I grew up in an alcoholic home.  As far back as I can remember my dad drank and came home drunk.  He was in the navy and to make extra money he worked at the Chiefs Club as a bartender.  I remember always looking out the window waiting for him to come home and asking my mom to not yell at my dad.  Of course she did and now I under why.  After the 3 kids left my mom took up drinking also.  I guess it was easier for her to join in than to get help or rock the boat.

My husband started drinking about 10 years ago.  We have been together for almost 37 years.  It took me a while to really see the whole picture because I was still working full time and was busy.  He had his first DUI 9 years ago and 13 months later another one.  I truly woke up at that time.  On the second DUI he lost his license for over a year, 240 hours of community services, on parole and had to go to a weekly drug class along with a class with Mothers against Drunk Driving.  I went to the MADD class and it will forever have an impact on me.  With my husbands two DUIs he was lucky he did not hurt or kill anybody. 

I started Al-Anon about 9 years ago.  I put off going for a while probably because of fear.  I cried the first 6 months I went.  I felt such a relief going and being a part of the Al-Anon family.  I would say that they helped me more than anything and because of them, I am still here.

We moved to the Southern part of our state last May.  I guess I thought how silly of me that moving to a sunnier, warmer, nicer part of the state things would change.  He has slowed way, way down, but still drinking and lying about it.  I found a nice group of people for face to face meetings here and I also continue with my reading and MIP meetings and message boards.  I do need to find a sponsor and kick my recovery up a big notch.

Last week my husband was gone for 4 days to visit his two brothers and I was alone.  I love my alone time. I always have.  I feel like I can recharge my batteries.  I finally figured out that I have wasted a lot of time worrying, thinking negative thoughts, getting sick, obsessing, etc., over him.  Has it accomplished anything?  No.  It is what it is.  Jerry F. said to me once if my husband wants to drink he will and what are you going to do about it?  I cannot do anything.  I do have two boundaries 1.  If he gets into a vehicle while drinking I will call the police and 2. If he gets in my face either verbally or physically I will call the police.  I have told him this along with his sister. 

So to end this, I am proud of myself for not saying anything to him about drinking lately.  It does not do any good and he is going to do what he wants.  Hopefully when I get stronger he will notice it and want what I have.  If not it will be his loss.  I am determined to not obsess, not isolate and become a better me.  I know she is in there somewhere and dying to come out.

Thanks for listening.  Jenny