I think we need to find a way to celebrate the family and friends of addicts. It is these people, this support group that often keeps a drunk or addict from relapsing or helps them back when they do. They go thru as much or more pain as they watch what their loved one is going thru. They do all of these things and many more out of plain love. Yes we need to continue to celebrate the addict's milestones in recovery but I don't think we celebrate or thank their support groups nearly enough.

I agree that if we went back and looked how families spent more time and were closer then we would find that many things would change. I think that families who do not need to worry about this are the ones with strong family ties and spiritual guidance along with communication and openness.

We went with my son to his first parole hearing after he got out of prison for a drug-related offense. His parole officer saw him surrounded by family members and told him he was a very lucky young guy. He read us the statistics, and those who have a good support system on the outside are only half as likely to re-offend.

jnjsarauer said: We went with my son to his first parole hearing after he got out of prison for a drug-related offense. His parole officer saw him surrounded by family members and told him he was a very lucky young guy. He read us the statistics, and those who have a good support system on the outside are only half as likely to re-offend.

I really didn't know that. Thats pretty interesting. I thought that many of the people who did offenses and had a good family are just being rebellious and going through a stage. Doesn't that stage go away for everybody?

My cousin got arrested for possession of marijuana and intent to sell about 6 years ago. His parents were furious and they kicked him out of the house as soon as they bailed him out. About a year later he got arrested for the same thing. His younger brother got arrested for also the same thing about 3 years ago, his parents didn't kick him out of the house instead they grounded him and just tried to keep him from doing it and supported him and tried to get him better. He learned his lesson and hasn't done anything wrong since. I think it does make a difference whether family is involved and when family is involved and supporting the addict and helping them get through it they are much less likely to never repeat it again. So that comment above me is very correct!!