DEAR HARRIETTE: In a recent column, you advised a woman with a drug-addict boyfriend to attend Al-Anon, which you said was for people with a relationship with an alcoholic and/or drug addict. It is not. It is for families and friends of alcoholics. For families and friends of drug addicts, there is Nar-Anon; for drug addicts, there is Narcotics Anonymous. -- Clarification, Memphis, Tennessee
DEAR CLARIFICATION: Thank you for letting us know about the support groups available for drug addicts and families and friends of drug addicts. I do know that in some instances, Al-Anon has helped people whose loved ones were drug addicts, but I believe it may have been because they were alcoholics, too. Nonetheless, it is helpful to be specific in directing folks to resources that can help them. I appreciate your writing in.
For anyone who is suffering from substance abuse, I urge you to get help. You do not have to travel this journey alone. Same goes for families who are struggling with loved ones who can’t seem to get clean. Being isolated can be disabling. Get help. You deserve it.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)