Having a career in the addictions field and also being in recovery myself, I get a lot of people that come to me for advice. Sometimes it is for referrals to different rehabs, where a good meeting is to go to, phone numbers of people who have a strong program, or what to do when a loved one is suffering. Sometimes it is just for an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to who will not judge and has been through it themselves. At times, I find myself getting very overwhelmed and almost frustrated with certain situations. When the same people ask the same questions and are given the same answers every time, and they go and do the complete opposite every time. I have learned that it is okay to take a step back and let people figure this stuff out on their own. Allow them to feel the pain enough and have to put in the work on their own for them to understand what it takes to get clean/sober. I can only say so much and give the same advice so many times, I cannot do the work for them, I cannot get clean/sober for them, I cannot run their recovery. I can continue to work my own recovery and lead by example, showing them how it is done by my own actions. I know when it is time to step back, and hope the miracle happens for them, just like it did for me.