When Family Loves Us To Death.

When Family Loves Us To Death.

"Mom, I was arrested."

"For what???"

"Drug possession."

"YOU ARE SMOKING WEED?"

"No, mom...meth."

Silence

If my mug shot hadn't been blasted over the internet, I'm not sure when I would have ever come clean to my mom about my meth addiction.

My momma didn't understand how to manage a son with an addiction, much less the nuances surrounding gay men addicted to meth. All she knew was that she saw the soul underneath the pain and she was going to do anything in her power to help me get better.

But that was a LONG road of trial and error.



On the 6/20/24 episode of the Aftermeth podcast, we had the privilege of hearing Mark's inspiring story of overcoming crystal meth addiction and finding his path to authenticity and sobriety. Mark's journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, offers valuable insights for anyone struggling with addiction or seeking to live a more genuine life.

Escaping the Enabling Environment: One of the crucial steps in Mark's recovery was recognizing the need to break free from an enabling environment. For Mark, this meant leaving behind a family that, despite their love, inadvertently perpetuated his addiction. By moving to a new city, Mark was able to take responsibility for his actions and face the consequences of his choices head-on.

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Reflective Question: What aspects of your current environment might be enabling your addictive behaviors? How can you create a space that supports your recovery?

Finding Spiritual Grounding: Mark found his spiritual foundation in the AA program, which provided him with a sense of maturity and grounding that he hadn't experienced in other support groups. By connecting with a higher power and embracing the 12 steps, Mark was able to cultivate a sense of peace and purpose in his life.

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Reflective Question: What role does spirituality play in your recovery journey? How can you deepen your connection with a higher power or find meaning in your life?

Embracing Honesty and Accountability: One of the most powerful aspects of Mark's story was his willingness to be open and honest about his struggles, even in the face of potential judgment. By sharing his truth with his neighbors, landlord, and employer, Mark found a supportive network that celebrated his sobriety milestones and held him accountable.

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Reflective Question: What fears hold you back from being fully honest about your addiction and recovery? How might embracing vulnerability and transparency support your journey?

Mark's story is a testament to the transformative power of authenticity, spiritual grounding, and accountability in the recovery process. By breaking free from enabling environments, cultivating a meaningful connection with a higher power, and embracing honesty, Mark was able to rebuild his life and find true happiness in sobriety.

Journal Prompts:

  1. Reflect on a time when you felt truly authentic and aligned with your values. What did that feel like, and how can you cultivate more of that feeling in your life?
  2. Write a letter to your addiction, expressing what you've learned about yourself and your life through your recovery journey. What do you want to leave behind, and what do you want to cultivate moving forward?
  3. Imagine yourself one year from now, living a life of sobriety and authenticity. What does that look like, and what steps can you take today to move closer to that vision?

There have been several stories on the podcast regarding interventions that went well. A group of friends or family drew a line in the sand with the addict that prompted them to get sober.

But, this was the first time we heard of the addict cutting himself off from family as a means of getting sober. Are you being enabled by family who are loving you to death? What will it take for you to stand up and make a different choice?

Love, Dallas 💚


P.S. If you've wanted to get your journaling practice started but just don't know where to begin, I'm offering a new introduction video along with my personal journal template. You can download it here: