"We have seen the program work for any addict who honestly and sincerely wants to stop [using drugs]"
Basic Text pg. 10
How do we know when someone honestly and sincerely wants to stop using drugs? The truth is that we don't know! Because we cannot read minds or know another's motives and desires, we simply have to hope for the best. We may talk to a newcomer at a meeting and think we'll never see them again, only to find them several years later doing well in their recovery. We may be tempted to give up on someone who keeps relapsing or doesn't get clean right away, but we must not. No matter how unwilling someone may seem, a simple fact remains - the addict is at a meeting.
We may never know the results of our Twelfth Step work; it is not up to us to gauge the willingness of a newcomer. The message we carry is a part of us. We carry it everywhere and share it freely, leaving the results to a Power greater than ourselves.
Just for today: I will share my recovery with any addict, anywhere, anytime, and under any circumstances. I will leave the results to my Higher Power.
Thank you for wha tyou said today about never giving up on an addict. My husband is having a hard time, second time on subs. He wanted so badly to believe he could get himself off of the suboxone as quickly as poosible. One we cant use our insurance, for privacy reasons and two he wanted to prove to himself that he could bet his addiction. I am on methadone for chronic pain, my husband began stealing my meds. Time and time again I was coming up short for my meds, and even though we have been married for 24 years and are tight, he would put me in jepordy, for I have been on methadone for 11 years & am physically addicted. I love and adore my husband. I am scared for as long as I am on methadone it is like a kid in a candy store. I have gone through several safes, by husband has found a way to breech each and everyone. I feel very alone. My husband is in a career that does not tolarate drug use. I want to be that womanwho is a strong, positive partner, but for as long as he continues to steal and puts my health in danger I feel betrayed, used and alone.
Hi Karrie...never giving up on an addict is NOT the same thing as hanging in there to be stolen from, have health put in danger, be betrayed, used/abused and alone...to be dragged under along with him or her while he or she suffers from the mistaken belief that addiction can be beat (ie. by power of will) before it beats us.
Consider looking to see if there is a Nar-Anon meeting in your area...it can really help to have some support and understanding for your own self.
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From dying and surviving to living and thriving. LeeU