Why The Addicted Family?

Image via Wikipedia Addicts are seldom a single entity. I for one, will go on record as saying, I don't like giving addicts excuses by blaming their families. That being said, the reason for the title The Addicted Family is because the whole family is made ill by the addiction.

If you ever spent a sleepless night, or rode around looking for your addict all over town, or lied to people to cover for the addict, you're just as ill as they are. Don't fret, this is how love copes initially with this type of disease.

We do things, in the name of love that defy logic in the eyes of those not in this vortex. We even imitate some of the addicts behavior. No? Have you ever lied, even though it went against what you believe in?

Have you ever given them money that you knew wasn't all yours to give to help them get a fix so they wouldn't get sick? Have you helped them break the law by driving them to where ever they go to  get what they need?

You become an addict, you are addicted to them, their life, their needs come before your own. You are absorbed into their soul, and your happiness is only when you know where they are, and that they are ok...for the moment. When you see them, you are getting your temporary fix.

You breathe a sigh of relief when they finally show up at your door, and collapse on your couch. Maybe they were out all night, maybe they drove a car under the influence...no matter what the circumstances, you are now like the addict, once he pulls that strap off his arm, or has that final drink before he passes out.

This is why the family is now the addicted family. Its no dig on you, you've done what you could. What lies in store for your happiness now? Does it all hinge on the addict? Does it all come down to what they are going to  do, or does it fall squarely in your lap, and what you will no longer do?