The Four Don’ts!

People in recovery for co-dependency (people that have an addict in their life or family of origin made up the four don’ts to help others cope with this problem. They learned it through the school of hard knocks which involved frustration & emotional suffering.

1. Don’t do anything for an addict that you do not want to do.

2. Don’t do anything for an addict that you are not asked to do.

3. Don’t do anything for an addict that they can do for themselves.

Co-dependents of addicts would be wise to keep the focus on themselves & their own behavior & simply let go of the addicts in their life. Stop enabling them & allow them to fall or hit bottom as a result of the painful consequences of their compulsive addictive behavior (accept God’s will for the addicts in their lives).

Time will take care of all addicts & all addicts must ultimately answer to their addiction & no one else or anything else including the God of their understanding which in reality is their higher power (God) as addiction always eventually takes over complete control of them, their minds & their lives.

Sounds easy enough but in reality it is very difficult to do because of a feeling called fear (false evidence appearing real).

Fear of what might happen to an addict in their life if they do not do this or that (valid fear as addiction is often fatal).

The parents & family members of any type of addict are virtually powerless over their behavior or choices but it usually takes them a long time to come to that conclusion for themselves.

They want to help the addict in their life because they love & care about them.

They try to do everything they can to reason with & help their addicted loved ones & try to save, fix or rescue them.

They simply have no idea how powerful & serious addiction really is.

Not in the beginning.

Their efforts although well meaning & honorable are usually a waste of time & energy & have no effect on the disease of addiction or the addict whatsoever.

One person in recovery for co-dependency said that when it comes to dealing with an addict in your life if you do the exact opposite of what you think you should you will probably be right most of the time.

Addiction Is A Very Serious Problem.

Addiction can & will kill a co-dependent’s loved one.

Enabling simply speeds up the process.

The Word No Is A Valuable Weapon Against The Disease Of Addiction!

It Has Forced A Lot Of Addicts To Suffer Severe Emotional Pain & Hit Bottom!

Pain Is The Only Thing That Will Ever Convince Any Addict That They Have A Problem & Need To Reach Out For Help & Get Themselves Into A Program Of Recovery!

They Call It Tough Love!

The Only Person That Can Save Or Fix An Addict Is The Addict Themselves!

If They Do Not Want To Save Or Fix Themselves By Reaching Out For Help There Is Nothing That Anyone Can Do!

Not Even Members Of Their Own Family!

That Is Why Drug Dealers, Bars, Night Clubs, Taverns, Carry Outs, Gas Stations, Liquor Stores, Embalmers, Funeral Homes & Grave Yards Make A Lot More Money Off Of Addiction Than Professional Substance Abuse Counselors, Therapist Or Treatment Centers!

Addiction Is No Joke & It Is No Small Thing & Neither Is Co-Dependency Or Enabling!

Co-Dependency & Enabling Have Helped Many Addicts Find Their Way To An Early Grave!