By Charlotte Hilton Andersen | Shape Magazine

Lamar Odom, the estranged soon-to-be-ex-husband of Khloé Kardashian, is in the midst of a  very public and very painful relapse into addiction. In the past, he’s struggled with addictions to drugs and alcohol, famously ending up in the hospital in a coma. But now, despite a brief stint of sobriety, it appears he’s fallen off the wagon again.

And while this must certainly be difficult for him, it’s also incredibly painful for Khloé, as anyone who has ever loved an addict will understand. The reality TV star broke her silence on Twitter, sharing her broken heart and feelings of helplessness. She made it clear that she’s finally reached the point where she has to let go and stop trying to save him.

It’s a terrible realization but an important one for any person who has a loved one with substance abuse issues, says John Templeton, president of Footprints Beachside Recovery Center. “Addiction is a family disease, and even though other family members may not be addicts themselves, they are directly affected by the disease,” he says. “The emotional, mental, and sometimes physical toll that living with, or caring for someone who is actively addicted is overwhelming.”

Sadly, Lamar’s tragic situation isn’t unusual. “Often times, relapse is part of recovery, and it doesn’t mean that the person will never get clean,” Templeton says. “It’s important to not give up.”

Original Source: http://www.shape.com