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Addiction & Relationships: How to let go of an addict?
Addiction & Recovery | Last Active: Feb 18, 2012 | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
Addiction robs a person of so many things including self worth and it takes a committment and consistent work to recover and it is possible. Sometimes a person needs to hit rock bottom before they become willing to do whatever it takes to stay clean. As for you, you sound like you have done your share to be supportive but you should never work harder than the person with the addiction. I would advise you to make sure you are being good to yourself and sometimes this means taking a step back and focusing on self. Your partner needs to accept his illness/addiction and make the proper choices for himself.
Nothing is impossible in life and I know of many former opiate addicts who have been in recovery for over two decades and work in the field and give others hope.
Be good to yourself!
Rox
Replies to "Addiction robs a person of so many things including self worth and it takes a committment..."
Hi Again,
You have to take care of yourself first. Being in love and in a relationship is not supposed to cause so much pain. I am a huge advocate for person with illnesses and addiction is a disease but it is a treatable disease when and if the individual wants the treatment. He may not be ready and that is ok but you should not put your life on hold waiting for him to seek help. And, he has to seek help for himself. Again, the best you can do is love yourself and take measures to protect yourself. I know how it feels to love someone who simply loved his beer and did not see that a beer for breakfast was a problem. I was in my teens and I had to let him go. We are both in our forties and his beer is still part of his life but my daughter and I are not. Sometimes we have to make difficult choices in an effort to have a drama free life.
You would benefit from a support group or counseling because the fact that you are suffering is not good.
Take care & god bless
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Roxie43
Thanks. I'm trying to be good to me, it's just hard. I'm still working harder then him, and that's a slap in the face, but no more of that. I just feel like he is still living in denial. I've focused on him for so long, it seems I've forgotten how to focus on myself.