This article is entitled "Are You Wasting Your Energy?" and it covers the following topics as we discuss the futility of trying to change the trajectory of someone else's addiction.
We have learned that, speaking for the family member who loves an addict:
- Addiction has had a far more powerful effect than we realized. It denied us any sense of normalcy and dealt out punishment that, ironically, we inflicted upon ourselves.
- All of our energy is wasted on a hopeless endeavour until there is nothing left over for attending to our own needs. Instead of giving of ourselves, we give ourselves away.
- By surrendering to the simple truth, that we are completely powerless over someone else's addiction or alcoholism, we begin to unleash better possibilities for ourselves.
- We now understand that at some point in our healing, we will be able to detach from the addict's insanity in a healthy and loving way. That is our goal.
- We are then able to live our lives unencumbered by fear, resentment, self-pity, or regret. We are able to unleash boundless energy in pursuit of our own aspirations.