Testimonial on Overcoming Drug Addiction:
Is overcoming drug addiction possible? I thought it was, but I didn’t know anything. I spent so much time our time lecturing, begging, pleading, crying, and threatening my boyfriend to stop his drug use.
After a rough patch that included a DUI, my prayer was finally answered and he went to treatment. I thought this was the answer to overcoming drug addiction. I also thought our lives would be back to normal. I was so wrong.
I had no idea that when one is overcoming drug addiction it would be a life-long process. I believe that when you go to rehab – you’re cured. The sad reality is no one is cured when it comes to overcoming drug addiction.
Overcoming drug addiction is a lifelong process, and I needed to understand that residential treatment is not a one-time fix. Those serious about recovery continue their journey long after rehab. This can come in the form of attending many weekly meetings, counseling, outreach calls, meditating journaling, and solitude. I was left wondering where I fit in and why I wasn’t his first priority.
When our relationship didn’t go back to normal and things got rocky, it was suggested to me to attend an Al-Anon meeting.
I learned so much about addiction and myself and continue to learn every time I go. I learned that sobriety comes before anything when overcoming drug addiction. I learned to live my life and compliment his. I learned that his recovery was his, and even though I wasn’t the one overcoming drug addiction – I still needed recovery. I needed recovery from my distortion of what caring was. I enabled. Big time! That wasn’t caring. What an eye opening experience!
I’m so thankful for Al-Anon, and so thankful my boyfriend has been sober for 3 years.
I am thankful that he diligently works his 12-Step program, and I am thankful that I work mine. We both have learned that there is a power greater than us and our ‘job’ in this lifetime is to put one foot in front of the other and do the next best thing. That’s a simple job, and for that I’m grateful.
If you or a loved one desires to overcome addiction, please contact Fair Oaks Recovery Center at (888) 576-0222.
