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Ask the Divorced Guy!
by Dean Hughson
Title: Married to An Alcoholic
Question:
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I suddenly realized that my wife's drinking is out of control. We
used to enjoy wine with meals and an occasional cocktail. Recently she has
been drinking to the point that she gets mean and doesn't seem to care what
happens to the house. Our kids are afraid to bring home people because they
never know what kind of mood she is going to be in. I am afraid that it may
take a divorce to straighten her out. I have tried a lot of things;
threats, pleading, prayer. What do you suggest?
Answer:
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Alcoholism is something that takes a whole family approach. I urge you to
find your local Ala-Non meeting (http://www.al-anon-alateen.org) and go;. This is a self-help
approach for family members of alcoholics. They usually have Ala-teen
meetings also, which will help your kids. While you are there some folks
will let you know about treatment programs in your area. You can set up an
intervention and get your wife into treatment. Realize that alcoholism is
a disease that can be treated and with family involvement the recovery
rates are very high. Alcoholism affects many people in the world and
it has been my fortune to know many families that have experienced recovery
after going through treatment and AA/Ala-non help. They often become
strong, loving families and it indeed a miracle we see. I urge you to
consider this path and do it now.
Dean Hughson, called the Dear Abby of Divorced Dads by the KC Star, is the founder of the DIVORCE HOMEPAGE. He has talked to thousands of people contemplating divorce, going through divorce, or the chaos afterwards and gives referrals and advice. He resides in Nevada, the state with the highest divorce rate in the US.
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