Our lives are filled with situations that challenge our family members or friends. There are a variety of addictions that may be physical, emotional or mental. We seem to handle physical challenges better than we do others during our life.
You may work with people who seem fine but in reality are experiencing nearly constant mental and emotional stress. A back massager and jogging may help one. Therapy or prescription drugs may ease another. The point is that pain and anguish relief is personally tailored.
One couple tried to quit smoking for years. They made a list of things they do that did not accommodate their habit. They noticed that it is difficult to smoke when you are doing latch hook or preparing a meal. They signed up for private cooking classes offered in their community.
There is less alcohol in their home now. They have found ways to substitute healthy habits for bad ones and the lesson is that each person needs to find a way that is comfortable.
People can find joy in looking back over their lives. Music from different years, turning the pages in their scrapbook album or enjoying family movies together can be therapeutic. They recognize challenges the family has shared and how they may have salvaged a life.
We tend to seek out support. That is why so many folks add to a discussion group, make comments on internet forums, or join together in support groups. We create safe places to share our personal lives.
When it comes to dependence issues we tend to be quiet. It makes sense to me that people want to deal with these matters privately but the truth is that we need to be more open. Losing a family member to something like a meth addition is devastating.
Some people would be relieved if their loved one had a horrible medical condition instead of a meth addiction. Living with a friend or family member that has lost their traits to meth can seem like a living death. Our helplessness can feel overwhelmingly real.
Virtually all successful treatment programs have a feature that recognizes a supreme being that is equated to love. A message of faith and love are basic tenants of programs that help to bring our loved ones back into the real world.
The first step is to acknowledge and speak out about the dependency. This can be done effectively when wrapped in love and acceptance. It is nearly impossible to get through life without having to confront a destructive behavior in a loved one.
We must reach out to that person. It is just as important that we reach out to each other for love and support too. When people band together to fight a common enemy they are stronger emotionally and mentally. That is the type of power that will lead to success.