Living with an Addict: Vanquish Fear with Faith

If you haven’t experienced what it’s like living with an addict, it’s difficult to understand what those people go through. Some would think simply ignoring them would be the best course of action, short of helping them. The problem is addiction doesn’t just affect the addict, it affects the people around them, both directly and indirectly.

For example, you are simply roommates with an addict. The following can happen to you:

Your reputation will slowly decay, with people thinking you’re supporting the addict, or an addict yourself.
You will find yourself missing personal belongings, probably because it’s stolen so the addict can purchase their substance.
At some point, the addict will manipulate you into covering for them or take responsibility for their misgivings. This comes in a variety of ways
You might get abused, physically, mentally or verbally.
You might get tangled with law enforcement.
You might become addicted yourself.

If you could move out, you would. But what if it’s not just your roommate? What if it’s your lover, your spouse, or your family? You can’t just leave like that. Furthermore, you have the moral obligation to help them. There are many ways to help an addict, but how can you get through the ordeal? An addict can easily pull you into the spiraling abyss of their own habits, either dragging you down with them or pulling you down somewhere darker.

The Answer is Faith

Faith is what will fuel you to go on. For the non-religious, think of it as willpower, and staying true to yourself. To at least have faith in yourself is a powerful skill in helping you go through the challenges and tribulations brought upon by living with an addict.

Faith comes by hearing the Words of Christ, Our Lord. Hearing the words will instill us with the courage we need, and maintain our control of ourselves. We have those very words written in the bible. Yet, just hearing the word is not enough. Praying with the words instilled unto you is not enough. To have faith is to still do one last thing.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” – Mark 11:24

Believe in Yourself, Be True to Your Own Words.

It might sound easy, but to have faith in yourself is realistically more difficult than having faith in a higher power. When dealing with an addict, your words must have power to them. That means when you state your boundaries and your warnings, believe in yourself that you’ll fulfill them. An addict will attempt to manipulate you, push you to your limits, and even hurt you. Yet you must not falter.

When you are true to your word, just as the Lord’s Words are ever true, you will find strength in your actions over the addict and the addict will grow to respect you. This bit of respect can spark trust and with trust, you can guide them to the path of recovery.

The post Living with an Addict: Vanquish Fear with Faith appeared first on Addiction Treatment.

from
http://alanonmeetingsnear.me/2017/11/14/the-fear-of-living-with-an-addict/