"A Strong Foundation"

A New Journey for Life

By: Catherine Barns and Pamela Heany

Alcoholism is a disease that few recognize as a "family disease" that affects each member in many different ways. Family members become "sick" in some of the most basic areas: emotional, spiritual, social, and physical. Though, to others they usually appear to be normal, and are often even found to be high achievers, inside they are people living in a world of hurt. They are sick because they have had to develop extraordinary skills to survive the stress of their chaotic family - only to have these techniques become so rigid that they eventually backfire on them.

There is no situation too difficult, and no unhappiness too great to overcome. When victims come to understand that alcoholism is a disease, and realize that the alcoholic is powerless in the face of it - and that they are powerless over the alcoholic - there is hope for recovery. We learn to stop obsessing over the alcoholic - and instead, we detach with love, pray for them, and learn more effective coping skills. Then, we move on to do something useful with our own lives. Often that involves helping others in the same emotional pain we were in. And once you've been there, it's very easy to spot someone else who is there. Our past experience has given us a unique compassion and sensitivity. Through it, we were unknowingly in training to help other's in pain - and our past misery now serves a purpose. There really is amazing "Discovery in Recovery" - and if we look for good, we will find good.

We begin to spread the word, not the disease. And the word is the truth. And the truth set's us free. There's a multitude of discovery on the road to recovery. One discovery is that I am a worthy, valuable human being that has purpose. We develop a new foundation, one that is solid and strong, not about to crumble at every passing storm. And others benefit from our visible and genuine strength and hope . . . and in turn, (and time) also pass it on.

There is hope for friends and families of addictive diseases. Twelve Step associations save lives for all family members.

 God bless and lead you . . .