Here's one more special episode that has been requested by many of our followers.
Let’s talk about enabling
In this episode, we discuss how enabling can inhibit the chances of an addict’s recovery by shielding them from the realities of a grown-up life.
The truths we reveal in this episode:
- The enabling of loved ones makes it easy or possible to keep the addict’s addiction alive and progressing.
- Many people close to the addict/alcoholic enable them without having any idea that it’s happening. They are in involuntary denial until they get the unwanted but necessary wake-up call.
- When we enable, we deny the opportunity for the addict to feel the heat…to experience the learning that comes with feeling the consequences. When we excuse, explain and cover for the addict, we keep the addict in a dependent, childish state, shielded from reality.
- We are sitting ducks for the addict to steal our money, our time, our oxygen and our peace of mind unless we become aware of our dysfunction as enablers.
- Just like Tony said: don’t quit trying to quit. Hardly anybody gets it right the first time out, so do not be too discouraged. At least your loved one is giving it a shot.
