A Step Forward is a Step Forward

The journey to recovery is a series of consistent steps forward. It’s important for us and our loved one to “see” these victories three posts: “There Can Be a Path Home“, “Against All Odds“, “Running Out of Steam” provide a lot of ideas and thoughts on the things I can help my loved one win the fight to recovery.

Every step forward is a step forward . . . even when it may not look that way!

Below is a list of a few in our story, some of them weren’t pleasant but they were “Steps Forward”.

A conversation about “how” Lauren felt she ended up addicted – A huge moment for me and I believe a deep connection for Lauren and I was an early morning when she was awake, as she often was, as I was heading into work. We sat with one another, we prayed and we talked. She shared the reasons why she felt she ended up addicted. The post “Conversations” explains why this is so important

The night she came home from treatment and shared what she was learning about herself – It is not always easy to see the positive amidst the negative, especially when someone we love is fighting addiction, there is just so much negative. But, if we looking hard enough in the midst of the rumble and fall out of all the chaos we may find a glimmer of hope. It’s important to note those and celebrate them. Read “ReLearn” to understand more.

The first time she overdosed – By the time this day ended I believed it was the worst day of my life, I just could not comprehend that things would get worse, they did. For LaLa this horrendous event was a point of change, it was in some ways a move forward. “Second Chance” explains more.

When she revealed to the world that she was addicted – Lauren never wanted anyone to know about the things going on in her life. Consequently, it was a huge step forward for her when she told the world she was addicted. We were so very proud of her as we explain in “A Moment of Great Pride”.

Looking forward to starting something new in the fall – The last night Lauren was alive we talked about how she was doing in her recovery. She had plans to start a new trajectory in her career in the fall, she was going to school for radiology. It is important to help our loved ones cast a vision for a better tomorrow. “Junkies Are People Too” explains what that looked like for Lauren.

Moving to recover is an uphill battle. It is slow, it takes time, it’s easier with someone by my side, and it can be done.

This weeks featured image is by Brooke Shaden, it is called “The Uphill Battle”.