julietsierra
Posts: 1841
Joined: 9/26/2004 Status: offline
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And I guess... recognize that some people do not see alcholism as a disease. (Do we choose cancer or is it thrust upon us?) They see it as a choice zoomed out of control and they do NOT understand why you've made this choice. I'd guess, from the other side of the glass, that they recognize that when you choose to drink, you are, in effect, choosing the alcohol over them and they've opted not to compete. I could assume a lot but just given the information you've provided here, I'd say he's choosing a life that feels sane, not chaotic and that he feels that that's best for the kids. I'd also bet that he believes he's given you ample opportunities to join a sane life; you've chosen differently and now he's choosing to walk away. I'd further bet that your decision to finally enter rehab was bought on a threat of him leaving and he thinks that if he stays, you'll just go back to your old habits. I'm guessing you've made promises before. I'd bet that while he was glad you went to rehab, it's a case of too little too late. I'd bet that what love you did share is not all gone but that he's decided that that love comes with too high a price tag and right now, his concern is not you. It's in how he can best care for the children the two of you have created and that you have damaged (although you don't talk about how the kids are faring, so I don't know that they're damaged but I'd bet they are) If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that in his mind, you took a lover and in the end, he couldn't compete with Johnny Walker or whatever your alcohol of choice was. And I'd further bet that it's not all a bed of roses on his side of the fence either but that quite simply, he's done. Why would I bet all this? Cause I've been where he is. One more thing that you didn't ask for but I feel needs to be mentioned. I know this is painful - real painful. However, while your marriage may be ending, it doesn't have to mean that your family ends. My ex-husband chose Johnny Walker over me and the kids. Deciding to leave was so very painful. It was a very painful process for him too. However, it meant that no one was there anymore protecting him from his own demons and he was forced to deal with them. He went through some terrible times. HOWEVER.. he DID come out on the other side. He no longer drinks. He worked hard - real hard to develop a relationship with his children and it has turned out reasonably well. He's now the father he wishes they'd had growing up, but he's there now and that's what counts. He has met and developed a relationship with a really really good woman. And what's the best is that he and I have a friendship that we work on together. He, his girlfriend and I view us all as family and while I don't have the marriage, I have back all the things I fell in love with him over - and he has the support of not only his girlfriend but his ex-wife in his hopes and dreams for his future. It's not what either of us dreamed of when we married, but in many ways, it's better than we ever hoped for. Like everyone else here, my suggestion is to work on you. Help your children heal. Approach your husband with kindness - even when you don't want to so that your future won't be filled with anger and guilt. Do what you need to do in order to be successful in your efforts to stay sober. With or without your husband, the choice to be sober truly IS the better life and while it hurts right now, you have so much more to gain without alcohol than you do with it. juliet
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