Hi Dan,
How you just explained it then is my mate down to a T!
I’m not sure how to exchange emails on here. It would be good to learn more about the similar things he does as for myself I’m not niave to it, but if I can understand then I have coping mechanisms not to react, how best to talk to him because it always feels like we talk about drugs and the behaviour which leads to a full out. I don’t want to be that mate who nags, I want him to know I’m open to listening and not here to judge him. I.I not enabling him, I will not talk in any flirtatious manner whilst he is using, one of the big steps in recovery for those in a non committed relationship is to abstain from sexual activity that would trigger a relapse. There’s a few women he talks to who are aware of his addiction but are clueless and think they’re helping him by engaging. There feeding into his issues.
Dan, please mate stay off it work the steps and know there’s always someone you can talk. You’ve done so well. Like I say to my mate, use me, talk to me tell me how you feel, if he gets an urge tell me what it feels like and perhaps a chat will stop him.