})
Our stories
Hi @Camelia - The stress of dealing with a loved one who has an addiction is very tough, and even though I have not faced that, I have watched other parents go through it. I was addicted to smoking marijuana for a number of years when I was alot younger, from around 16 to 23 I smoked daily - I went to Narcotics Anonymous, and it was what helped me to get off it initially, but the stuff I learnt about myself and addiction stayed with me, and I believe it messed up my using because I had an awareness of why I felt the need to take myself out of reality that I never had before. I even gave up my addiction to nicotine 6 months after the dope applying what I had learnt - no matter what you use, the nature of addiction is the same. I get how difficult it must be for you that your husband doesn't understand that it is not as simple as your son 'going out to get a job' - he needs to have been recovering for some time to be able to do this, and maintain it. Speaking of denial, another person said something (as I am now writing my response I can't go back and read who made the comment) which I think is very insightful, and which I agree, and that is that denial also has it's place because I believe when we are there, we are not capable of facing the truth yet, and need to be there - I think that is what N.A. did for me - it was very difficult to continue to deny anything, though I don't know how you get there in the first place if you are denying you have a problem. I thankfully at 23 knew I had a problem with it, and marijuana was the only drug of dependence I had ever tried, though many people who go have used many drugs of dependence - how it works is that addicts who have been clean for some time and have worked through the 12 step recovery program, sponsor and support newcomers. Anyway, I could go on all night, but this was just to give you some idea of what worked for me - I am 52 now and from 23 years old, I relapsed once, and still felt that using my drug of choice was not an option and quickly got back on track. Now, I just want to mention another fellowship that you might find helps to support you and quite possibly your husband, which is NAR ANON - for family, friends and loved ones who are dealing with addiction. After reading your post, I am convinced that you would benefit from the support of this group, and as another member mentioned, you need to look after you, and can't be responsible for everyone - helping yourself, will be helping your son. I hope your precious son finds the thing that helps him, and helps your husband too because not having the awareness of what is happening to your son is a pain that won't go away for him as well. Stay in touch @Camelia 
Hi @ Camelia - The stress of dealing with a loved one who has an addiction is very tough, and even though I have not faced that, I have watched other parents go through it. I was addicted to smoking marijuana for a number of years when I was alot younger, from around 16 to 23 I smoked daily - I went to Narcotics Anonymous, and it was what helped me to get off it initially, but the stuff I learnt about myself and addiction stayed with me, and I believe it messed up my using because I had an awareness of why I felt the need to take myself out of reality that I never had before. I even gave up my addiction to nicotine 6 months after the dope applying what I had learnt - no matter what you use, the nature of addiction is the same. I get how difficult it must be for you that your husband doesn't understand that it is not as simple as your son 'going out to get a job' - he needs to have been recovering for some time to be able to do this, and maintain it. Speaking of denial, another person said something (as I am now writing my response I can't go back and read who made the comment) which I think is very insightful, and which I agree, and that is that denial also has it's place because I believe when we are there, we are not capable of facing the truth yet, and need to be there - I think that is what N.A. did for me - it was very difficult to continue to deny anything, though I don't know how you get there in the first place if you are denying you have a problem. I thankfully at 23 knew I had a problem with it, and marijuana was the only drug of dependence I had ever tried, though many people who go have used many drugs of dependence - how it works is that addicts who have been clean for some time and have worked through the 12 step recovery program, sponsor and support newcomers. Anyway, I could go on all night, but this was just to give you some idea of what worked for me - I am 52 now and from 23 years old, I relapsed once, and still felt that using my drug of choice was not an option and quickly got back on track. Now, I just want to mention another fellowship that you might find helps to support you and quite possibly your husband, which is NAR ANON - for family, friends and loved ones who are dealing with addiction. After reading your post, I am convinced that you would benefit from the support of this group, and as another member mentioned, you need to look after you, and can't be responsible for everyone - helping yourself, will be helping your son. I hope your precious son finds the thing that helps him, and helps your husband too because not having the awareness of what is happening to your son is a pain that won't go away for him as well. Stay in touch @ Camelia
