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Addiction to Alcohol/my husband drinks too much

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Expert: - 5/26/2011


Question
Hello Beverley, Thank you for your response to my question.  This is an update. My husband is now in trthe beginning of treatment.  Things are even worse than before.  No matter how supportive I try to be, he says " you don't know what its like". I dont know what to say to him. He thinks everyone he has ever drank with needs to go to treatment also. I find it difficult to worry about anyone but him right now and I wish he would concentrate on himself. His personality has changed. He is so angry at me and I don't know why. Is this normal?
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Answer
Beverley Glazer MA. ICADC
Beverley Glazer MA. IC
Hi Mary,

I'm glad that your husband is in treatment, but you should know that this is a process. Right now he's questioning and evaluating many issues in his past and he's not a 'happy camper' right now.

It's probably true that 'everyone he drank with needs treatment'. Alcoholics have alcoholic friends.  He's probably realizing that to stay sober, he has to change his friends. However, once he goes regularly to AA, he'll connect and make friends with many sober people. As he changes his life, he'll also learn to socialize without having to drink.

Anger is very common when someone is in the beginning of treatment. He has no alcohol to take the edge off and he is living with other stressed people -- not easy.   He'd prefer to leave and go back to his 'normal' life but as he stays longer, he should adjusted to the treatment program.

If there are family sessions in the treatment center, discuss his behavior with the counselors. It would also help you to go to Al-Anon and discuss his behavior with the other members as well.

Don't worry about him right now. This is a time where you should try to relax and get your life back in control. He's in a safe place, so allow yourself to  relax for awhile.

Regards

Bev
http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Beverley Glazer

Expertise

I can answer questions on all addictive behaviors: alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive sex, codependency, gambling, compulsive shoplifting etc.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience working in the addiction field. My experience extends to all levels of substance abuse. I've worked in rehabs and detox centers, prisons and half-way houses and have a busy private practice as well as an active website where I can be reached for recovery coaching and consultation. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but 12-step programs are an excellent support. When working in the addiction field, there is no cookie-cutter solution. In the recovery field, you witness miracles. That's why I love what I do.

Organizations
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, CACCF Canadian Addiction Counselors Federation, CCA Canadian Counseling Association, For more information please see: http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Education/Credentials
BA Psychology, MA Counseling Psychology, ICADC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ICAC International Clinical Addiction Counselor, CGC Certified Gambling Counselor.

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