Families & Friends Of Addicts Support Group
Addiction affects more than just the individual. This community is dedicated to the families and friends of individuals suffering from any form of addiction. Mental health professionals are increasingly considering alcoholism and addiction as diseases that flourish in and are enabled by family systems. Family members react to the addicted person with particular behavioral...
It is wonderful that he knows he needs help. Now here is the BUT....you have to learn what is enabling, and what is helping...the definition of enabling is doing anything for him that he can do for himself.
Also, you are going to have to set your boundaries...how many tries does he get before you are out of there? And seeing that you are in your forties, you must know that statistically, the later in life they stop, the longer it takes to recover....the saying is "if it took 7 years to walk into these woods, it takes 7 years to walk out"
Also, you may find he really needs to spend a ton of time with AA people, and get a sponsor.
I would live life as normally as possible, and 1. praise him for his hard work, and 2. ask him if there are things he needs changed for him to be successful.
And, at some point, the landlord can just be done, so he really has to do it all for himself.
I would also suggest if there is any money, you set aside some in a personal bank account just for you as emergency money.
So, good luck, read the alanon for families book (from the 40's- so some sounds out of date) and there are recommendations here at the top for other books...just remember that we didn't cause it, can't control or cure it. And if he goes back? it isn't your fault either.
My son is sober 6 years this April 8th. It can be done.
Welcome. glad you found us, sorry you had to.
so, pick up the books, and of course you can always try a private councelor...or if your friend goes to rehab and they offer family counceling it would be great to go to that...that really helped my husband and myself.
The main thing it helped me to remember then, that is still true now even though we are divorcing is the Serenity Prayer, which AA uses as well:
God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference
big hugs to you