I am personally experiencing some pretty tough times with my family member making more empty promises and manipulation. I think one of the most difficult parts is when the person is in denial and defensive. If they don’t agree that reality is not their reality, it becomes next to impossible to talk and be around them. It’s like we’re speaking different languages. I guess what is getting me through the times denial right now is paying only attention to behavior, not the words being said.

And I have found a couple of friends that have dealt with something almost identical, and I cannot emphasize enough how much of a relief it is to have someone else in the loop. It feels wrong to talk about it in the open, because addiction seems to still be a fairly taboo subject. But there’s nothing to be ashamed of. To deny what is happening belittles the struggle everyone is facing. I recommend doing everything possible to find people to talk with about it. And not just about their struggle; find support for you.

Anyone else have things that helped kept you anchored in tough times?