I Love Addicts

I have so much I want to talk about this week!

Twelve Step Group was really amazing on Sunday.

I love group.

Like, LOVE it.

Those are my people.

There is something to be said for sitting in a room with others who get it, who understand, who are on the same path as you.

There was a new guy in group on Sunday.

He came in a few minutes late.

We had already started, so introductions were completed.

When it came to sharing time, he was one of the last to share.

He began with, "Hey, I'm *P* and I'm a drug addict. I just got out of jail. I was there for a week because I missed a court date..."

He talked about how, while he was in the holding cell waiting for to see the judge, there were about 12-15 other men in the same 8'x9' cell. These were murderers, attempted murderers, armed robbers, etc.

There was a young man in there who was visibly nervous, very emotional... scared to death.

All of these men are shackled. It's super loud and chaotic in the cell.

*P* looked at him and asked him if he wanted him to say a prayer.

The young man said that he would really appreciate it.

*P* began to pray.

The entire cell went silent.

When the prayer was over, it immediately got routy again.

But for that moment, these "hardened" men were respectful of the God that was being prayed to.

*P* then told the group, "I love addicts."

We all kind of giggled.

He continued, "Addicts are some of the most compassionate people there are. Addicts get it. People who are not addicts want to tell us that they get it... but they really don't. Often times those who are not addicts tell addicts to 'just stop. Just knock it off. Just quit it. You're ruining your life and the lives of those around you.'" That's not how addiction works."

And, he's right.

I love addicts, too.

I love sitting in group each week and knowing that these people get it.

We are all on this journey together, doing our BEST every single day to fight a battle in ourselves.

And, when someone relapses (which, FYI, is part of addiction and recovery), there is no judgement in group. None. There is love and support and kindness and understanding and everyone rooting for the rise of everyone else. Literally.

I can't wait for Heidicction Live this week.

I'm going to talk more about this and other things.

I love addicts, too.

All of them.