Babyblue,
Thanks for framing it so well - appreciate your perspective.
There is nothing anyone can do to change the addict into not being an addict. There is no cure, only treatment and management. But ultimately wanting to manage their illness is an internal struggle within the addict, not one that loved ones or friends can control. Sometimes they do more harm than good actually. It is about boundaries and knowing when to show compassion and when to take care of yourself first. Sadly all the emotions that go along with watching a loved one do this to themselves actually break apart the very families that can be a source of support. Hard to be supportive of someone if they are threatening you with violence or stealing money from your kids.
Indeed. Much, much easier from a distance
(My background is also 'co-dependent' from a Northern/Western point of view.)