I'm batting two out of two sons that are addicts. If you shake my family tree, the addicts and alcoholics fall out. Just the way it is.
There is a genetic component to this disease - and my family has it.
The good news is that there is recovery from this disease, unlike some forms of cancer and other terminal illnesses. And the treatment - meetings and a recovery program - is certainly a lot better than chemo and radiation.
The other part I need to realize is that I got as sick from the disease as they did - from living with them. (and my alcoholic father and other alcoholic relatives also). So I need "treatment" too. Otherwise, I am the chief enabler and fixer - and basically made it possible for them to keep using. Even now that all of the alcoholics/addicts in my life are sober - or living faaaaar away -I still need Alanon to keep me from going back to my old ways.
Has been a pretty nifty way for all of us to live.
Love in recovery,
Jody Hepler