WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

* you are NOT alone

* you ARE important

* it’s OK to be angry

* you did NOT cause or perpetuate the addiction

* their addiction is NOT your fault

* we are ALL enablers because of love, NOT because we are wrong or bad people

* you DO have the choice to stop enabling and accept that you are NOT wrong or unloving for doing so

* we go through the stages of grief when dealing with a loved one’s addiction

* we can use al-anon, counseling, holistic healing, journaling, drumming, support groups, anything and everything that helps us deal with our new situation

* crying IS healing!

* loving the addict does NOT mean that you have to like or accept the destructive addictive behavior

* loving the person despite the addiction IS normal and is NOT wrong

* it is OK and healthy to put yourself first

* it is OK to take care of yourself and say “NO MORE” to the loved ones destructive behavior