The Holiday Season

During the holiday season, as families gather we all have the best intentions. I am thankful for the family and fellowship shared on these days.

However, as we gather remember there may be those that are afraid or hiding from us or themself. Struggles can be inside. As you give thanks and gather try to add these to your menus too. Listen, accept and encourage without judgement. We are only well when all are well.

Everyone needs others at some time in their life. The time for someone that needs you may be sitting next to you today. Reach out your hand and accept what others have to share.

Make a commitment today that you will accept and not condemn. When you do that you will find the true meaning of the season.

>1,000,000

 It is with mixed emotions I write about this milestone.

After I received another email from a parent lost and searching for answer about her daughter's addiction I looked at this blog. A couple years after I began writing this chronicle of our struggle Blogger developed a dashboard with loads of statistical data concerning this site I could privately access. Nothing was available concerning personal information of readers but it did have a simple counter of visitors. When I looked the other day a striking number appeared. There have been over 1,000,000 visitors to this site reading various posts I have written.

It is so sad that after all this time parents are still looking for answers to fight the monster of addiction in their loved ones. I spell out parents but it isn't just parents. Brothers, sisters, grandparents, cousins, friends and anyone affected by drugs and alcohol come here searching for peace. 

Also, as I visit my blog and answer letters from people I feel a deep internal satisfaction that maybe I am helping others through our shared struggles. As just a dumb old dad maybe somehow my twisted words gives someone strength to face the next minute, hour or day. You don't have to be a professional counselor or have a bunch of letters behind your name to be there for someone needing help.

Parenting a child suffering from a life threatening disease like addiction is no longer front and center in my life. However, I know that helping others with this struggle will be a lifelong labor of my soul. 

No one that loves a person struggling with drugs or alcohol must walk this path privately, secretly or alone. There are people, some close and some you have never met with their hand outstretched willing to help. You are not alone, allow those who have traveled this path to help. It will help you, it did me when I was lost many years ago. Maybe that is why I write, first to question others for myself, then to repay and honor all of those that helped me.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

 If you have questions or are struggling reach out to someone. Take care of you first. Personal confession, that is the hardest thing to do. I will answer your email, I will pick up your call. Your pain is real. teamplayer@aol.com

As Time Goes On

It's been over 13 years since I created this blog as an effort to learn more about addiction and find peace for myself during our son's addiction.

So much time has passed and things have changed so dramatically in our life. I'm sure or I hope you have read about our progress. The question that continually enters my mind is what has happened with all of those people and families that regularly read this blog so long ago? What about those that have only discovered this blog lately in a search for help with their own family issues?

Some of those long ago readers I am Facebook friends and hear of their life today. Some of the people like Barbara and Lea that read this and in turn I read their blogs have experienced tragic outcomes.

I would love to hear from everyone about their life, good, bad and ugly. Please share your successes and your tragedies. 

The truth is that unfortunately this blog is still relevant. Blogs are not as popular today as they were in 2009 but I still get new readers and emails all the time from families struggling. 

Your story may be the one that lights a candle in the dark for others in the world of loving a person struggling with addiction.

A simple phrase none of us have forgotten still rings true: 

YOU ARE NOT ALONE.