PART ONE: Let me preface what I’m about to discuss by saying I love AA and the 12-Step program. It truly saved my life, and I will be eternally grateful for this divinely inspired organization. A big thank you for the 40+ years of sobriety it has given me.

Although we generally focus on posts that give readers a message of hope, this emotional reality check is a “must-read.” If you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t understand addiction because of firsthand experience, I hope you never do. 

Siblings often find themselves caught in the middle of the recovery process. In the story of the prodigal son, a father waits and watches expectantly for his wayward child's return. The boy left home, squandered his inheritance, and wasted a big chunk of his life.

Addiction is often called a family disease, yet many dispute this, saying they do not have the problem. They say the problem is with the person taking drugs. However, addiction wraps its tentacles tightly around those closest to the addict, most typically family and friends.

It is difficult to think back to my son Daniel’s story and his addiction. It is hard to relive the pain of that time in my life. I do so to remember the lessons I have learned more clearly and perhaps to help someone else who may be facing this destructive disease.

Holiday gathering? Do some pre-event strategizing.

For some families, holidays are just another excuse to get together, eat good food, and have a good time. They’re not looking for articles like this one because they’ve somehow figured out the formula for successful family togetherness with minimum stress.

…but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road.
Is Relapse Part of Recovery?
Addiction is often described as a chronic relapsing disease. Relapse occurs when someone in recovery chooses to try controlled use again after attempting to stay abstinent. We understand that addicts and alcoholics can’t effectively control their substance use.

Changing Lives has offered the option of family virtual counseling for many years. This has worked very well and continues to grow. Since I do not do psychotherapy but focus on addiction counseling for family members, virtual counseling is even better than face-to-face counseling in many ways.

The Value of Consequences. It seems that among our many blog posts, the most universal truths are found in those that discuss consequences—and the important role they play in everyone’s life. These ideas apply to all, from toddlers and teens to middle-aged and elderly people.

One thing that has surprised us at Changing Lives in recent years is how many phone inquiries we get for counseling. We began offering this service about five years ago. Back then, we only knew that many families, mostly moms and wives, wanted specific advice about their situations. Since then, the virtual counseling has grown and gone beyond our expectations. We have had hundreds of people, both men and women, use this valuable resource. 

The advantages of virtual counseling compared to in-person, face-to-face sessions are numerous and diverse. I’ve highlighted the main points in this post. Convenience, Comfort, Economy, and Privacy.