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Frustrated 7 month sober AH wants to communicate but seems only if he approves of topic. I can't voice something without him reading into it the opposite way. I was hoping the days of eggshells would have passed but here we are again. I want my words to mean something and to be heard for a change instead of shut out. If his sponsor his childhood friend or kids talks he listens. Why cant or won't he let me be heard to. it makes me shut down more. How much more of an effort can I make. I feel like we're back pedalling.
Have you started your recovery? Al-anon is the best place to go for you and your recovery. A sponsor and doing the steps will help you just like they are helping your husband stay sober.
You will get a lot of ESH here so keep coming back because you are not alone
Let go let God
(((( hugs )))
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Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
One of the reasons why he doesn't is because he's afraid...terrorized in fact...If and when he comes to understand that and gets into practicing the opposite of it recovery will start to bloom. But it isn't all about him. Cathyinaz asked the real question..."have you started...?" Keep coming back this works when we work it. (((((hugs))))
I do hope you are able to attend face to face al-anon meetings in your area and continue to grow your toolbox which will better assist you in dealing with not only your AH but everyone around you. Keep coming back. Sending you love and support!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
For my husband, he was still trying the control the pain, shame and guilt when I would speak. And I had to learn to speak directly and simply...I learned to do this through meetings and conversations with my sponsor. Do your recovery work and magic happens in all areas of your life...you will learn that a rich life exists outside the attachments to this disease and your hubbie. Your marriage will be empty unless both of you do the recovery work. Sobriety is not the key here, recovery is..and that takes alot of work, but it is worth it!
"I want my words to mean something and to be heard for a change instead of shut out."
I am going through this exact same thing with my daughter right now (22 y.o.). I'm bouncing between letting her have it (i.e. yelling, or lecturing), and wanting to detach completely (not necessarily with love). Neither of these options will help me or her.
Just now I was about to respond to her text, and I was so upset, I was probably going to say something I'd regret later. Well my phone decided to reboot right at that moment. I am going to assume this is my HP saying "Whoa Nellie!". So this is my roundabout way of saying I am at the point of turning it all over to my HP because I don't have the answers on how to handle this yet.
In my experience, when I keep trying and don't get what I want, my expectations are out of line with the reality. In fact that's kind of a specialty of mine. It sounds as if he just doesn't have the skills and/or the willingness. He should. But he doesn't. As for how long you can wait, that's another question. (Not one you asked out loud, but it was always on my mind.) Is there a willingness to try, or any openness to it? Is there a change over time? If not, then you probably know what the future with him will be like too. Your own recovery can change everything that's important. Hugs.
this is the same with my AH and me as well. Its so hard to even respond to anything, "him reading into it the opposite way" is exactly what happens as well. I feel your frustration, and its so hard to even open for a response as you don't know how its going to be taken. My frequent response back from him constantly is "don't be so defensive" or "your being a btch" or "you would" and its just so ridiculous sometimes i just can't even understand it.
Extra frustrating when your ah will listen and be positive to other people as well, that is the same with mine too. Its so frustrating and so sad.