Troubledone

I haven't posted in a while because my addict (neice) has been doing some time in jail for probation violation and I've actually had some of the most peaceful time I have enjoyed in 6 years.

That said, she recently was served with a felony charge of evading an officer which could mean even more time behind bars.

Initially I was very sad. She was such a beautiful child and promising young woman with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a very good grade point average to boot. Until meth.

Then I started to think about it and came up with the following reasons it might be a good thing.

1. She won't get pregnant by her boyfriend while in there (I think he's a pathological liar and an addict)

2. She is working while in jail and actually likes it, so she's learning the value of real work

3. They enforce a schedule on her which is having a good effect on her and restoring her to sanity

4. She has a roof over her head and regular meals and I don't have to worry about her sleeping on the streets or at the house of the boyfriend (who lives with other addicts).

5. She has access to programs to help her like AA, viloence prevention, exercise classes, etc., and she uses them

6. She seems to be more interested in God these days and has grown in faith

7. Selfishly, I get to take care of her dog, that I love and don't want to give back anyway

8. My life is peaceful

9. I can visit if I want to - I know where she is at all times and unlike when she's using, she actually seems happy to see me.

10. She stays in touch with family when she's in jail, otherwise, we never hear from her.

11.She has time to think about her life and actions and it's harder to brush them under the rug

12. The economy is horrible right now and unemployment high, so if she's in a while longer, maybe by the time she gets out it will be better for her to get a job.

So, while I'm still really sad that she has done so much to hurt herself, there are a lot of reasons for me to believe that her HP is working in her life.

I guess the other thought I had was that I know that it takes at least a year of sobriety after using meth for a person's brain to "heal" (if it does), so more time in jail, means more time away from drugs and a higher liklihood that she might stay sober after she gets out.

Only time will tell.

thanks for listening - if you can think of any other reasons, I'd love to hear them.