Question For Recovering Addicts

First let me say congrats to you on your recovery.. I am in hope that I will one day be telling of my sisters recovery. I have a 30 year old sister which I have not seen in over 7 years. She has always fought with addiction. She had a little boy about 8 years back and I thought that was going to be a reason to keep her straight. Unfortunately it wasn't enough.. I live in Panama City and she is in Birmingham AL. I just recently contacted my uncle (I have not spoken to anyone in my family for over 7 years). He told me that my sister was in the worst shape of her life. She is homeless and is working the Truck Stops in the area to support her addiction. She is unaware that I am out here looking for her and wanting to extend my help to her for her to get help if she so desires tht is. I just keep thinking that if she knows I still love her and that I am willing to be a support to her if she is willing to get the help that it may bring her around.. The situations is a deep one. It would be hard to tell all that is involved in her story without it taking days. So in a nut shell ~~~ She ha been a addict since she was 12 or so and has never been this bad as far as I know. She has started working trucks stops to pay for her next high and I am just wanting or needing ideas on how to get the word out there that I am here for her. I have been give ideas such as doing flyers and posting them all in the area that she is at. But I thik I am more worried about how I need to approch her in this situation. What is the best way to approach a person and let them know that you love them and that they are worthy of a good life but only if they get help will i be able to be a part of your life and your recovery itself... I want to do that without putting her on the defensive about it. I know that is crazy to worry about that. But I want her to at least think about it and understand that I am here to help her not be like my dad and use it as a punishing tool or to humliate her. She has not had a good support system in this at all just want her to know I will be a better sister to her than my dad was a father to her.. Any suggestions.......

Kristi
wow-y'knom its a hard place to be for anyone-no matter how strong you are or how much you know about recovery-watching someone else in active addiction-especially when they are reaching their bottom is excruciating. Theres really nothing you can do to help her--all you can do(once you find her) is tell her you love her and youll be there whenever she needs a meal (not $ to buy one) or just when she wants a ride to treatment or a meeting--y'know things like that as far as finding her-if you stay in one spot you know she frequents-chances are she'll show up-but dont expect her to be ready to get better its a process that we dont all make it out alive from-chances are shes getting close to being ready if shes doing the whole truck stop thing-good luck keep us posted-and call the jail everyday to see if shes there-that a good time to reach out to addicts-especially if they have been in for more than a few days-whatever you do dont enable her-keep us posted
I'm so sorry you are going through this pain and worry.
What a good heart you have.

As the other posts have told you, she has to want recovery, you cannot do it for her.

I wish you much luck in finding her, and hope she will be encouraged to know that she has your love. that is really all you can give her.

Please be careful of your own safety. Perhaps you could enlist the aid of your uncle or some other person to be with you as you search.

Keep us posted as to your progress.
I'll keep you and your sister in my prayers.

rita
Its horrible watching someone you love do this to themselves,you cant understand why anyone would do this.
My dad has been addicted to heroin since before i was born, and my ex-partner was a user too. Eventually I became an addict myself but I can see both sides now.

The only thing you can really do is let her know you will be there for her always, and hopefully when shes ready,she will come to you for help.

I hid my addiction from my current partner because of the way he talked about 'junkies' I thought he'd never understand but it came out in the end and I was surprised by his reaction, he has been fantasic.

Let her know you dont judge her for what has happened..be the best sister you can be.

Good luck to all your family..there is a light at the end of the tunnel she just needs to find it for herslf
Kristi, was touched by your post, if only your sister could read it. Like lasttoknow said, be careful. I've never been i that situation with family, i've got five sisters and it would kill me if one of them got habited up. All i can say is make sure she knows you are there for her, you love her, you don't judge her.Anytime she needs you she can come to you. sooner or later hopefully she will. All the best to you and your sis, Kev
..Not much else i can add as its all been said..so good luck in finding ya sister and hoping she gets the help/support she'll need in getting clean..take care..Robbie..
THANKS ROBBIE!!