Dallas Bragg explains how safety nets like supportive family or a tolerant partner keep people with addiction from hitting bottom, but trap them in chronic stress and anxiety instead. The only way out is telling someone and bringing the problem into the light.
Sometimes you keep going back to Tina because you have too many safety nets. You're not hitting rock bottom and it's too comfortable because the pain has not outweighed the pleasure. Some of you live with family and they don't mind you disappearing for a week or two. Some of you have a partner and you're open and they let you come back every time to a warm bed and warm food. Some of you can use in a very measured way and continue to function in your job. Some of you are those Lone Rangers on the weekends, and you only use by yourself, and it doesn't affect your life. But let me tell you, your nervous system is shot because you're living life waiting for the shoe to drop. You know this isn't what you're supposed to do. You know that disaster is on the other end of the next use. You know that your health and your life is going nowhere because of this habit. The best way to get rid of this safety net is tell somebody. Bring this out of the dark into the light.
