Drama. Drama. Drama.
No one wants a life that feels like a reality TV show gone sideways.
But the reality is that life can feel like one endless binge-watch of an off- the- rails reality TV show when you are dealing with the family systems illness of addiction.
Many families feel hijacked by the constant extremes of unpredictable events and emergencies that are a painful symptom of the disease of addiction.
Over time, all those crisis’ and the accompanying relentless demands for constant red zone reactions can become deeply embedded in a family system as a way of life.
It’s a big hot mess.
And, sadly, one that can create emotional scars, rifts and isolation throughout a family system lasting for generations.
Time to grab the remote and change the channel to another show.
This is not a challenge you can solve alone. My family sure couldn’t. We put together a team to help us all heal.
Every family’s process for managing drama and dysfunction is different. Some sources of support include: family programs at rehabs centers, counselors who specialize in family addiction issues, recovery professionals, family recovery coaches, 12-Step fellowships, faith-based initiatives and family recovery groups.
Over time I found some simply stated wisdom can help with keeping perspective – and even added a bit of humor to these perplexing situations.
Forty miles into the woods, 40 miles out of the woods.
Dalai Lama
You don’t have to attend every argument you are invited to.
Tell your mountain about your God.
Silence is better than unnecessary drama.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Attention! This is a Drama-free zone.
Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.
You find peace not by rearranging the circumstances of your life, but by realizing who you are that the deepest level.
Eckhart Tolle
Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.
Isaiah 26:3
How do you manage the drama that comes with a family addiction crisis?
What support systems do you have in place for managing the challenge of the family systems illness of addiction?
Do you have a favorite saying that helps you keep peace in your heart?
Please share here. We can all be inspired by our collective experience, strength and hope.
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