The Strength to Let Go

<p>As I stood in the sunroom looking out the window I thought I caught some movement in our backyard. I walked out onto the slate patio and peered into the dimly lit shrubbery when suddenly a figure dressed in black from head to toe emerged pointing a gun-at me!</p><p>I immediately jerked both hands above my head. Don't shoot! Please don't shoot I croaked. I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears.</p> <p>Our son Mike had come through the front door just minutes before. I had a million questions only he could answer. How had it all come to this? Never in my wildest dreams-or nightmares-could I have imagined a SWAT team in my backyard. But I hadn't imagined our son could become addicted to drugs either. Even though I was a trained counselor I hadn't seen disaster coming under our own roof. As we stumbled through the hell that surrounds addiction my maternal instincts were driving me harder and harder to save Mike. I was consumed with fear as my well intentioned efforts were enabling his addiction and prolonging the inevitable. How could I find the strength to let go?</p> <p>Who will help Mike now? Will he find a special angel from his past to lead him out of this darkness? Will he win the battle to survive? Take a journey so real you will feel the pain and the joy of every twist and turn in the road to recovery.</p> <p><b>If you or someone you care for is struggling with drugs or alcohol Jo's willingness to share her experience is both a blessing and a gift. I encourage you to take The Strength To Let Go home find a quiet place to read uninterrupted and open this gift.<b></p><p>John V. G. Mayton retired program administrator of the DART facility Goldsboro NC certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC) and certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC).</p>