Unite to Face Addiction
I went to the morning events held in DC with a few friends. Either they or a family member is in recovery or was lost to addiction. I lost a brother to alcohol addiction and a child who is in recovery. I could not stay for the whole session because I had to work this afternoon.
It was informative to watch and listen to people who are in recovery as well as family members and friends. Some well known others regular ordinary people. It does not escape any socio demographic. Many could trace it back to childhood from abuse--sexual, physical or emotional, parental illness including mental illnesses creating a sense of loss or lack of love in their lives, their own mental and emotional illnesses that were not addressed, sense of abandonment by a parent no matter the reason,addict parents, bullying, and others who just developed the addiction from lifestyle. Some said many addictions can be traced back to childhood events, a 75% rate was mentioned
I thought of my brother, who I suspect had been abused by my abuser, but I will never know with certainty, and his life of addiction. I thought of my child and I suspect some of the causes and hopefully the child has fully disclosed and accepted because I learned it is necessary to fully heal. I thought of everyone here who struggles with addiction from the CSA- no matter the form of addiction.
It was rewarding to see so many people openly speaking about their journey to heal, their struggles and setbacks. Like CSA it is a daily battle not to let it take hold.
I am glad I went. It gave me more understanding of the struggling and challenges of battling addiction. One person I was speaking with said it taught him everyone has issues or struggles and we should not judge them because we do not know what they have faced or are facing. He said if judges others he has not recovered and is jeopardy of slipping. I thought the words were simple but on point. I believe since I have faced the CSA I am more tolerant and do not judge others. I fear someone I know in recovery still judges others and has not accepted the truth behind the issues of their own addiction and will not find their happiness. I know others who have embraced their pasts and issues and are thriving. I also know others, and my brother was one, who was unable to face and accept the addiction. They all need our support.
I was not able to make it back for tonight's concert with Steven Tyler, Cheryl Crowe and others. It would have been a great time.
It was informative to watch and listen to people who are in recovery as well as family members and friends. Some well known others regular ordinary people. It does not escape any socio demographic. Many could trace it back to childhood from abuse--sexual, physical or emotional, parental illness including mental illnesses creating a sense of loss or lack of love in their lives, their own mental and emotional illnesses that were not addressed, sense of abandonment by a parent no matter the reason,addict parents, bullying, and others who just developed the addiction from lifestyle. Some said many addictions can be traced back to childhood events, a 75% rate was mentioned
I thought of my brother, who I suspect had been abused by my abuser, but I will never know with certainty, and his life of addiction. I thought of my child and I suspect some of the causes and hopefully the child has fully disclosed and accepted because I learned it is necessary to fully heal. I thought of everyone here who struggles with addiction from the CSA- no matter the form of addiction.
It was rewarding to see so many people openly speaking about their journey to heal, their struggles and setbacks. Like CSA it is a daily battle not to let it take hold.
I am glad I went. It gave me more understanding of the struggling and challenges of battling addiction. One person I was speaking with said it taught him everyone has issues or struggles and we should not judge them because we do not know what they have faced or are facing. He said if judges others he has not recovered and is jeopardy of slipping. I thought the words were simple but on point. I believe since I have faced the CSA I am more tolerant and do not judge others. I fear someone I know in recovery still judges others and has not accepted the truth behind the issues of their own addiction and will not find their happiness. I know others who have embraced their pasts and issues and are thriving. I also know others, and my brother was one, who was unable to face and accept the addiction. They all need our support.
I was not able to make it back for tonight's concert with Steven Tyler, Cheryl Crowe and others. It would have been a great time.
