Things are much better...

I wanted to let you know that my older daughter is doing fine and is back on track with staying away from drugs. She is also seeing a therapist and growing by leaps and bounds!

My younger one is doing okay as well. She wants to be a Mid-wife very badly. It looks like myself and my 2 daughters, and my OLDEST GRANDDAUGHTER will all be in college this semester. :D

My son who move back to Dallas is also doing great. He now has a good job and seems really happy. My little Amber is coming for a visit in two days also. YEA!!!!!

You all saw me through the dark days and I wanted to share the good ones with you too. :)

Thanks for sharing the good news, Yellowrose!!! I was WONDERING how you were doing! :)

This is great news...Y/R

I tell ya, prayer...it does the spirit good.

Will send mine in leaps and bounds.

Paris

I am glad things are going bright for you. :)

Big thumbs up, Texas!

Isn't it great that things always change?

I am so happy for you YellowRose...you are such a sweet, giving person you deserve a stroke of good fortune. It's always darkest before the dawn...keep your chin up.

Yippee Skippy.....I'm so happy to read your good news!!!!

I just love it when things smooth out after some scary-hard times in life. This is exactly where you and your family were meant to be today, and it's a great place, Barb. :)

I'm so glad that things are looking brighter! Wonderful news! :)

Great news Barbara, hope things run smoothly from here on out.

you have something to make you use that beautiful smile now. Many more happy days are in front of you and you family.
Cheers to you all!

Thanks for the update, Barb. I was just thinking about you!!! :D How awesome you'll all be in college at the same time. You can't get a much better support network than THAT!

~phos

Good to hear that things are working out for you and your family. God Bless.

I was also wondering about you, but was too afraid to ask. I'm so glad that things are looking brighter now. :)

You know what? It feels just a good to share the good things in life as the bad! It makes my heart smile to read all your responses. I count each and every one of you as a good friend. I am blessed to have such caring people in my life... thank you very much!

Do any of you watch Intervention on A&E? It is about addiction and show real life addicts using and then having the family intervene. Most of the parents nag and shame the person (son or daughter). I did not do that. Each time my daughter relapsed, I told her that I loved her and hated the addiction. I told her that she could start over and make it.

I told her when she was crying about what she did to me, (stealing the car and credit card), that her heart and conscience were good, but the addict in her was in control. I told her that I got mad NOT when she went out and used, but when she stopped going to meetings, and saw her husband for lunch. I told her to try to stay clean just this ONE day and do the right things just this ONE day.

Last year she used almost constantly from June (when she started the meth) to December. This year she has been clean all year with the exception of a total of about 3 weeks. The main problem with addicts is that SHAME is the basic feeling at the bottom of their psyche so to speak. When one is hammering them, all it does it bring their shame-based personality to the surface and make them want to use more.

It is important to separate the person from the shame. By loving the person and giving DIRECTION to overcoming the disease, it breaks the terrible cycle of addiction.

A lot of this I have learned on my own. I used to give workshops in Dallas to women who were love addicts. I used the same premise along with some meditation work. This is why I want to be an Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselor... I think it is my hearts calling.

I'm so glad things are looking up and you weathered the storm. :)

I think you'll make a GREAT counselor, Barbara. Our experiences may derail us, but different paths open up before us based on those experiences... you're living proof. ;)

((((((HUG))))))) :D

~phos

Happy to hear that things are better. You seem like such a sweet person and you give great advice. Good luck to all of you in college.

Glad to hear the great news, yellowrose, after all you have been through! You are an inspiration and will be an amazing counsellor. I wish you and your family the very best in this new chapter of your lives.

I haven't been on this board too long, but I really appreciated the advice you gave me and others. Glad things are looking up!