Addiction and family?

Addiction does not just take it's toll on us addicts, but also our families and partners. I know in the past I put my family through hell at times, cause it hurt them to see me so ill and they didn't understand why i couldn't just up and quit, I remember that pissed me off that they thought it was so easy. In active use, i just started lying and saying I was clean so i wouldn't hurt them, but they still knew. I felt the WORST guilt keeping my addiction a secret every single day and keeping it a secret is what kept me sick. I would never announce it to the world (besides on here haha), but for me, having some of those I love and care about hold me accountable helps me fight this. Does your family know of your addiction and are they supportive? Hope this isn't a dumb question, i would just like to know.

Return to Poll

76%

 (19) 

My family knows of my addiction and is supportive

0%

 (0) 

My family knows of my addiction and is not supportive

24%

 (6) 

I keep my addiction a secret

25 Members voted

[gizzy32]

I put they are supportive now cause they see the change in me and know I fight hard for my sobriety finally. They never used to be, but time heals all:)

[dominosarah]

My family knows and 99.9% of them are supportive.  I have one daughter who is still very angry with me and doesnt believe anyone can change.  Once a junkie always a junkie is her feelings.  I dont argue with her anymore as she is entitled to her opinion.  I only hope my actions will speak louder than words and our relationship will heal at some point.  The rest of my family is very supportive and hold me accountable.  They are pros at the tough love thing!!!!                mp

[HelpinUtah]

Great post Gizz!  You're so right, time heals everything!  

Hugs,
Janet

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

It's REFRESHING to see how many people have SUPPORT during there recovery,,
I KNOW that it has meant EVER THING to mE...

Amen!

NorcoQueenoftheUniverse

[gizzy32]

OMG, it's great to see family so supportive of ya'll. It feels good huh. 2 years ago i would have said they all hated me, but i was a selfish *** using coke and drinking ugggg. Remember, we are not ourselves in active use, but still no excuse.

[ImGettingClean]

Only my wife knows; our families dont live by us...i feel my addiction and WDs are tougher for her than they r for me...she sees me in pain (when i have pain) and knows of my addiction and doesn't want to see me in pain and yet, doesn't want me to keep adding to my addiction...it's a tough balance....

i'm on day 5, clean again.....feeling ok, just hurt @ how much I hurt her...i've always told her, if God forbid n e thing ever happened to her, i would move to the Amazon jungle and live with some tribe cause i can't imagine living here without her....

sorry if i went off the subject...

good post Giz...go Bills ....

[SophieShine]

Everybody knows about my addiction and most of them are supportive. Some forgot that I was busy kicking off and some just don't understand or just don't care, they're too busy with themselves I guess!!!
I believe telling everybody has been one of the hardest thing I ever had to admit but I think it is the key to a successful recovery, just my opinion...
Great post gizz!

[NorcoQueenoftheUniverse]

Hey sweet pea.. I'm just holding ALOT of prayers your way for your Recovery WITH your daughter.. It's TOUGH .. BUT.. I found that the hurt goes along with the recovery..
I KNOW,,, in that my son.. is STILL Mad at me for BECOMING an ADDICT..
I'm (hoping) this TOO shall PASS.. as it's killing me...

[10356]

My family has always known of my addictions going back all the way to Heroin.. they never knew how much I was taking till the end but continued to support me.. my children put a lil distance between us in the end but they had to as addiction effects everyone.. but has since closed that gap. I'm very humbled and grateful for this.. lesa

[Astray]

Wow! From the poll I'm the only one to have concealed it all.

Scary really but I think theres only one person who can save us and thats, in this case, me. Then again, thats gone so well so far, hasn't it?

[leeisgettingclean]

i hide it i think...they never let me know if they knew. I tried to tell some when i was about to go into w/ds but THEY were in denial

[allaboutmary]

Coming from a family of addicts ......I'm very open about it.  Most of my friends are supportive.

[Holliee]

my family is great as is my husband couldn;t do it w/out them....

[LateAugust]

It would have been impossible not to know of my daughter's addiction....   she spiraled so quickly once the oxy had complete control of her life, however I did NOT know the extent or amount of her usage, nor the combination of drugs she was using when she first talked with us.   Yes initially she did try to hide it and I didn't know,... she was a high functioning addict...  for a bit of time.....as her mother I felt tremendous guilt for not "catching on sooner".    As I have told her, we, her family, as most loved ones, can accept honesty over the lies, regardless of how difficult it may be for the addict to admit, or as  hard as it is for a loved one to hear of the reality of the drug abuse.

I hate my daughter's addiction,  I love her unconditionally.  From my family's perspective, she is not her addiction, nor does that define her life.   Yes her light began to flicker however with love and support and her dedication, it may have dimmed but did not go out..

I appreciate honesty in all aspects of my life,  and most importantly when it pertains specifically to the safety and health of my child.  It does make me sad to see others that do not have that support structure......   and I applaud all that have taken this journey on sheer will power.

[Totsie59]

Oh, I am the Queen of hiding my addiction...I only told my hubby...and that was when I was going thru wds....No one in my family knows...and at this late date...they will not know...I am so ashamed....I am 212 days clean....and I will NEVER go back.

I still cant believe I did what I did....but it is over....no cravings....I live with the quilt each and every day....My hubby has been there for me each and every step of the way....

Never again...

[mtgoat911]

my family is supportive now, but at the end of my addiction they practiced detachment, like they talk about in alonon
when i was younger my parents actually paid for several treatment center even paid for my matience drugs
then they starting protecting themselves and their money
my family just flew out here for a visit, everyone got along so good

[drifter0213]

soon as i opened up the support came flooding in

[122 Tactical Fighter Group]

As soon as I admitted it to myself, I found that everyone else picked up on it even faster than I picked up  on it.........  They maybe even already knew........  But it was better late than never for myself...............