STEADY AND PERSISTENT HOPE

by libbycataldi under Faith, Hope

A young man explained when he decided to change his life: I remember when I hit bottom: I was drunk, high, and sitting in my car in a field looking at a silver handgun that my older brother gave me for protection since he was just involved in a large drug deal that went bad a couple days before. It would have been so easy that night to pull the trigger and put an end to things, but I was not strong enough. I thought about it many times but I could not do it. I was so close. I was so tired. But I knew someone still believed in me.

My reflection: The young man who told me this story said that the person who believed in him was the mother of a close friend. Despite how tired and broken he felt by his addiction, this mother’s steady and persistent hope became his lifeline.

Today’s Promise: For those suffering from addiction, the knowledge that someone still believes in them can make a difference. When they are without hope, the feeling that someone, somewhere, hasn’t given up on them offers strength. Today, I’ll stay close to those I love, but I must stay out of the chaos of their choices. I will pray and believe that in time they’ll make the decision to come home.

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Rae Lynn Sanculi
Rae Lynn Sanculi
5 years ago

Good Morning Libby: I’ve been at hopeful and hopeless soooo many times! After 20 years of my two AS’s disease, I am continually learning how to Let Go, Let God, lovingly detach, remain diligent in prayer and hope, yet knowing I have to always step away from their chaos and choices while still encouraging their progress towards sobriety. Wow, it takes alot of energy and fortitude, but the peace it beings is well worth the work we have to do! I think of you, Jeff and your family so often, especially when I’m having a challenging day. Please know the strength you have given others with you and Jeff’s journey.
Sending blessings and caring, Rae Lynn

Pat Nichols
5 years ago

Addiction does not have the power to stop the love of a parent from reaching their child. It is that love that creates hope within the child. The hope lingers in the child’s very soul waiting for that moment of spiritual transformation. It is hope within the child that eventually ignites long term recovery. Ask any recovering addict and they will confirm two things, (1) I found recovery when my family stopped enabling and (2) I knew my family loved me and would support my recovery. It is so difficult for we, as parents, to understand we need as much help as our addicted child. We need a 12 step program that we attend regularly and securing a sponsor is critical! We need to educate ourselves fully on the disease of addiction accepting it is a primary disease, a mental illness. A critical part of our own recovery is securing a properly credentialed and experienced alcohol/drug counselor. And lastly the foundation of our own recovery is drawing close to the God of our understanding. Recovery is a spiritual journey and it is a lifelong commitment.

Karen Baar
Karen Baar
5 years ago

Love all the wonderful comments. It’s been a rough week and you all have inspired me ❤️

Karen Baar
Karen Baar
5 years ago
Reply to  libbycataldi

I like the idea of staying close ❤️. Somehow it fills my soul with much needed strength. I am seeing red flags in my son and try to put them aside in my head because I can’t control anything if he has relapsed. Then after a long good day the anxiety hits and I call two dear Alanon friends. It helps but..in my mind the red flags show up. My mom mentions “ something seems a little off” and “ he was in the bathroom a lot “ “ he’s constipated. I have decided to detach a bit but it’s hard. His first rehab was in 2014 and I had hopes that this 5 months of sobriety would be it. Maybe I’m wrong and he’s clean. That said, all I can do is pray and go on with my day. Thank you for giving me the space to share. Hopefully these words will help me let go in a place where there is understanding. Yes, let’s stay close.

Al Santiago
Al Santiago
5 years ago

It is going on 15 years now. As a parent of an addict and alcoholic, I remain hopeful that one day, my daughter will diligently work her program for a sustainable and healthy life. She is currently in another rehab center choosing to remain out of touch with me. Her decision is hard to accept but I continue to have hope, patience, and love for her. A loving Father….

Norma
Norma
5 years ago

My adult daughter has been a substance abuser since high school. Alcohol, depression meds mixed with alcohol and now drugs. She is 35 and is now recovering from perforated colon surgery from too many opioids. Her live in boyfriend is also a severe alcoholic and has sold drugs which now he has a felony from. I spent many years bailing her out financially- which now i have learned i were enabling her. I no longer give her any financial assistance. I have tried very hard to stay out of her choices in life. I love her so very much, but I’m so conflicted. How do I have any kind of relationship with her? She knows how I feel about her boyfriend, she refuses go into any kind of rehab. I have been going to Al Anon and leaning on the steps and traditions. The doctors and social workers at the hospital have told me that if her lifestyle doesn’t change, I will lose her. What do I do? What can/should I try to say to her?