Stillhopefull, The first question has to be, is your daughter is ready to quit? Addiction is self-centered and supported by denial. Many of us were not ready to quit until our lives were such chaos that we HAD to find another way to live. I was not ready until my life was a total wreck, and denial did not allow me to see what was wrong, I certainly couldn't see that drugs were a major contributor to the wreckage. We usually try to avoid giving advice, but I need to tell you what I have seen work. If you think your daughter might be ready, perhaps you could talk with a drug and alchol treatment center to explore the available options. If you are not familiar with what an "intervention" is, they might be able to help. Basically an intervention is family and friends explaining why they are worried and how the addicts actions are affecting them. This is best done as non-confrontationally as possible, to avoid driving the addict away. At the same time the point needs to be put across that the addicts actions are hurting more than just the addict. If you decide to try an intervention, make arrangements with a treatment center to allow for immediate admittance; don't give second thoughts a chance to grow. Another option would be to look in the phone book to see if there is a Narcotics Anonymous hotline. In my area there is a "Twelfth Step" list of people who are willing to go to talk with an addict, if the addict is ready to talk. The twelfth step of our fellowship states that " Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs." If there is an NA phoneline they can probably also provide local meeting information. If you can find nothing locally, try online at (na.org), there are listings for meeting all around the world, as well as literature for the addict. You might also try to find an NarAnon or AlAnon meeting for you to attend. These are organizations for families of addicts, filled with people who are facing the same situation that you are, a good place to ask for help! If you have any further questions please post them, we will answer to the best of our ability. Remember that as long as the addict is still alive, hope lives too.
Lon
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Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.----Alice Mackenzie Swaim
Thanks so much for your reply, was/am feeling quite alone and I thank you for your thorough answer. Knowing it is one thing, hearing it from someone else is another. mom
Even if she is not ready, you could try Nar-anon meetings. Its for the friends and family members of addicts. It may help you to feel not so alone. It helps to have people who care when we are hurting. Good Luck!! Ill say a prayer for her
Danielle
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Danielle 10-14-04
"Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise"
