I just heard a mother struggle with saying the words, "My teenage son is addicted to OxiContin." Every parent's worst nightmare and becoming more common to hear. I was sitting in an Alanon meeting. I am always struck by the honesty and courage of parents who have been brought to their knees by the excruciating pain of discovering and witnessing their child's substance abuse.
I started in Alanon almost 36 years ago when I started in Alateen at age 16. I was raised in a home with an alcoholic parent. I still go to Alanon today because it is full of allies of mine- and I do not even know all their names. I still know and love people who struggle with addictions. I need to keep working on my attitude and my own recovery to be present in a healthy way in my life and in the lives of those I love. There is something so viscerally different- feeling it like a knife in your gut-about going to the Alanon program because of a parent, spouse or friend... than going because it is your child.
The challenges of a parent whose child is abusing substances are challenges that no one would ever choose. They enter our lives and the only choice is how are you going to deal with this? What action are you going to take? A good beginning is Alanon http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/ . I took that first step a long time ago and I am so grateful that it has been woven throughout my life. If you supect your child is using drugs, especially life threatening drugs, consult with an expert and get help! The more you know the better chances of making an impact in your child's life.
Check the CATEGORIES and ARCHIVES of this blog {scroll down and they are listed in the left hand column}. You will definitely find some useful tips and tools that I have shared in this blog but learned in the program.
To all those heart rockin' parents with the courage to step up to the challenges of loving a child with a substance abuse problem... this blog's for you,
Anne
Ps To all those parents who continue to delude themselves... Alcohol IS a drug.
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