In this pit thread the wonderful people of the SDMB recomended that I attend an al-anon meeting. Tonight I did.
This is something I’ve been meaning to do for a while, almost since the beginning of my relationship with the man who is now my husband. I’d just never gotten there. I was originally detered by my husband himself and he was afraid that I’d start to try and change him. Tonight I told him where I was going as I walked out the door and that was it. I went.
Thanks Dopers for your encouragement. Tonight I met some wonderful people who didn’t judge me and didn’t try to tell me what to do. They just listened and shared their own stories and I was feeling almost comfortable by the end. I’m going to go next week too.
Congratulations, Leifsmama, that’s great. I was only lurking in your thread, so I hope you don’t mind my saying so - but I’m really glad things are looking up.
Good for you, Leifsmama. I just read your original thread and am familiar with some of the problems you’re going through. I hope Al-Anon is able to offer you some support and advice.
Good for you! Stick with it. It can be difficult at times (“Damn, I don NOT want to go to a meeting tonight and hear all these people gripe…I’m just not up for it.”), but once I got there (sometimes I shared, sometimes I just listened, sometimes I mentally rearranged my sock drawer) it always made me feel better. I even served as a district representative for several groups for awhile, sort of giving back to a program that gave so much to me. Again, way to go.
Good for you! Your husband obviously doesn’t realize this (yet), but Al-Anon isn’t for you to find out how to make him stop drinking, it’s for you to learn some tools to cope with his behavior and your own problems. I wish you the best of luck, and definitely keep going to meetings, no matter what!
I, too, was following the pit thread. Good for you for going. If you ever feel like skipping a meeting, post and I am sure some folks will be happy to kick your butt.
I, too, was lurking in your other thread, and my heart went out to you. I am so glad you listened to the good advice you had been given (something I am not as good at) and went to a meeting. I could be the best thing you have ever done for yourself.
This thread made my day. I’ve been following the other thread, and I’m so glad you decided to go.
Congrats!
It always amazes me how something so ethereal as a message board on the internet, populated by relative strangers, can have such a huge impact on a persons life. The people on this board rule.
Coincidentally, that’s exactly what today’s reminder is about
“I will stop wondering what to do about the alcoholic, and think about myself. What can I do to improve my life, to restore myself to full citizenship in the world?”
Yay, Leifsmama! I am so glad you are doing something for yourself. You deserve some peace of mind. Keep us updated, I don’t think I’m alone in my hope that you can resolve your difficult situation. The offer of e-mailing still stands and will stand.
I have been thinking about you quite a bit since those last two threads, and I was so glad to see this one. I hope there are many more encouraging threads like this to come.