You never conceived of the notion that addiction could happen in your family, or that any of your friends would become dependent on harmful substances, or become alcoholic. Now you realize it could happen to anyone.

You are a firm believer in tackling problems head-on as soon as you are aware of them, but this situation is not so easy to manage. In fact, you aren’t sure you can control any of it, no matter how hard you try. Confused, hurt, lost … what are you going to do? Addiction affects everyone around the person with the substance misuse problem. How are you going to protect everyone? How do you help the one with the problem? What did you do wrong? How can all of this be fixed?

One question after another crashes through your thoughts. You wish this was about tattoos or body piercings other families argue over. You’d know better what to do about those problems. But this … Where can you go for help? Who will understand? Not judge you but listen and help you figure out what to try next?

Last year Family Recovery Center (FRC) told you about Families Anonymous (FA). This support group focuses on the three C’s of Addiction:

We didn’t cause it.

We can’t control it.

We can’t cure it.

FA also focuses on the three C’s of Recovery:

Choice.

Change.

Courage.

Whether you admit it or not, you are struggling to recover your life. Everyone has to be responsible for his or her choices and consequences. Change begins with self. You can’t change anyone else. Everyone has to decide what is best for self. When family and friends change, the person with the addiction changes, too. Courage might be the most difficult, especially when you think – or rather feel – with your heart.

FA came about because retired Pastor Doug George saw some of his parishioners struggling with this very thing. He saw a place was needed where people could talk to each other in a safe place, to help each other find their ways through the tragedies of addiction, a place where they wouldn’t be judged.

“Together we help each other,” said Fred K. “You can’t tell an addict anything. He or she has to make the decision.” It’s hard, he said, trying not to enable them, trying to rescue them, trying to fix everything.

It’s called “tough love” for a reason.

Initially FA met at FRC’s Oxford House in Salem. Recently it was announced that FA will begin meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays beginning Nov. 2, 2021. Meetings will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 244 S. Broadway, Salem. Use the lower level entrance at the cafÈ. Current Ohio Covid-19 guidelines will be used to keep everyone safe.

For more information about this faith-based recovery support group, call 234-247-1875. Contacts are Marie H., 330-277-7611 or Fred. K, 330-501-7461. You can find the website at www.familiesanonymous.org.

Addiction has no address, but Family Recovery Center does. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by United Way of Northern Columbiana County.