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Addiction Treatment

Everything is Temporary & Screw Guilt

Answered by Jim LaPierre, LCSW, CCS

Question

I have a choice to find a sober living home that my 8 year old daughter can stay with me or to leave her with her grandparents for a few more months until I get back on my feet. She wants to be with me and I miss her so much but my parents think it is too hard on her and me to move her around before I am really ready for her. I can barely think straight still cause I am only 3 weeks clean off meth so I really do not know what to do. I was a mom on meth trying to juggle all the balls in the air until they came crashing down all at once. She is my angel and I have to spend the rest of my life making up to her for everything she had to go through already so I don’t want to make a mistake right away.

Thank you for your question - your love for your daughter comes through loud and clear and your desire to do what's best for her i awesome. I also hear a LOT of guilt in your words - while I don't fault you for that I do say that when we make decisions and parent based on guilt or fear...t just doesn't work out well.

I want to encourage you to take things slowly and view them as temporary moves and decisions. Your daughter's needs and stability come first. Now - I'm going to share with you something I say to a lot of moms and it usually either makes thm angry or they blow it off - but please hear me - YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU

I know - it's hard to hear that but it's vital. You taking a few months to improve the foundation of your recovery will benefit you and your daughter for a lifetime. It's worth it. She's worth it. You're worth it.

Prayers being sent your way. Go kick ass in your program

Best,

Jim

About the Expert

Jim LaPierre

LCSW, CCS

Brewer, United States of America

Specialties

Anger Management, Gay Lesbian Issues, Spirituality, Divorce, Compulsive Disorders, Trauma and PTSD, Life Coaching, Addiction or Substance Abuse, OCD, Mood Disorders, Parenting, Domestic Abuse or Domestic Violence, Anxiety or Fears, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorders, Relationship Issues, Women, Loss or Grief, Eating Disorders, Depression, Finding Your Purpose in Life

License

my_license #LC9830