I knew I had to accept that I was addicted to alcohol, but I thought once I was sober everything would be normal with my family. I had no idea the effects my drinking had on my wife and kids.
When an individual determines to undergo addiction treatment and the family participates, true recovery can begin.
It was only during these special hours of family participation in my treatment that I really began to understand how my drinking affected each of my family members. My wife took on so much more responsibility financially and emotionally. She made excuses and apologized for my behavior over and over and covered for the birthdays and special events I missed. The stress in the house was high, my wife was miserable, and my kids slowly began to change. My eldest became withdrawn, scared to leave the house, and eventually her grades started to fall. My youngest reverted back to wetting the bed and throwing temper tantrums. I had no clue this was all due to my alcoholism – my behavior.
Within family therapy we began to each heal in our own time and in our own way.
It was important for my kids to understand it wasn’t their fault I drank, and that alcoholism was a disease I had. It took quite a while for them both to regain their trust in me as I had emotionally let them down so many times before. Slowly, we are getting our relationships back. As for my wife, her resentments are so great and so deep that we are now in marriage counseling. I honestly don’t know the fate of my marriage, but I know we are both getting stronger and learning how to communicate in a healthy way. Little by little I’m hopeful we will get back on track.
When it comes to alcohol addiction recovery and the family, effects run deeper than I ever could have imagined.
I’m so thankful for my sobriety, thankful for my family and hopeful that all our relationships will grow deeper and stronger. It’s one day at a time for all of us, and that’s something I can live with.
If you or someone you love needs help overcoming addiction, please contact us anytime at (337) 379.7700.
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Recovery changed my life.
Recovery changed my life.
