Physical & Emotional Abuse Support Group
Abuse is a general term for the treatment of someone that causes some kind of harm (to the abused person, to the abusers themselves, or to someone else) that is unlawful or wrongful. No one deserves abuse, period. Abuse can be emotional, physical, or sexual.
I'm having a very hard time letting go of my abusive past, and it's destroying me in the process.
I'm a 23-year-old woman who grew up with physically and emotionally abusive parents. My Mom had Munchaussen Syndrome, and my Dad was a violent alcoholic. I have forgiven my Father. For some reason, I can forgive the people in my life who have physically abused me. I cannot or will not forgive the people who caused me emotional turmoil. That would include my Mother.
I've experienced homelessness, molestation, jail time, rehabs, mental institutions, etc. I've seen, done it all.
When I was a kid I struggled with eating disorders.
Now that I'm an adult, that's my last concern. I struggle daily with severe alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. (Including self-injury. As an adult, that's embarrassing.)
I have fought for everything I've ever had. I FINALLY am experiencing mild success in my career. I have worked so hard at it, and now I'm scared of losing it because of my drinking/drug abuse.
I feel that I continue in this spiral because I cannot let go of my past.
Is there any advice I can get, from people who have been in my situation?
I'm a 23-year-old woman who grew up with physically and emotionally abusive parents. My Mom had Munchaussen Syndrome, and my Dad was a violent alcoholic. I have forgiven my Father. For some reason, I can forgive the people in my life who have physically abused me. I cannot or will not forgive the people who caused me emotional turmoil. That would include my Mother.
I've experienced homelessness, molestation, jail time, rehabs, mental institutions, etc. I've seen, done it all.
When I was a kid I struggled with eating disorders.
Now that I'm an adult, that's my last concern. I struggle daily with severe alcoholism, drug addiction, and depression. (Including self-injury. As an adult, that's embarrassing.)
I have fought for everything I've ever had. I FINALLY am experiencing mild success in my career. I have worked so hard at it, and now I'm scared of losing it because of my drinking/drug abuse.
I feel that I continue in this spiral because I cannot let go of my past.
Is there any advice I can get, from people who have been in my situation?
all that you already have
in your young life but I
had an emotionally
abusive mother and
an emotionally abusive
husband of close to
twenty years.
I urge you in the
strongest terms to
look for a therapist
who specializes in
recovery from abuse
and trauma and to
begin doing the work
of recovery.
Because your experiences
have been so horrible
and so intense, this
work may need to be
something that takes
place for a long time
going forward. Aren't
you worth it, though?
Your needs are very
specific in regards
to therapy. You need
a specialist who is
also the best of the
best.
I hope you'll look
into finding this
special counselor.
You ARE worth it.
Sending you hugs
and wishes for
healing and
better days ahead.
Sending positive vibes your way.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Physical_Emotional_Abuse/forum/20977607-questions-ask-potential
In addition to those questions, it would also be good to ask about their background in addiction & codependence recovery. IMHO, based on what I learned from my training is that most addictions stem from trauma(s) and when we can go back and heal the trauma(s), we can then deal more successfully with the addiction.
You are a very smart and very aware woman. I admire you for wanting to find a therapist you can't outsmart. I was married to an alcoholic and watched him outsmart & manipulate every therapist I dragged him to. (He never went willingly.) You are also several steps ahead because you have the strong desire to heal. That is key in recovery.
Wishing you the very best. Please keep us posted.
~healing hugs~
See...that's one of my biggest problems. I outsmart and con everyone around me. I actually TRY to dumb myself down. It's nearly impossible.
Nearly every addict I've met comes from a broken home. It's sad. But makes the most sense. I will keep you updated. Thank you for the welcome!