For many of us who’ve recovered from addiction, helping those still suffering from one is usually a part of our spiritual journey. But one of the most difficult things to gauge is just how much help we should give, especially when it comes to those who have a drug dependency. I say this because unfortunately, far too many of us have found that most active drug addicts can’t be trusted. Regrettably most of us have had to find this out the hard way though, like a friend of mine did recently.
Someone he cared about who was still in the midst of their heroin addiction approached him one day and said they were trying to get well. Out of the kindness of his heart and desire to help in some way, my friend offered this person a bed for the night and a warm meal at his own home. His only stipulations were no drugs in his house and to respect his personal belongings. When the person left the next morning, my friend discovered later that evening that most of his DVD series were gone and had probably disappeared sometime in the middle of the night.
Sadly, I have heard stories like this far too often when it comes to drug addicts, notably heroin users. The lies, deceit, and manipulation they use to keep their disease going is incredible, even with those they once loved and cared about. I have known of plenty who have had family heirlooms, expensive jewelry, televisions and other electronic equipment, and many other things get stolen by loved ones who promised they were trying to get well and were going to do the right thing from now on. But that’s the problem, most drug addicts who are still active in their disease are really only thinking about one thing almost every second of the day and that’s themselves and how they’re going to get their next high.
That’s why I personally don’t allow drug addicts to come into my home these days. My home is my safe haven and a place I’m not willing to compromise, not even for a person I love who’s still battling a drug addiction. I set this personal boundary long ago due to reasons such as what happened to my friend. Because the sad reality is that even if the person who’s trying to kick a habit is a best friend, a family member, a partner or former lover, or whomever was once close to us, their minds aren’t thinking clearly or with unconditional love in their hearts anymore. Truly, they’re only thinking with sickness and nothing more.
So the bottom line for me nowadays is to still help the sick and suffering, but not in the way of providing my home as a shelter, or my pockets as a financial institution, or even myself as a food kitchen. Instead, I help those dealing with addiction in the way of getting them to recovery meetings, helping them in the step work, talking to them about God, and praying with them. Because at least with these things, there’s no ability for them to use my help as a means to continue their addiction. Instead, what I provide now is the potential for spiritual healing and hopefully recovery from their disease…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson