Mark, Mary, Susan, and David

"Nothing needs transforming as other people's habits."

So Mark Twain has insight into drug usage? Alcohol and immoderate use of tobacco were his vices of choice. Is his quote some form of denial of his own need for transformation?

" When one of us tells the truth, he makes it easier for all of us to open our hearts to our pain and that of others." Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia. (I didn't read it.)

"You just have to let go of your dreams for your child." Susan.

"It is clear that our tasks are not inconsiderable - to step back, be supportive, but let Sarah's recovery be her recovery as we work on creating healthy loving and supportive, but independent, relationships". (Paraphrased from "Beautiful Boy - a father's journey through his son's addiction" by David Sheff).

Perhaps in some unconscious order these quotes take us from falsely knowing that other people must change - to truth and openness - to letting go of contol and dreams - to realizing recovery, while it involves all of us, will ultimately be worked by the recovering addict. We can only work part of the solution.

So tonight I end with a snippet of from a proverb: "... "Happy the man who is always on his guard; but he who hardens his heart will fall into evil." Ominous words but good advice none the less. It is possible to love the addict and hate the addictive disease!

Peace.