BASIC TRUTH'S

Having read some recent posts that disturb me, I am going to post some FACTS about heroin addition.

Much like alcoholism, once you are an addict, you are FOREVER an addict.

You are either an ACTIVE addict, or a RECOVERING addict.

The fine line between them can be easily crossed and is called RELAPSE.

Typically, relapse happens over and over.

An addict can be recovering for 20 years and will STILL BE AT RISK FOR RELAPSE.

Nothing you can do as a parent or loved one will either increase or decrease the possibility of relapse.

Relapse and Addiction are simply because the addict has found something so wonderful (to them) that it quickly replaces every single aspect of their lives. They LIVE for the next fix.

So quit trying to further their recovery. Quit trying to 'help'. You can't. It won't work. It is futile.

Recovery is solely in the brain of the addict. No single other person can force it, help it along, or affect it.

If an addict wants to use, they will find a way. Each second of sobriety takes incredible courage and self fortitude.

Many of our addicts will NOT have that inside them. Some will get and stay sober. Most will not.

As a parent, the smartest thing you can do is say "my addict will NEVER stop using". Although this sounds defeatist...once you accept this inside your heart of hearts, and then learn to still have contact with your addict, leaving out all behaviors, actions, etc....

then, and ONLY then, will you be ready for your addict to start THEIR recovery. It is NOT your recovery. you have no part of it.

your addict may, in fact, choose to continue to use. Once you have accepted that they are an addict and will be forever, you will simply stop looking for signs. Believe that they are using. Act as though they are using. Guard your possessions as though they are using. That way, you won't continually suffer the up and down of hope and disappointment followed by depression and despair, followed by hope, followed by disappointment...

you get the picture.