Nothing was intentionally wrong in the last blog. What we thought was the situation was not. Not clean. Not healthy. Not honest. Not out of danger.Neither the circumstances nor the details matter, just the status. Sarah is alive and in a detox facility having survived another overdose. She was revived by EMTs and was taken to the hospital, then released. Kept using, came home to Indiana, went back to Michigan, and continued to use. Some trickery, lots of deceipt, and raging addiction. Her sponsor in Ann Arbor got her to a detoxification facility. We know she's there because she calls from a "restricted phone" and hasn't been on her cell phone. She's scared.
Now she is really scared! She has an option or two but there are big barriers to be surmounted. Follow the rules! Admit your addiction and powerlessness, get over your aversion of rules, but only if you want to live. How many times does "Ground Hog Day" have to replay itself when it comes to Sarah's addiction? There are options but which will work?
We are lucky she is alive. Frankly, so is she. Thanks to the anonymous friend who took action. Must be a little honor among addicts. She seems to be scared "straight" for today, but then aren't most addicts from time to time?
She's alive, thank God. What next?
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2 comments:
Fear and pain can, in the end, become an addict's salvation. As a recovering alcoholic and addict myself I know that pain and fear are necessary to bring us to recovery. We must WANT recovery or at least be willing to believe that we want recovery before any recovery can begin.
It is hard for anyone who loves and addict to come to grips with the fact that there is little or nothing we can do or say that will make our loved one want recovery. It is especially hard for parents to accept our powerlessness in this regard when our reason for being is to protect and prevent harm to our children.
Letting go is not something we do easily especially when the potential consequences are jails, institutions and death.
Still if there is enough pain and enough fear to bring our addict...our beautiful boy or daughter to recovery...then, and only then can they learn that the misery they feel from the pain and fear is optional. And when that happens hope and healing can begin.
In the meantime, take care of yourselves, be gentle with one another and never give up hope.
I'm so sorry. Thank god she was rescued in time. We are all thinking and praying. Stay strong. Love, Tom
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