JC: Thanks David for submitting your story. I wanted to let you know that alcoholics have a tendency to say they want to get sober yet may never seek professional treatment. One of the outstanding characteristics of a problem drinker is they say things that they think we want to hear.
Guest Post
I am married, secretly, to a woman 22 years my junior. Now before you go off on a tangent yes she is gorgeous but arm candy has nothing to do with our relationship.
I have been best friends with her Dad for about 45 years. I have always gotten along with his daughter and we have a history of good times together with much in common. Last fall she gave me examples of the things she did as an effort to show me that she has been in love with me for years. I decided that while the attraction had been there for quite some time I had been pushing aside those feelings thinking that my thoughts were just that of a lonely old man who had no right to even think he had a chance with such a beautiful intelligent young lady.
A long story short. Her son and I got ino an altercation about a year ago so we are a little tense around each other. Her mother hates me due to this altercation with her grandson. She and I decided to marry secretly until such time as the boy is on his own – approximately two more years.
We do not live together although she does spend quite a bit of time to include several nights with me at “our” home. Additionally I am usually at her place with her family (two boys and her father) every Sunday afternoon/evening.
Since her drinking has gotten way out of hand she seems to confide in an ex husband’s brother for almost every decision she makes only occasionally consulting me. We do very few things together for fun anymore (she is usually to intoxicated or getting over being drunk) and intimacy is almost gone.
Lately she does not answer my text messages and unless I try to find out I have no idea where she is or what she is doing for days at a time. Yet there are times when she is both sober and intoxicated when she is EXTREMELY good to me.
She says she wants professional treatment and has undergone Detox two times. Yet, she has a bad habit of not following through with support so begins drinking again.
I have only been in love two times in my life, I am 60, she is my second opportunity at real love – even though I have been married numerous times.
I don’t know what to do or how to handle this as it is tearing me to pieces. Both the secrecy and the alcoholism is killing me.
David, in my experience it is vitally important to learn how to let go of an alcoholic. You have shared a few things that indicate you may have an obsession over someone you have no control over. She is on a self destructive path and if you do not let go of the alcoholic you will find yourself fading away into the depths of a deep and dark hole called alcoholism. I think it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with her options for professional treatment in the event she decides to get sober. We have free lessons on how to cope with alcoholics that can greatly help you deal with this situation.
My feeling is of great sadness for you. It seems to be hopeless and eventually dangerous to be with this woman even though you are married. She is not paying much attention to you – just when she feels like it. Your suffering will increase, and your health will deteriorate soon.
Find a therapist so you can discuss this with a professional. The woman is going to need healthcare or she will be dead in a few years. Alcohol kills.
nothing gets better with an alcoholic unless they get help, i am sorry you are going through this, if you are not happy, you are not happy. accept it and dont try to force something that is not right. much luck to you, i hope that you can find peace.
I am here for support too (as I have a friend who is an alcoholic). I have not spoken to her for 3-4 months now because she lied & conned me & although it’s hard I cannot speak to her at the moment until she apologies & makes some sort of amends.
This was my best friend, however I do question if it was all just fake and I was used?!?!
It’s tough because I hope she will get help & my friend will come back!
She has been detoxes at hospital about 6 times, but comes out then slowly starts drinking again until she is back where she started!
I tried to help but understand now that I can’t!
I miss her terribly but it took over my life & I just need to work hard to get it back now!
Kerry, thanks for sharing. One of our most popular articles is called: Detaching From An Alcoholic. I think you will get a few tips from reading it.
It sounds like your friend has had plenty of professional treatment. In AA they say that some people are unconstitutionally capable of grasping a manner of living that demands rigorous honesty. Hopefully your friend will eventually overcome her struggles with alcoholism. In the mean time you have the right idea, take care of yourself.
This is a good video: Understanding An Alcoholic. If I were you, I’d learn as much as I could about How To Cope With An Alcoholic.