jtee

I have experience dealing with addicts in my family and know beyond any doubt that their addiction will cause major damage to family members if given so much as a inch. I'm extremely hardcore and upfront, not afraid say "I love you, but you can not be trusted. I will not hesitate to call the police and have you arrested for the slightest suspicion of illegal activity"

People with addiction need the proper family support\compassion because it unlikely they will succeed on their own, but addiction is a powerful force that will take down families who don't have the power to be hardcore. Some people who don't understand how do deal with addicts might think that being hardcore (ie not bailing them out of jail, not giving them money, not letting them break a single house rule, etc, etc) is too tough, but any sober\recovering addict will tell you that being hardcore is the only way to handle it, the moment an addict senses and opening, it weakens them. Addicts need to be around people who are tough and will not back down. For them to succeed, they need to be environment where a second chance is not a fall back option. If they are given a second chance, they know there will be a third, fourth, fifth, etc. Maybe finally after the addict scams them out their entire life saving and retirement fund, they finally understand that they can love the addict, but not allow themselves to be victims\enablers any longer.