Excellent Morning Glory! This is a great explanation of detaching with love. It doesn't have to mean leaving someone (although sometimes it does). It doesn't mean being mean. It doesn't mean doing anything but doing what we should do in the first place. Take good care of ourselves so that we're ok and our "ok" isn't dependent on another.
I think some people use words like "tough love" as well and the concept behind it is misunderstood. The "tough" part is tough on/for ME.....not on the addict in my life. It's very difficult to stop enabling behavior......particularly when it's a son or daughter (at least for me......I have a comparative since I was married to an addict and also have an adult son who is addicted).
Thanks for sharing such a great post on detachment!
hugs
ke