Later that year I almost died, twice. I overdosed on meth twice within the same week and should not have lived through it. My parents were prepared. They were ready. They would have survived my death because they let go.
And I’ll tell you what, I am entirely convinced that I survived my disease because they let go.Because they let me almost die. Because they let me sit in jail for two months when they could have gotten me out. They gave me a chance at life because they stopped trying to save me.
Your child’s addiction will destroy a lot of things, but it doesn’t have to destroy you. You can survive their tornado. You can be the one that’s left standing when everything crumbles around you. You can be the calm amidst the storm.
I talk to parents of addicts all the time who are looking for guidance and advice. My response to them is always the same, “find a way to let go.”
“But what if…”
Find a way to let go. The best thing you can do for your addict is to take care of yourself. To be there for your spouse and to hold your other kid’s hands as they walk through this with you.
My boys are 1, 3, and 4 and I’m already preparing. I’m working, daily, on letting go of outcomes. On being okay, no matter what happens. On strengthening my faith so that it works under all conditions, in every circumstance. On developing a relationship with God so that when it’s time to let go, I have someone to let my child go to.
I don’t have to learn how to fight, the fight will intuitively come. I will do what I have to do until I can’t do it anymore. We all will. Every parent of an addict will fight with everything they have in every possible way until they just can’t fight anymore.
What we have to prepare for is what happens next.
What we need to learn is how to let go.
**This article originally appeared on feelingsandfaith.net, published with permission.
