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Tag: addiction and what we can do

You can’t fix it. But you can make it worse

Watching your child or loved one self destruct with addiction is the hardest thing to watch. It’s like watching a person implode.

At first, we think we can fix it. We are sure we can. If we just want it enough, we can almost do it for them. We just need to know what to do. What directions to follow. Where to drop them off to be fixed. How much to pay.

But we can’t fix it.

We try, agonize, project, cry, pray, beg and lose ourselves in the process. We make their problem ours. After all, this is your … Read more...

It’s not just their recovery. It’s yours, too

This is our new war. This addiction epidemic.

Nothing makes you feel so helpless– watching your loved one self destruct. You want to fix it.  But you can’t. And you may have finally realized that.

You can’t make them choose recovery. No matter how much you want it. They have to want it.

And if they do choose it. You can’t do it for them.

There are things you can do.

One is get educated on addiction. Find out as much as you can. Learn, learn, learn. Go to an education group, a support group.

It’s not … Read more...

Even if you relapse, we love you

fall off the wagon

You have felt worthless.

Others have treated you like trash.

The criminal justice system treats you as criminals.

Society has labeled you a throwaway.

I believe that lack of support and compassion has fed the epidemic and contributed to your feelings of low self worth.

Typically those with addiction struggle with self esteem. You feel deeper than most and often it comes with mental illness.

Behavior makes this disease more complex.

Here’s the thing

This disease is awful but it comes with gifts. Gifts you are not aware of.

Often those who suffer have talents we often take for granted. … Read more...

10 things I learned at ‘Research to Recovery’

Katharine Hunter, DBHDS; Tom Bannard, COBE

Hosted by COBE and the VA Dept of Behavioral Health (DBHDS), this COBE Substance Use Disorder Conference focused on the science behind the disease. This post is inspired by Bill Maher, gentle interventionist, who asked me what I learned from the perspective of a mom who lost a child to addiction.

The conference was great and very informative. Here are my takeaways Well, some of them. Please add yours in the comments.

1. Drug users lives matter

These individuals are human beings, not throwaways. It’s someone’s son, brother, mother, sister, wife, husband, friend or cousin. They are … Read more...

Facebook LIVE: What can we do to stop the faucet of prescription meds?

How can you prevent your child or loved one from becoming addicted?

Please, please share this blog post.

Left: Anne Moss Rogers, annemoss.com, Right: Chris Baker, addict in recovery. Facebook LIVE: What can we do to stop the faucet of prescription meds in our communities?  Watch it on Facebook.

6/24/2019 update- Since this aired, research on MAT, Medication Assisted Treatment, has changed and an important aspect of keeping someone alive and able to live life until they are mature enough for long term recovery. Recovery doesn’t look the same nor do all who go through recovery do it the … Read more...