Families Anonymous

Hi Zed81 We've all been where you are now at some time or another. Do try to call the helpline 0207 498 4680 between 1-4 and 6-9, there's someone there every day. You'll talk to an FA member who understands. They will help you to get to a meeting at a time that suits your work schedules. There are o...

Hi Angelwings I understand the root of the resentment you are feeling but it is the resentment itself that is so exhausting, more than anything else. Even lots of running around and fetching and carrying can be pleasurable if it's done without resentment. They say resentment is allowing another pers...

nar-anon have a meeting in Queens Park but probably not actually meeting at the moment,
their website suggests online only meetings.

Hi Spacewagon123 I agree it is very tough saying no to requests to pay off the dealers. But it is possible. Even when I understood logically that paying off the debt didn't end it, it has the opposite effect of giving them the green light to continue selling the drugs. Understanding it intellectuall...

Hello After a long time of keeping it all under control it's no surprise you're all over the place with the flood of emotions so you're doing all the right things with therapy and I hope you've got an FA meeting as well. I've been where you are. I figured it took a long time to get to the point of s...

Hi Gloria You used the word 'finally', but there is no 'finally' with addiction. Even in recovery there is the chance of relapse. And drug-free doesn't always mean free of drug-related behaviour like lying, arrogance, selfishness etc. But you know this I'm sure. When my son asked to come home I set ...

Hi Joemily You can talk to someone on the phone now by calling the FA helpline 0207 498 4680 1-4 and 6-9 pm daily. In FA we learn to take care of yourselves and take the focus off the person causing problems and put it back onto ourselves. It's easy for well-meaning friends to think that your only d...

Dear Cat I know addicts who have got clean through the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous. It is free. Their number is 0300 999 1212. The helpline is manned up till midnight daily. But your son will need to call them, not you. If he comes up with excuses then he's not desperate enough. They need to be des...

Hi mamaBear123 You don't have to 'deserve' to go to an FA meeting. The need for a meeting is determined by how we are, not by how they are. The only requirement for membership of FA is to be concerned about a loved one's drug use or associated behavioural problems. You don't even need to know what o...

Slow down, Hal2000, one day at a time. You haven't lost her. Panic and fear is a common reaction, so I'm not going to say don't worry about the future. If she's just entered rehab then it's not going to be a short journey and anything can happen. When we face the addiction of someone we love, we lon...

Hi Mariangela Going to FA meetings and working the 12 steps for myself has helped me to change. It's tough doing it alone and getting a sponsor is recommended. But within the 12 steps are the processes and actions needed to identify and change how we let negative emotions like anger and fear affect ...

Hi Marie3 I totally empathize with your post, I can hear the panic and despair in your words. I have been in the same place with my son, the suicide threats, the homelessness, being beaten up, and constant begging for money, and always someone else's fault. I too used to pay the bills, buy the food,...

Dear Hayho It can be scary when a close friend does something out of character and it is understandable you want to help. But has she asked you for help? what I have found mostly when a drug user asks for help, what they want is to carry on using more than anything. That usually means they want mone...

The trouble with Christmas is that everything around us raises our expectations of a perfect day, a perfect family, a perfect meal, perfect children, perfect table setting, presents, weather, decorations ad infinitum. Thanks to my FA program I know that perfection is not only impossible to achieve, ...

Hello comfort blanket and welcome to Families Anonymous. The circumstances that brought me to FA are very similar to yours, and to pretty much everyone in this fellowship. You have found a place where people understand and will support you, never judge nor give advice. FA is a self-help fellowship, ...