Message from Dan...

Today I have a guest poster who is one of my Twitter followers.  In my opinion, this guy knows his stuff. This posting is primarily for all my alcoholic readers who are struggling with recovery. There may be some help for you through Mr. Callahan. This one is for you!

Dan Callahan is bad boy who found his way after many detours down the wrong path of life. He ended up on the right road and eventually earned a Master’s Degree from Fordham University in Social Work. He primarily works with patients struggling with substance abuse. He played a significant role in Hands Across Long Island which is the largest and most prominent consumer run mental health agency in the United States. He is the co-author of a New York State training manual and program for mental health and correction service professionals who work with parolees with “serious and persistent mental illness.” All that was taken from his website http://www.happyrecovery.com/

From Dan:

Inaction breeds doubt and fear.  Action breeds confidence and courage.  If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it.  Go out and get busy.  --Dale Carnegie

Fear paralyzes the best of us.  When it comes to alcoholism and addiction more often than not neither the addict nor the family members heed the signs that something is awry early on.  Often fear of taking any action paralyzes them into hoping beyond hope that it is going to get better, somehow. 

For the addict it is all they know.  They justify their use, they do all they can to minimize the challenges they face due to their use.  But in the end if they are afflicted with the "creature" they continue to sink deeper into addiction.

For the family, they just want to believe that it is going to get better.  That by some miraculous act of God their loved one is just going to stop!  They are going to get through their phase and get on with their lives. 

Without action nothing changes.  Hoping is not action, praying is a start.  For the addict an evaluation of how far it has gone and seeking an experts advice on a plan of action is necessary.  For the family, an evaluation of the situation and seek expert advice on how to bring the message to their loved one in a way that illicit's positive action. 

Finally, when the steps are apparent take definitive action.  Recovery requires making the decision to recover.  What does recovery entail?  It starts with complete abstinence, followed by change.  We must change how we think if we are going to find joy.  How we think about life, family, friends, alcohol, drugs, and what we really want out of our lives.
 

Recovery is possible for the family and the addict.  But not without decisive action!

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Visit Dan on his website or twitter him as Happy Recovery.

I welcome requests for being a guest poster on my blog. I’m especially looking for stories from other caretakers of end-stage alcoholics, but I have a strong following of alcoholics and need to hear from you as well. I’m not an alcoholic and need to hear what it is like to be on the receiving end of the caretaking. Knowledge and understanding is the key to survival.

Please join me by helping me help others.

Thanks.