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These stories are some of the most painful possible, and my heart goes out to all the people who have to deal with the emotions caused by loving someone who cannot be prevented from self-destructive behavior. In my observations of how society receives people struggling to cope with such situations, I am appalled by how little sympathy and support people like Gina receive, and how often the sympathy is directed instead toward the source of their pain. Oftentimes the person with a substance abusing homeless family member is urged to be patient and supportive, or even blamed for the problems, as if they didn't already experience agonies of anxiety, powerlessness and undeserved guilt already. 

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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