what you can do, and what can help you, and your loved one. It's about the ways of healing, transformation and hope. It's about getting out of the problem and into solutions.
You can restore connection with your loved one, you can communicate effectively without arguments, and you can develop the skills to help in ways that are helpful, and that contribute to recovery. Are there guarantees? Not about another person's journey. We don't even have them about our own journeys. We're not the rulers of the universe but we can co-create along with our higher power. As family members, when you know you're healing and contributing to possibility, your life improves, and that has a ripple effect into the family, into the world around you. You have great purpose! This is Love in Action!
Research shows that when family members focus on their own healing and recovery, they become the best chance for their loved one to choose and maintain their own. You are your loved one's best chance at recovery.
Only one person needs to begin this process. I invite you to be that one.
Family is an option with great influence, and great love. We need our own healing. We need skills. We need tools and supports. We need to know how to love that is not mainstream, and that is specialized to the needs of addiction. Why? Because we become available, resilient, stronger for ourselves and for our loved ones, we can get our lives back, and be in a better position to help our loved ones get theirs back too. When in your own healing and recovery, it hopefully looks like getting education, and support to move forward with what you can do, and what can help you, and your loved one. It's about the ways of healing, transformation and hope. It's about getting out of the problem and into solutions.
You can restore connection with your loved one, you can communicate effectively without arguments, and you can develop the skills to help in ways that are helpful, and that contribute to recovery. Are there guarantees? Not about another person's journey. We don't even have them about our own journeys. We're not the rulers of the universe but we can co-create along with our higher power. As family members, when you know you're healing and contributing to possibility, your life improves, and that has a ripple effect into the family, into the world around you. You have great purpose! This is Love in Action!
Research shows that when family members focus on their own healing and recovery, they become the best chance for their loved one to choose and maintain their own. You are your loved one's best chance at recovery.
Only one person needs to begin this process. I invite you to be that one.
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For You: increased clarity relieving fear and worry loving, compassionate connection doable actions more effective communication a better ability to let go of control inner peace |
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Joanne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie, and a Certified Family Recovery & Life Coach. Her mission and joy is to help families empower their love and inspire recovery, to heal, find peace, and to find joy again in their lives. Drugs don't win here. Love does! |
Free Articles and Exercises
Other practices that really support your overall health and inner peace are: relaxation breathing/meditation, exercise, clean eating with minimal processed foods and organic when possible, drinking plenty of water, being in nature, connecting with friends, being of service/volunteering, finding a higher power from your own understanding, having a sleep routine, reading and watching inspirational media and/or something that inspires laughter and fun, listening to music, writing, practicing gratitude, and the 12 steps.
Please share your ideas. I'd love to hear them and add them to the list.
Please share your ideas. I'd love to hear them and add them to the list.
Why we share the love!
"Indeed my life is mellower due to you and your course."
"I have been an Alanoner for a long time but have to say Joanne's class has added so much to my life, I can barely explain it. It brought all those years of meetings, counseling, etc. together. Thanx Joanne again."
"Thank you Joanne. You have helped me so much to question my thoughts and beliefs. I have been living in such a hopeless dark place and doing this work with you has helped me re-think everything."
"It’s like coming out of the darkness and into the light. It’s changing all my relationships."
"I got my momentum since I'm in this class. I'm in the best place I've been in 4-5 years. I have my self-esteem back and I'm not depressed anymore."
"It’s really helping me to connect with my son, see how beautiful he is, and relieve my worrying. I'm not as angry anymore, I'm accepting him more, and feel less tension between us. Thank you Joanne!"
"Indeed my life is mellower due to you and your course."
"I have been an Alanoner for a long time but have to say Joanne's class has added so much to my life, I can barely explain it. It brought all those years of meetings, counseling, etc. together. Thanx Joanne again."
"Thank you Joanne. You have helped me so much to question my thoughts and beliefs. I have been living in such a hopeless dark place and doing this work with you has helped me re-think everything."
"It’s like coming out of the darkness and into the light. It’s changing all my relationships."
"I got my momentum since I'm in this class. I'm in the best place I've been in 4-5 years. I have my self-esteem back and I'm not depressed anymore."
"It’s really helping me to connect with my son, see how beautiful he is, and relieve my worrying. I'm not as angry anymore, I'm accepting him more, and feel less tension between us. Thank you Joanne!"
Spreading Peace Together
Each time you invest in yourself through one of the programs, 10% of your contribution goes towards a non-profit initiative for drug awareness, prevention and treatment.
You’re not only helping yourself, you’re also helping others along the way.
Each time you invest in yourself through one of the programs, 10% of your contribution goes towards a non-profit initiative for drug awareness, prevention and treatment.
You’re not only helping yourself, you’re also helping others along the way.