Such a tough relationship to be in. There’s no clear line separating caring for someone and enabling them. Alcoholism and addiction are diseases not character defects. Sharing your story helps us to remember that. Thank you Sarah Clark

Alcholism and addiction not only make the person suffering with these diseases sick, they make those around them sick as well. Your story touches on the pain, bewilderment and puzzling behavior those of us who love an addict find ourselves in. It’s hard to express to those not in this kind of a relationship. It’s hard to explain to ourselves why we stay. Your story will help all those living through with similar stories and hopefully they won’t add blame and self-hatred to an already impossible situation.

If your husband had heart disease, no one, including yourself would question why you were taking care of him. Al-anon and NAMI are great support groups that help us learn to take care of ourselves as well as our loved ones. A big hug to you.