Hi Susan,

Nice to see your post!! :)  My husband and I are married 27 years too. We've both stopped drinking together 23 yrs. ago.  It was foolhardy for me NOT to go through meetings, as I got the Big Book and did it on my own. Well, not true...I had the help of some very important people in my life. Our daughter who was 3 at the time was my motivation. I know that if I didn't stop when I did, I wouldn't be here today. My husband didn't admit until very recently that his problem with alcohol was as bad as it was. We're both glad we're sober, and are far more aware of addiction transfer, too. I'm worried about our daughter too. She's very aware of addictive behaviors in herself and others, due to watching us and living in a home where the disease was rampant. I firmly believe that children learn what they live. She's an adult now, and is responsible for her own actions, but we've cautioned her on the hereditary implications that are on both sides of her family, and my "PARENTNOIA" that goes along with worrying about your children.  You know how it is...all you can do when they leave the house is pray they remember the rights and wrongs of what you teach them, encourage them to talk to a professional if they need to, and do a LOT of praying! I used to tell Christine that I wasn't worried about HER, it was the REST of the world I didn't have warm n fuzzies for! :)  Take care, and good luck! 

Congratulations on your sobriety!!  One day they'll understand just how strong you really are! You've kicked a habit that could've killed you! You're a survivor...that's one of the best things to teach them!! :)

Marie

Way to go!!!
Congratulations!!

Hi Katriina,
I don't think what you're describing is uncommon.  In fact, when we were in our "psychological orientation"  we were told ahead of time that at our evaluation we may be either 1) cleared for surgery 2) cleared with recommended therapy or 3) postponed pending therapy and further evaluation.  They told us that about 50% are cleared with no problem, 45% are cleared with recommended therapy and only 5% are postponed.  I was personally cleared with recommended therapy.  I already had an established relationship with a psychologist so I just continue seeing her until the 8 week recommendation is complete and then the hospital's psychologist will release me for surgery. 
The hospital's psychologist recommends patients for therapy to help us deal with emotional eating, untreated psychological issues, stress management, etc.  My problem is emotional eating and stress management.  When she reviewed my paperwork she said "Wow, you've got alot going on! How are you going to manage taking your vitamins, exercising, eating right?"

Hope that helps.
Lea

I've been lurking here for many years, literally.  I finally checked myself into rehab on 4/10/08 and have been sober since then.  While the journey to sobriety has been one of the most painful, yet interesting journeys I've ever taken there have been some strange twists and turns along the way.

I wanted to ask how getting sober/clean has affected your relationship with your SO.  In my case, my marriage is all but over now.  It is almost as if my husband could better deal with me being drunk than with me being sober.  Drinking has been a part of our relationship from the beginning (27 yrs.) and while I am NO one to call anyone else an alcoholic, I do think that he also has issues with alcohol.  My kids are 23, 19 & 15 and I am the only one who went to AA, therapy, etc.  The family, as a whole, think that this is MY issue and that it is something that only I have to deal with.  I've read and learned enough to know that it is a FAMILY disease and that it deeply affected them all.  I just hope that the kids are smart enough to research it at some point in their lives.

Anyone with the same issues or maybe a different viewpoint?

PS:  I now can very clearly see why I drank...really, it was easier in some ways to just zone out and not deal with the crap that happens at times.  I also realize how genetically I was very prone to this and that is one of my biggest fears with my kids.  

Happy Hump Day..

Today I am grateful..

For people that check on me to make sure I am okay..

For emails that make me smile..

For my co-workers..

For fresh starts..

That I will be okay..