I am an addict in recovery myself. The issue is not the drugs. The SYMPTOM is the drugs. The ISSUE is the incredible lack of self-worth and absence of any self-love.
Hey Laz, did you post this before? I’m having some day-ja-vu here.
It’s too bad what some people do to themselves, a true waste.
Glad you’re back and out of that mess. I was starting to worry about you.
> I am an addict in recovery myself. The issue is not the drugs. The SYMPTOM is the drugs. The ISSUE is the incredible lack of self-worth and absence of any self-love.
OK, let’s say that it is as you say (it probably is). How much of that can you fix, without damaging yourself in the process? (the latter part being most important — “always put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others” as the airlines say.)
If she does not value herself, you can’t make her do it.
I’d argue that the drugs exacerbate the problem of low self-esteem. Just possibly they cause it. One thing that I do know is this: the price you will pay for finding out is likely to be far too high.
Don’t toss her on the trash heap: definitely don’t do that. That wouldn’t be kind, and it wouldn’t be right. But her solution begins when she can set aside the drugs. From there she has a base upon which she can build.
But the drugs have to go. First. If she cannot do that, then you probably cannot help her.
Nobody can, in that case.
She must help herself.
I believe that is a far greater problem in this country than we realize.
Just to put it into perspective - how much does our Creator love us? So much that He "...commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Even if we felt we were worthless to anyone on earth, and even to ourselves, the knowledge that the pure and holy Son of God chose to leave His home in heaven, become human like us, live as a man on this earth, tempted by the temptations common to man (yet remain pure and sinless), suffer and die on the cross for us, while we were yet sinners, is all we need to understand to know what we are worth to God and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4: 15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. "
Hebrews 2:18 "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."
I'll pray for this woman and her family, and for you. You did the right thing by sending someone in your place to help her. God bless.
Don't forget that thought when thoughts of "what might have been" start occupying your mind. Until you really let go those longing thoughts will keep coming back but what I quoted above is reality. You should look at having been able to clearly see that for yourself as evidence that you are making progress too. It is easy to start thinking "I haven't changed" when in actuality you have.