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Addiction Help for Loved Ones
Finding Hope Family Support Groups
Written By
Finding Hope Team
Addiction Help for Loved Ones
I've always wanted to call myself a runner, but every time I've tried, something gets in the way, and I stop. Recently, I started running again, and during one of my runs, the Lord revealed something to me. As I was running along the path, I realized how much this process mirrors our journey in recovery, especially when we love someone who struggles with substance abuse.
When we plan a run, we usually know where we'll start and where we’ll finish. That gives us a sense of control, of certainty. But if I'm running and I focus too much on how far away the finish line is, it becomes overwhelming. I start thinking, "I’m never going to make it." However, when I shift my focus to the strides I'm taking, one step at a time, the journey feels possible.
This is so much like our recovery and the experience of loving someone with addiction. When we focus on the distant goal of healing, it can feel out of reach. But if we break it down into small, manageable steps, progress becomes real, and we can keep moving forward.
In the same way, recovery isn’t about rushing to the finish line or fixing everything at once. It’s been said that our journey is a marathon, not a sprint, and like any marathon, it’s about endurance, not speed. We should focus not on how fast we’re going but on the fact that we’re still moving forward. Also, it’s important to focus on our recovery, not the pace or progress of our loved one. Just like in running, we can only control our own steps, not the path someone else is on.
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