I am an addict named Mike and also the parent of a 27 year old son ,now in recovery from 7 years of hardcore heroin abuse. Iam an active member of Narcotics Anonymous and also Nar-Anon,for friends and relatives of addicts. You can GOOGLE Nar-Anon,org for meetings in your area and make some meetings where you be among others just like you sharing their experience in how they learned thru the Step program to 'detach with love' learn of enabling behaviors and things you can do for yourself.You can also reach NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP HEADQUARTERS 22527 CRENSHAW BLVD. SUITE 2008 TORRANCE,CA 90505 TO receive literature or call (800)477 6291 or (310) 534 8188 www.nar-anon.org I will lift you up in prayer..May be the best move you can make,as WE sometimes become sicker than our qualifiers(friends,family etc) and need help....Peace...im not sure where in Mryland you are but the site will pull up meeting places for you,type in State and City.......There is HOPE....
-- Edited by MIKEF on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 06:50:27 PM
__________________
Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I'm writing for perspective because I feel so isolated because of my husband's addiction. He has been an opiate addict for as long as I can remember. He began using when we first met and hid it for several years, only admitting it well into our marrage. His entire family are addicts, they were the ones that encouraged and supplied when he started. They deal to him and have put him in touch with other dealers. He is trying to stop on his own, having entered rehab twice and leaving with a day. He is struggling to stay sober - he gave in after 6 days of sobriety yesterday and got a fix. I'm disappointed, frightened and depressed by this - his addiction has put us in financial ruin and we're struggling to keep up and our relationship is crumbling. I have twin 14 month old daughters and I feel hopeless. I'm angry and gave him a ultimatum yesterday, don't use or leave, which didn't work.
What do I do? I know I don't have the power to make him stop but I can't continue to smile and pretend everything is ok!
Sorry to hear about your struggle. You are a perfect candidate for nar-anon. If there is none near you then try al-anon. These days the family support fellowships deal with all kinds of addictions You are correct in knowing that you cannot make anyone stop using drugs. Only the addict can decide when he has enough. You can only take care of you and your children. Good luck and let us know how you are doing