They say that addiction is a family affair, like tentacles that spread and leech into every area of family life, shifting the family dynamics. It is like a tsunami that sweeps over the family, taking their breath away as they trudge through external and internal effects, trying not to sink beneath the blackness it leaves behind. Like the sea erodes the land, so addiction erodes the lives of those caught up in it.
Addiction creates deep emotional wounds for the addicted and for their family and friends.
It could be your husband or wife, son or daughter, brother, sister, your own parent, friend, or neighbour. The truth is, we don’t choose who they are. It is a hidden secret and you are caught up in the cycle. It is not your addiction but theirs, yet you are there with them every dark step of the way
You experience sadness, worry, anger, betrayal, disappointment, and loss.
Each time a relapse occurs, it is like a slap in the face or a punch in the stomach. Trust is broken again and again, leaving you heavy and exhausted. Attachments are severed, relationships are broken, communication is silent, finances are scattered, and so many losses pile up.
You and the family are often at a loss, unsure what to do or how to do it. You are left with a deep sense of helplessness and powerlessness.
- How many families are living with addictions, and are you one of them?
- How does a family living with addiction find hope, resilience, and normalcy? How did you find it?
- Where did you get the strength to face each day?
- Who are your balcony people, the ones who cheer you on and offer encouragement and support on the days when you can’t find it for yourself?
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