Perspective

Perspective is a wonderful thing when one has it. When one does not have perspective it can be debilitating. Addiction takes away a persons perspective. For the addict their perspective is solely on the next high whatever that is. Relationships, work, family, the most important things in life take a back seat to the addition. Perspective on the most important thing in life is lost.

For the loved one of the addict perspective can also be lost. The loved one of the addict is often the one that takes care of the day to day needs of the family. This becomes a very heavy burden. The loved one can become lost so much in the day to day worries that they may lose site of their own value and worth. Dealing with an addict is hard work and doing this for a long period of time takes it's tole on a person. The addict can be ruthless to the loved ones self esteem. They will say or do almost anything to get their next high.

In my experience something that gave me back my perspective is friendship. Getting away from the addict and my responsibilities for a short time helped me to see the world in a new way with new perspective. It helped me to be able to go back to my responsibilities with a new vision. Talking with others, doing something for myself, taking a walk all helped me gain a new perspective.