For the SpousesIf your spouse or companion is an alcoholic and/or drug addict, the options may seem limited as to what you can do. Your significant other has numerous options for their alcoholism or drug addiction if and when they choose to seek help. But what about you, the person who lives day after day with an alcoholic or drug addict? What are your options for your personal welfare? There is a very good chance that without you in their life they would be living on the streets, or worse, maybe even dead. You have extended your heart and your pocketbook time after time. You have been the emotional and financial support for the both of you, maybe for the entire family, for a while now. Maybe you are ready for them to get better and wish they would just stop drinking or using. Maybe you feel taken advantage of and are resentful. Maybe their drinking or using has damaged the relationship beyond repair but you still stick around, hoping against hope, that they will come to their senses and get help or stop altogether. Maybe you have threatened to leave and did, only to find yourself back in the same situation a few days, weeks or months later. You've tried everything but feel helpless, hopeless and unsure of what to do next. So what are your choices? First and foremost, if you, your children or anyone living with you has been or is being physically or sexually abused, immediately remove yourself and those around you from where the abuse is taking place and contact the authorities. There are safe houses for battered women and men, the Y.W.C.A., Y.M.C.A, or family members and friends that may take you in either temporarily or permanently. It's not worth your life, your children's life or anyone else's life to stay in a high-risk, extremely dangerous environment hoping the alcoholic or drug addict will get better. In nearly every dysfunctional relationship, such as living with an alcoholic or drug addict, there is emotional and verbal abuse. This doesn't necessarily mean you should pack and leave but it doesn't mean you should stay either. Each situation should be carefully reviewed by those involved and hopefully with the help of a therapist and support group. By using those resources, an appropriate conclusion will be made that will benefit most everyone. One option to consider is attending of Al-Anon meetings. There you will find other men and women similar to you who have lived with or do live with an active alcoholic or drug addict. You will find support, understanding, a sense of belonging and insight in how to deal with your situation. For your children, there is Ala-Teen. Ala-Teen is similar to Al-Anon, but for the teenager. It is run and maintained by teenagers and there they find support among peers who have been affected by the alcoholism of a friend or family member. Alcoholism and drug addiction is a family disease. What that means is after years of living with an alcoholic or drug addict, the members of the family are deeply affected by the behaviors of their addicted loved one. They become, in a sense, sick too. It is a terrible, destructive disease that affects everything and everyone. All joking aside, the family pet may even be affected. For those of you suffering through everyday of having to live with an alcoholic, there is hope for you. A quick look in the local phone book will bring quick results. You can live a happier, more fulfilling life with or without the alcoholic or drug addict in your life. You do have a choice. By: Patrick McLemore Toll Free 800 396-5534 The Road To Recovery Starts Here with Proper Alcohol Rehab Our Support Staff is Available 24/7
The Manor House Drug Rehab Services Educational Program |
