It's the million dollar question I've been asking myself for the past 6 months but have found few answers and more questions??? I think for 'us,' we're the overlooked and forgotten casualities of a war we didn't start or want, and the pain never goes away - it only dulls. It's so easy to throw pitty parties and at times it's all I want but then I remember that strength and survival isn't found on easy street, it's acquired through grace and perservance along the hard bumpy road. I have moments when it's questionable if I can get through the day worrying about all the would-a, could-a, should-a's I can't or could never have controlled and just when that cloud of depression starts to rear it's ugly head I remember what my good friend on this site advises: have your moment then put on your big girl pants and move on. Believe me it's how I've managed getting through these past 6 months. So bottom line, vent away and after grab your pants and smile b/c you're one special person.

Shoot we would be rich,, if we had all the answers,,,
Addicts seem to always have a problem,, but never want to find a solution ,, everyone owes them,,or needs help,,,
Thanks for listening ,, I guess it is what it is,, just glad I'm able to see the glass half full,, instead if half empty,,,

Kim It is ok to have those what about us moments, afterall we are only human. We have been through the mill and you know what we have survived. I would be lieing if I said I too didn't have those moments I'm pretty sure we all do.You are a wonderful mom wife G-ma and friend! Love ya Dee

Thanks girl's,,, not just my addict,, but listen to other addicts,,, I speak about boundaries, and how it's possible to love our addicts,,, love ghe person , hate the addict,, anyways,, actually all addicts are a Like,,, they may use different drugs,,, but at the end of the day, they all are the same,,, especially ones that are not using, they have this,, poor me attitude,, my life is so f#*^ up,, well duh,, if you keep walking around the same mountain,, your going to go no where!!!,, I just kept saying,,, keep complaining about your problems you will remain the same,,, find solutions you gain a future,,,

To some degree I also think it's the mentality of the current younger generation that has caused some of their abuse. I refer to them as the entitlement generation (i.e. why work for it - it will or should just be given to me attitude!). They are raised in a society that's instant everything; gratification, results, satisfaction, blah, blah, blah... The result in some cases is laziness and a general lack of interest. And what ticks me off the most is that they just don't care or are concerned about how their actions negatively affects & impacts their family & friends. So how do we reach them - how do we knock sense into them - how do we stop them from self-destructing everything around them, including us????

I call it the " me generation" not speaking of addicts ,,I really have to keep my 16,17 and 20 year old in check,, every once in a while,, they think they are owed ,,, not,,, I will not pay for colledge, however I will provide for a nice home for them, my two youngest I pay for nothing ,, and those two are blooming,, and have respect,,, i'v learned so much about my parenting skills going through this nightmare with my addict,,, I'm very open with my kids, loving, in fact I have so many extra kids that call me momma k, because they know I say what i mean,mean what I say, ,,