Does anyone know anything about Alateen? The counselors at the recovery home strongly suggested that I should take my daughters to the alateen meetings but I don't want to have to make them. They have been through enough already. They agreed to go to an open NA meeting w/ me but they aren't comfortable w/ being around kids their age discussing their parents recovery. We live in a very small town and they don't want anyone to even know about my addiction. When I was in rehab I left it up to them to decide what they wanted to tell their friends & their parents. They told everyone I had to go out of town for work. My ex-husband doesn't even know. I completely understand & respect their feelings but I can't help but worry that eventhough they are being very supportive of me they don't truly understand how this disease works and if we don't go to alateen or family counseling to help us get through this now I am afraid it's going to cause even more problems in the future. Sorry for rambling... If anyone has had to deal w/ these issues or maybe some similar I would be extremely grateful to hear how handled your addiction w/ your kids.
-- Edited by sstaceye69 on Saturday 15th of August 2009 09:38:19 PM
-- Edited by sstaceye69 on Sunday 16th of August 2009 12:44:36 AM
__________________
The Will Of GOD Will Never Take You Where The Grace Of GOD Will Not Protect You
Hi sstaceye69! MikeF again! First thing please dont be sorry about"rambling" we call that sharing from your heart,thats how we get help 'ONE ADDICT HELPING ANOTHER IS WITHOUT PARALLEL.Anyway you can probably google Alateen for meetings in your area and how it works.I am an active member of NA but also have been active member of Naranon for close to 3 years learning to "detach with love' from my son in recovery from heroin addiction.The programs are similar,Naranon,Alanon,ALAteen CODA,The premise is that just like our addiction ,Kids.relatives ,friends etc have no control over those with addiction and need to learn to take car of themselves. For example the 3rd tradition of Naranon says the only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or a friend.(NA 3rd tradition states the only desire for membership is a desire to stopusing!!) more in depth learning and meetings can entail talks about the "disease,"personal situations how others deal with situations,and contact with others who have knowlege in fields of addiction and recovery.You know our programs(NA/AA) are for people who "want' them and not those who necessarily "need " them.I agree that you cant really "make your kids go" but I would suggest you help them find information about the programs and get a little more understanding.They probably have a lot of reservations ,just as we as addicts have,as far as meetings,sharing,honesty,anonymity etc..I am sure someone here on this site will offer a url to go to(I dont know how to do that )you know cut and paste or glue or something like that..!!Keep coming back let us know how your doin peace mikef
__________________
Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
Mike F thanks for your reply and support. Finding this board has been such a blessing. My heart goes out to you & your son. I will remember him in my prayers. I will definitely check out the ALA-Teen websites.
Thanks again, SStaceye69
__________________
The Will Of GOD Will Never Take You Where The Grace Of GOD Will Not Protect You
