Goodby to addicts! (article) by Sandi Lyn Schraut on AuthorsDen

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Reviewed on January 29, 2011

Beautiful expression of what is so common in our culture. Everyone living and breathing on this planet loves another that is addicted to something that has the potnetial to destroy them both.

Reviewed by Janet Caldwell

Reviewed on October 28, 2007

Excellent advice. We've also said good riddance to the addicts that we knew. Whether it's drug, alcohol or people addiction, they cab suck the life out of you. We are very proud of you for getting your degree, your self esteem in tact and moving on. Good for you friend.

Janet & Alan xoxoxo

Reviewed by Flying Fox Ted L Glines (Reader)

Reviewed on December 26, 2006

Deep feeling here, Sandi, and well expressed. I think it is very appropriate for you to withdraw from your attempts to nurture drug addicts. Someone once said (it might have been Jesus) "I love you but I don't like what you do." This statement sets up an adult frame for viewing an addict, instead of the parental frame where you try to nurture them. Nurturing only works when the food you offer is what the child seeks - all else will be rejected. My organization interacts with convicted criminals in jails, prisons, and juvenile detention facilities. We have found that about 80% of them are (or were and will be again) drug addicts. Everything from marijuana to heroin to crack and methamphetamine. The drugs provide them with a "world" where they can be high and empowered and happy - as opposed to living in their sober "normal" selves which are depressed, afraid, self-damaging and awful. The use of drugs makes their "normal" life even worse, as they lose family and friends, and their perceived need for the release of drugs increases. These people live in a speedily descending spiral. And they are very seldom looking to be rehabilitated; they are looking for drugs. You found that you have nothing to offer them because they were looking for right-now euphoria rather than someday salvation. Dave Harm expressed it perfectly, I think. He made his own personal decision (12 years ago) to be sober, and he still makes that decision every day. Your essay is well expressed as a stated closure on a bad situation. Well done.

Ted

Reviewed by Rebecca Burns (Reader)

Reviewed on July 2, 2006

wow, that was intense and full of feeling.
Rebecca

Reviewed by Marguerite Lemoine

Reviewed on May 7, 2006

Thanks for sharing this beautiful article - Could not have said it as well but I know it will help some victims as well as those who love and are effected by these adictions to come to realize that they are loved and they need not do harm to their minds and bodies by finding another god - That they have the only Father God, Son and Holy Spirit (The Trinity) they need to carry them through this Valley Of Tears - Marguerite The Little Flower

Reviewed by Elizabeth Taylor (Reader)

Reviewed on April 8, 2006

Good advice and common sense.
The world is in short supply of common sense.
I don't have much patience with people who screw up their lives and then expect to be rehabilitated with charity, only to screw up again and again and again. Anyone who would waste their lives on something that has no redeeming value, can stay in their gutter. The rest of us have a life to live and being another crutch for those who can't hold themselves together isn't my idea of common sense.

Best,
Elizabeth

Reviewed by Dave Harm

Reviewed on April 8, 2006

Excellent letter... as an addict, I know how easily it is to manipulate the ones you "love" into your addiction and fantasy world.

In recovery, bridges still haven't been rebuilt even though I've been sober for close to 12 years. I hold no bitterness nor anger - I do understand their uncertainty. But someday, in God's time, we will be reunited and I can wait. The only thing I can do is be clean and sober, when that time comes.

For every co-dependent, don't think about it, don't believe the stories - run! It's your life and health that you should be concerned with - not theirs. They made their choice - now it's time to make yours...