Addiction and Recovery: Families in Focus

Feb. 4, 2011 - EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first in a series of articles about addiction and recovery in our community.

[another mom]

this is one of the best and most sincere stories i have read in a long time. i know because i have been there and done that. young and old and all in between should listen up and pay attention...

[same here]

another mom wrote:

this is one of the best and most sincere stories i have read in a long time. i know because i have been there and done that. young and old and all in between should listen up and pay attention...

I agree wholeheartedly. There are so many people who can relate to the experiences discussed in that article. I am the mother of two adult children who are addicts. One of my children is in jail and the other's in rehab.I speak openly about the issues that my family has endured because of this terrible epidemic. I hope to educate people who are ignorent or judgmental. Addiction is prevalent in all types of families.I raised my children in church and my husband and I have master's degrees. I commend The Morehead News and Ms. Hunter for taking this bold step in running this series.

[READIN THE PAPER]

This was an awsome article. I hope more families share their stories. Maybe if enough people speak out it will help stop the this terrible epidemic.

[curious]

wheres the article at

[wonderer]

curious wrote:

wheres the article at

It's on the front page of the Morehead News in Friday's paper, in the middle of the page. It should have been on the top of the page because it was indeed a great article that so many of us can relate to these days. Hat's off to the reporter on this one!!

[paper]

So many of our families have experienced the same as the Skeen's family if not more. My mother is raising 3 of her grandchildren and she is in her 70's. Several of my siblings have addictions to drugs. I live in fear that the next call I will get is that one overdosed or killed someone. Most have been in jail but no long term substance abuse centers. I had to have my oldest child committed for drug abuse. My oldest chose out patient treatment. My biggest fear is to bury her as well. But, I would rather visit a family member in jail than visit their grave.

[SUPPORT]

On monday nights at 7 there are alanon meetings at the living word church. It is located on clearfield st. in west morehead. Its the old Jehovah Witness building. This has really helped our family out.

[SUPPORT]

For those who don't know, these meetings are for the family of a drug user. These meetings help you cope with the drug addiction your family member or your friends actions. They have wonderful people that share their stories. You are not alone and you dont have to deal with it alone. Just go and listen to others if you yourself dont want to share your story, it realy will help.

[same here]

Thanks for the information about the meetings. I will try to go next Monday night.

[Hmmm]

Has anyone read the paper yet today? I'm stuck at work right now and havnt had time to get it. This family focus article is supose to have another interview.

[Morehead News today]

This week the paper has lots of interviews from public officials on addiction, these people deal with it everyday. Interesting take on it. As a former addict I have to say that they are all dead on. If it wasn't for the 6 months in jail and then rehab after that, I wouldn't be clean today. 18 months sober and loving every minute of it. My father is the one who locked me up. Took him a long time to finally see that I was killing myself slowly and killing my family too. I love reading these articles. Hope you all do too. I think this is a 5 week series in the paper. We should write in and ask for more. People need to know these stories and how its killing our community. The morehead news knows my story, and maybe they will share it one day.

[Mom at Life Care]

Morehead News today wrote:

This week the paper has lots of interviews from public officials on addiction, these people deal with it everyday. Interesting take on it. As a former addict I have to say that they are all dead on. If it wasn't for the 6 months in jail and then rehab after that, I wouldn't be clean today. 18 months sober and loving every minute of it. My father is the one who locked me up. Took him a long time to finally see that I was killing myself slowly and killing my family too. I love reading these articles. Hope you all do too. I think this is a 5 week series in the paper. We should write in and ask for more. People need to know these stories and how its killing our community. The morehead news knows my story, and maybe they will share it one day.

Your post gives me hope for my two adult children who are addicts. They are both working on getting clean and sober. My daughter just returned from rehab. My son is still incarcerated but I visit him each week and see a much clearer thinking person. His attitude is positive and it gives me great hope that he will get his life turned. He will hopefully be going to rehab soon. I believe both of my children will be a great support to each other as they work on their road to a clean and sober life. I hope they can encounter individuals such as yourself. I don't know who you are but I can honestly say that I am proud of you for your candidness and for your 18 months of sobriety. God bless you.

[18 months]

Thanks for your Post - Mom at Life Care. You help remind me why I stay clean everyday. I have a brother who got out of Rehab just a few months ago. He is doing well too. I got out of KY after I finished Rehab. I went to an awesome place in Virgina called New Beginnings. Staff is amazing there. I go back often to visit and share my story. I am not proud that I am an addict, but I am proud that I have been able to move forward with my life. So I am always up for sharing my story with people and showing that anyone can be affected by this disease and you can recover. I know that I could relapse any day. But I dont put myself in situations where I would be tempted. I pray for your family and that your son will be successful in his recovery. Your daughter will be an inspiration to him.

[wonderful]

18 months you give me hope for my brother. Thank you!!!

[18 months]

Wonderful - I am glad that I give you hope. I am going thru some hard times right now, but I remind myself everyday that I am doing whats right, and even if I have made mistakes in the past, I am trying to do things right this time.
I have a shoulder injury right now and I could easily tell myself that its okay to take some pills for pain, but I know thats a lie. If i made it thru detox after many years on pills, then this pain is nothing. Some advil and I am back to work. Together we can get thru this. I am happy to have a connection with the morehead news and that they listen to what I have to say as a recovering addict. Spread the word that people can get over this and can have a better life.

[kjdskf]

Has anyone read the paper yet?

[Serenty]

God,Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference.

[You said it]

AMEN