For Friends and Family.
Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA) is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other, so they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from addiction to crystal meth. The foundation of the fellowship is regular attendance at meetings where members discuss how they achieved sobriety and a new outlook on their way of living. We recommend a programme of recovery which includes the 12 Steps of recovery set out by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). We cannot offer counselling or suggestions on the situations of friends and family members and loved ones of addicts.
Today, millions of people have recovered from their addiction in 12-step recovery programmes. Many people can relate to the experience of living with an addict – the disruption to family life, the neglect of children, lost time from work and wasted money. Despite all the troubles that crystal meth has caused in your life, you may be unable to accept that the one you love is an addict. The word ‘addict’ conjures up all sorts of negative connotations. Even if the addict admits to being one, you may not be able to admit it yourself. Relief can only come from understanding that addiction is a progressive disease that affects the entire family structure. It may help to remember that addicts are suffering from a progressive and potentially fatal disease. Modern medical thinking is that addiction is not a weakness, lack of willpower or moral failing. Addicts are sick people who can be effectively encouraged to get well, not ‘bad’ people who need to be ‘good’. Modern recovery approaches deal with the family and friends as well as the addict. It is important to not shield the addict from the consequences of their using behaviour, referred to as ‘enabling’. Not enabling the addict may help them become willing to seek help.
Armed with the knowledge that recovery is possible, many people rush in to help the addict find salvation. But many addicts are not ready to turn to CMA simply because a loved one suggests it. Sadly, most addicts do not recover until they become willing to seek help. Our experience has shown it is nearly impossible to ‘make someone recover’; the addict needs to be ready to admit that they have a problem.
Our experience has taught us the value of knowledge and the need for patience in encouraging the addict to seek help. If you care about an addict who is hesitant to seek help, there are several things you can do. We recommend attending open meetings of CMA to become more knowledgeable for the addict who may become receptive to the CMA fellowship – and who may need to have questions answered. Your understanding of the nature of the problem can play an important part in helping the addict achieve sobriety. Also, recognising that there are limited sources of support for families, we offer the information resources below. This does not mean CMA endorses them or is affiliated with them.
It is important to note that the only requirement for membership in CMA is a desire to stop using. Members attend meetings, work with a sponsor, and work the steps of a 12-step recovery programme. Members focus on how to stay clean today and avoid ‘future-tripping’. Recovery may take time and the return to health is often long. But as time goes on, the life of the addict becomes different, and their perception is forever altered.
If you are coping with the pain of having an addict in your life, we suggest a programme like CM-Anon, Al-Anon, or Nar-Anon. They all function as a support mechanism and can offer strategies for coping with a loved one’s addiction. Al-Anon is focused on the families and friends of alcoholics, but their materials will be helpful to the loved ones of all addicts.