A raw, vulnerable account of the trauma inherent in caring for an
addict, Finding Myself in a Nightmare: A mother's healing journey
through her daughter's addiction is the story of one mother's experience
as she woke to the truth, learned to navigate the pain, and realized she
had to heal herself from years of self-loathing in order to positively
affect her daughter's recovery. Over a period of five years, Judi
Turkheimer rode a roller coaster of strong emotion as she breathed in
the very real possibility of losing her daughter. There were many days
fraught with fear, hopelessness, and anguish. As Judi began to do the
hard work of healing, feelings of joy and hope started to come out from
the shadows.Through lies and loss, denial and disgust, rehab and
relapse, and finally awareness and acceptance, Judi learned that
unconditionally loving her daughter necessitated not only tough love,
but also self-love. Without loving herself, she knew she was of no use
to anyone else.Intended to validate, support, and encourage, Finding
Myself in a Nightmare is a story of triumphs, mistakes, pain, discovery,
and trust. As Judi takes us into her home and heart, we learn about her
biases, her resistance, and her ignorance. Willing to do what was needed
to help her child, Judi invites us to accompany her on the
journey.Eventually concluding she would be alright, whatever the outcome
for her daughter, Judi offers the tips and tools that kept her from
going insane. Reminding herself to be grateful, set boundaries, take
small steps, and be present in the moment became a full-time job.Finding
Myself in a Nightmare is a book about loving an addict, helping an
addict, and the search for strength and unconditional love at a soul
level. If you love an addict, this book is for you. If you struggle to
find love of self, this book is for you. If you want to learn to love
unconditionally, this book is for you.
