Originally Posted by
silentone 
Sugah, I have 3 children, 5, 10, and 16. My 16 year old has helped me so much as well as my 10 year old. I have been honest with my eldest, but left the others out of it. I have to say that she asked what is that medicine you take everyday and why? I just looked at her and said it is pain mediciation and I shouldn't be taking it everyday, and she agreed, she said that I had not been the same for awhile, and she didnt like it. After stewing on that for awhile, I decided that she was right and I did a turn around, a real turn around! My kids deserve their mom.
Your oldest, and even your middle one will learn a lot from how you handle this problem.
My kids went through hell with my addiction, though my daughter, who's now 16, insists she doesn't have nightmare memories from her first nine years. My son (now 19) remembers a little more, as do my stepsons, who didn't witness my addiction but my husband's (we were married when we were both a little more than 2 1/2 years sober and didn't know each other in active addiction).
I guess what I'm trying to say is that as much as I wish I hadn't put my kids through my addiction, my recovery has been very good for them. They see personal responsibility -- I can't help it that I'm an addict, but I can make the decision to recover from this. So...you might want to keep in mind that your oldest (especially) will be watching you to see how you take personal responsibility and, while we might wish they didn't have "us" to deal with, it can be a very positive experience that serves them for a long time to come.
Peace & Love,
Sugah