Help for Parents of
Drug Addicts and Alcoholics
by www.Sedona.com
Being a parent is rarely easy, but if your child has a problem with alcohol or drugs it can seem nearly impossible. Parents of drug addicts and alcoholics are often the overlooked part of the equation; the ones who have often tried relentlessly to help the child, by punishment, counseling, caring and even reasoning, only to find their efforts fail.
As a result, these parents experience guilt, confusion, anger and fear, along with a myriad of other biting emotions, including a sense of grief for the child you “lost” to drugs or alcohol.
“Parents of children with addictions of any kind can suffer tremendously,” says Hale Dwoskin, CEO and director of training of Sedona Training Associates.
At the root of the suffering is often believing their child’s actions are their fault, due to “mistakes” such as:
- Not setting stricter limits
- Allowing marriage problems or other difficult times to affect their child
- Not realizing there was a problem
- Allowing themselves to be manipulated or lied to by their child
- Not taking action soon enough
Of course, no matter what has happened in the past, your child’s addiction to drugs or alcohol is not your fault. But realizing this is the hard part.
“One of the main points of suffering for parents is blaming themselves and feeling guilty for their children's mistakes,” Dwoskin says.
“But we often don't realize that blaming ourselves or feeling guilty for other people's actions does nothing to solve the situation and instead makes you feel worse for no reason,” he continues.
Fortunately, even though the situation may seem desperate, there is help for parents of drug addicts and alcoholics. First and foremost, consider joining a support group for others in the same situation. They will be able to direct you to resources that may ultimately help your child.
Next, and just as importantly, it’s time to move forward with your life by letting go of the blame and the guilt.
“The first thing I would recommend parents do is let go of blaming yourself and trying to find out what's wrong with you because of how your child is,” Dwoskin says. “Parents often feel guilty for having normal lives if their children are suffering in any way. Remember that you joining them in their suffering does nothing to help them.”
So one of the best steps you can take as a parent of an addicted child is to learn the process of letting go using The Sedona Method. This process allows you to tap into your inner ability to release negative emotions and become clear in your thinking and at peace with your emotions. It is the light at the end of the storm you’ve been waiting for.
“If you stay clear and happy and go about your life, you're much more likely to be able to provide the wisdom and energetic support your children need as they go through the difficulties of dealing with addictions. The bottom line is keep living your life and let it go.”
This will make you happier and better able to enjoy life, while at the same time putting you in the best position to help your child when he or she is ready. | 
