An endless Stockholm Syndrome.
Someone points a weapon at you, you are terrified.
When they point the weapon AWAY from you, you are grateful to them.
(negating the fact they had no right to point it at you to begin with----
and the LOGICAL course of action is to be furious at them)
The addicted person I cared about put me through this many times.
"I can't go on like this----I'm ready to get help"
(music to my ears....THANK GOD!!!!!.....what can I do to help!?!?!?)
----------more $$$$? (big surprise).
The best responses are never words (by definition:cheap)....but actions.
Changed my phone #, blocked every contact method, an 'operational'
goodbye, not a threatened or dramatic one.
One that says (unequivocally)......get help or don't-----it's your life and your business.