The support system to back you.
Having a family that loves you and supports you through this trying time can make all the difference, but what’s lost on most people is the support of the doctors and staff and the rehabilitation center. My husband chose an all male center as he assumed that being with other men – some with families, like ours – would help him to learn from people in the same situation. The same sex approach turned out to be a good one for him, as hearing what other men had gone through, and how some had lost their wives and families because of their behavior was a real eye-opener.
The commitment to post-treatment sobriety.
This one is often overlooked. You don’t go to rehab and come out a sober adult. Addiction is a lifelong struggle and without post-treatment therapy and on-going support, most will never remain sober after the program concludes. Find a good post-treatment group, or addiction specialist, and continue your lifelong fight to remain sober.
We’re now creeping up on the 18th month of my husband’s sobriety. I couldn’t be more proud of him, and I hope that any of you that have a similar story will look into effective treatment options that could not only save your marriage, but your spouse’s life. Remember, one day at a time.
Do you have any additional help for someone who has a family member or spouse caught in addiction?
12 comments
It breaks my heart that so many people struggle with emotional issues and succumb to addictions. We need more teaching of emotional release and transformation tools so people have somewhere to turn other than “pleasure” or “numbing out.”
Yes, it is a sad situation. Thank you for visiting.
Such a touching story, thank you so much for sharing. I’m so glad to hear that you and your husband are doing better and I congratulate you both on one year of sobriety. Here’s to wishing you many more happy years together in the future
Preston thank you for visiting. I am thankful that I personally haven’t had to go through this situation. I shared someone’s anonymous story to help and inspire others. 🙂
Willingness to get help is an important component. There is shame and other issues usually happening.
I agree Amanda, thank you for sharing.
My dad’s an alcoholic and my childhood was hellish because of it. I remember well the nights he didn’t come home until very late, fight with my mom. The next day would always suck. It really is a tragic disease
Ah Sharon I am sorry that you had to deal with this growing up.
I’ve been around several people (some really important to me) who have had drinking problems and it’s definitely difficult for everyone. Sometimes even support is not enough, especially during the time but later it does help. The will and the power to do it is definitely the ultimate goal to get at.
My cousin had a drug addiction, that I think was fueled by my uncles alcoholic promblem. He struggled with it for year and no matter what help we offered it didn’t matter, because he didn’t want to change. In 2012 he did end up taking his own life. I’m not sure what advice I would offer, in my cousin case it was the only kind of life he knew. So maybe try to show them better, try and show them just how beautiful life can be without their addiction.
I am happy this story had a happy ending and that the family can now heal ♥
Addiction treatment is something that so many people could use, but few are brave enough to take the opportunity. I hope this husband finally realizes the damage he is doing.
I went out with an alcoholic-it was heartbreaking. I truly loved him but knew better then to get too involved. I tried to help him but the “friends” he hung with used to keep giving him more and more to drink. We ultimately broke up–then maybe 5 years later-he died from a bad liver. I distinctly remember his brother saying to me–“if he had stayed with you he might still be alive” I don’t know about that-but he certainly would have lived a longer life.