The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hi everyone... I finally attended my first meeting over the weekend.. It was fantastic! It was an all women's group, and about 30 females attended. I told my story, and I listened to several other stories. I can't believe how many people are experiencing the same issues that I am.
It's amazing how much hurt and pain we endure when we stand and try to help a love one who is addicted... They touched on a serious subject as well... Mental Illness and how the government and corporate america keep ignoring it, when that is the underlying issue to so many ailments...
I will be attending the next meeting... it was so empowering... on another note, when I left my meeting, I got home and my husband was standing there begging me to come home. I let him know that I attended Al-Anon, and that I am focusing on me from now on, and I showed him a paper labeled "Detachment"... I told him, I am detaching myself from him and his problems... He must address his problems on his own, and I am no longer his caretaker... I also told him I will be going to these meeting religiously... He cried and begged to come back in, and I threatened to go to the police if he didn't leave... I stood my ground.
He also showed up at my doorstep this morning around 7 am, and I gave him some clothes, but I refuse to let him back in...he has to know that I am not playing around anymore. This weekend was so peaceful.. I spent a lot of time cleaning out my bedroom, and spending time with my daughter. I cleaned my house out really good...I'm so happy I went to the meeting.
I encourage everyone who hasn't gone to a face to face meeting...PLEASE GO! It will uplift you and empower you... you're not alone, there are many people dealing with the same problems... Going to this meeting really cleansed me of my husband's problems...Thank you all so much for encouraging me!
(((jaysbaby))) I can not tell you how much I enjoyed reading your post. Words can not say how proud and happy I am for you. I have followed all your post, and responded to several of them. Nothing could make me happier than the fact that you have found the program, and now you are working and using the program. How amazing the change I see in you. You have come full circle since your first post, and have proved once again what a great program Al-Anon is if you use it, and work it in your life. (((HUGS))) and thanks again for posting. RLC
THANK YOU... it's really hard. it breaks my heart that i have to turn my back on my husband, but i have to do something to break this cycle of dysfunction. i am truly hurting being away from him. i love him so much, and i know he loves me... but in the end i want to do what's best... if he doesn't have the power to break the cycle, then i must... and i have. i will continue to go to my meetings...sigh
that is why we give encouragement/urge people to go to face to face meetings. they can be a miracle. they can show you things that a book and/or a website cannot.
beaming at (jaysbaby)
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time to stop going to the hardware store to buy bread.
Congratulations on your first meeting!! You sound like you are doing well.
Detachment, although hard to put into practice, can be a lifesaver in keeping your sanity. Once you have made the resolve, it becomes easier each time you make a decision and follow through with it.
Take Care of Yourself.
Love,
Claudia
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A person's a person no matter how small --Dr Suess
It's no accident the acronym for Gift of Desperation - G.O.D. Until all of us, the A's and those affected by A's (often called nutjobs) receive the gift of desperation will there be any changes on the horizon. That's is why we say it takes courage to change. Our lives have to be very, very painful in order for most of us to reach out for help.
So glad you went to your meeting. I find mine so uplifting as you said.
Keep coming, miracles are happening every day, Maria
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
