You are not alone…
Growing up with someone in your family who struggled with substance use or abuse is an exceptionally hard thing to go through. Whether you’re certain this is a part of your story or still unsure, these are common experiences you may be having as an adult:
You were frequently around people who acted “strange”, were actively imbibing, and were hard to fully trust
You feel overly responsible for other people’s happiness
When you think back on your life, you found a lot of the activities in life revolved around substances and other peoples’ moods
You feel the attention towards your own needs went unmet by important adults in your life
You may currently be in a relationship with another adult who struggles with substance use or struggle with substance use yourself
Alcoholism and addiction are diseases that affect the individual AND all members of their family. Here are some things that can help:
Talk about the impact this experience had and likely still has on your life
Identify ways this experience still affects your life and behaviors today
Develop new skills and ways of being with people where your sense of self is not sacrificed
If substance abuse is a part of your family story, know that you are not alone and there is an abundance of hope for you.