Having reread, both my original response and the following ones, I'm feeling rather ashamed of myself. The fact is, now that I've calmed down, I do want to say that I do, personally, know a number of alcoholics. Not just the terrible man I married, and his father, but my best friend of 40 years, her brother and the father of another friend's child. Of those, only my ex was a loser who wouldn't work. So I do apologise for the characterization - talking about an alcoholic spouse just hit a bit too close to home I'm afraid. But, I've had to watch my friend's mother deal with all the destruction of her children's lives, DWI's, nights in jail, losing the people who loved them, but couldn't stand to be with them. I've seen such terrible personality changes they don't even seem like the same person drinking vs. sober. I've bailed my friend out of jail and lived with her when she was at her most self-destructive. I thank God both she and her brother are now sober and pray she and he stay that way. And even my other friend's ex - I know him to be a hard-working decent guy for the most part, but remembering her daughter talking about how she didn't have dinner on his weekends because "Dad fell asleep on the couch and wouldn't wake up", still tears me up. My experiences make me very opinionated on the subject and I do apologise if anyone thought I was belittling other forms of addiction. They are all destructive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaplods
When you've put 99% of your life on hold, it's hard to give up your few pleasures (eating, for example), because then you've got "nothing" left. It's hard to live on nothing, and no one should have to.
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Very true. No one should put their lives on hold! Live for every moment and do your best to enjoy them. Hopefully while getting healthier and happier!