I used to hear a “Progress not perfection” concept tossed around when I was early in my parent of addict recovery. At that time I felt “sobriety” was a black and white thing. Either our children were sober or not. I was learning back then and perhaps a bit rigid in my recovery beliefs. I [...]
p. 18 Big Book of Alcoholics Anoymous An illness of this sort—and we have come to believe it an illness—involves those about us in a way no other human sickness can. If a person has cancer all are sorry for him and no one is angry or hurt. But not so with the alcoholic illness, [...]
arents new to addiction are taught, “addict’s manipulate”. This is a truism. What you probably won’t be told is that “Parents of Addicts manipulate too.” To “fix” our kids, we try every trick found in our parent manipulation bag. I know I did. I used to rationalize my manipulation by thinking; “Desperate times call for [...]
He is wiser now and understands how to avoid the fights, the drug seeking, the escape attempts, and drama that occurs in all detox facilities. “I fly below the radar and have limited conversation other than in meetings.”
Tough love is not meant to be punitive! Tough love is enforcing techniques and therapies that can help your addicted child, while loving them unconditionally the entire time. It is much like the loving parent spooning a nasty tasting cold medicine to their baby. We spoon this tough love to our addict child and in our heart and head, understand that it is the medicine they need.