Hi. I am a nursing student and a child of a former user. I am writing a paper on meth use and part of my paper is resources for the addict and the family. I thought I remembered attending meetings as a child somewhat like Al-anon. Does that exist in this situation? Does anyone know? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks Jana! So I wonder if kids other than those of alcoholics use ala-teen? Gosh, if there isn't one, someone should get one going huh? It is so important for these kids to have their own support group as well right?
In narcotics anonymous, we make no distinction between drugs and alcohol is a drug so we look at recovery from the disease of addiction and at what the disease of addiction is. I say that to say that teens living with an "alcoholic" are teens living with an "addict"... Same disease. I imagine that they either attend NarAnon, which is for family members of addicts or Al Anon, perhaps Alateen. I also found a TeenAnon http://www.teen-anon.com/home.htm
Just FYI, meth is a substance, it's abuse a symptom of the disease of addiction, not the cause. Were I writing a paper about the Meth epidemic in this country, I would broaden my focus a bit to the disease of addiction itself. For an addict, drug dependency is a real possibility but some addicts (those with the disease of addiction) obsess about behaviors (gambling, sex seeking, shopping, eating, bulimia, anorexia, etc) and may never pick up a drug of abuse.
There is substance dependence and there is the disease of addiction. While they often go hand in hand, they are not the same thing.
I'd be happy to help you in any way I can as I'm all for medical professionals and law enforcement professionals having a clear understanding of the disease of addiction which is not a moral failing but rather a mental, physical, spiritual and emotional disease.
Feel free to email me: jana516@att.net
-- Edited by Jana40503 on Wednesday 8th of April 2009 07:26:54 AM
__________________
The truth does not change based on my inability to stomach it - Flannery O'Connor
My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance and in inverse proportion to my expectations - Michael J. Fox
Hello student 101, and welcome. This is for friends and family members of addicts, not necessarily just children, but try www.nar-anon.org It is a support group for those who love an addict. Great web site and meetings in many areas. Good Luck!
__________________
"With a sweet tongue of kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair." ~Persian Proverb
hi dan h! mike f here. i am in poughkeepsie ny and i have been attending NARANON FOR 2 YEARS.families,relatives,friends of addicts. wonderful program works on same 12 step principles of NA only your addiction is your addict.open forum with plenty of room to speak but geared for the sanity of the person attending and not really about the addict.can google it and should give you more backround.learn to "detach with love" like a very difficult but necessary scenario when dealing with someone using.my son is a 22 year old recovering heroin addict and i also am a recovering addict recovering not only from my own addiction but trying to also "use the process" to know there is nothing i can do but help myself and make sure my recovery is most important.chek it out,hope this helps peace
__________________
Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
