Detaching or letting go was heartbreaking for me. We all learn it is one of the few options when dealing with an addict. We worry about them harming themselves, harming others. We miss them. It becomes logical to detach as we learn more about addiction and dealing with it.
I know one woman, mother of 4 who has been through hell and back with EVERY child and their father. She must be in her 70's, white hair, stoic(heroic?), filled with wisdom, wit and humour. Her husband died from alcoholism. All 4 children have been through alcoholism with or without concomitant drug addiction. Children have been in jail, detox, rehab, AA, and one even remains in prison. The good news, children are all sober finally. When I was falling apart with my aw, I asked this woman for guidance. After she told me what she'd gone through I stopped motionless, said wow, took a deep breath and gained some new perspective.