Seems a lot and then you say 2 months and it seems not so much. For DB it's been an enlightening journey, lots of energy while in rehab, back home for a week and none whatsoever. He is in for a wellness meditation / yoga etc this weekend which I hope will soothe him and he found the men's group he attended Tuesday night good value with an agreed focus on communication. Still early days, returns to work on the 24th, it will be the tester. We are both hanging in there and trying hard with our separate but entwined joirney.

63 days on a difficult journey like this can seem endless, it is a remarkable achievement and, counting it as 2 months, another milestone worth noting.

I wish you both the strength and courage you need to forge ahead.

Dave.

Faced his first days back, was very nervous, I reminded him they all missed him for the 8 weeks he was gone and they clubbed in to buy him a brilliant gift and signed a card. The challenge he faces is he works with a group of people who moan constantly how bad the employer is. That atmosphere brings everyone down and its constant. Don't get me wrong, there are many who enjoy working there and provide moral support but overall negativity seems to be rife. I've said to DB if he has to leave, then that's ok, leave. We will get by.

Pam,
These are some rather monumental steps that you are both taking. Pats on the back to both of you for what you have both conquered and new challenges you both face every day. He is back to work after rehab and you both endured that. You had gone back to work with many difficult factors to overcome but you did it AND you dealt with his rehab...WOW.....and now, you are going to pain clinic.
Please take a minute to breathe deeply and savor your efforts and your accomplishments. I know there are still tough roads ahead but, you two have both proven you are up to the task. You inspire me Pam. God Bless you both as you endeavor to make your lives everything you want them to be.
D.
.

I am so grateful to my beloved. When we married, I took my vows seriously, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer etc. DB the same, here we are all these years later, many ups, many downs, but together nevertheless. Pooh to Alenon and those that say you can't help an alcoholic, help yourself and just leave. I get that, I so get they have to help themselves, but to just leave without trying to stay? What if he had left me in my shitty health debacles.

Even now I have some still say you should leave, and in the carers group, there are many who are in the process of leaving, surprisingly while their partner is now in recovery mode. I get love can die, but it can be rekindled. Marriage is a partnership of love and life, I'm not helpless in my love for DB, I'm grateful to my love for him, it helps make me a better person, to see and hear the emotional pain and trauma he went through and ultimately what drove him to "self medicate" is so understandable.

I'm rambling, I'm sorry, this journey is enlightening to us both and I'm in awe of his strength. Many in his group relapsed in the early days, Those in My group are warned and told be prepared for it, we are told there can be no denial, relapse is to be expected but, they say it doesn't have to be permanent. So long as they can commit to the long term program there is hope.

I'm hopeful and I'm in it for the long term, in sickness and in health.

Lots of anxiety this week, DB very depressed and zero energy, it's all he can do to drag himself out of bed to go to work. It's the festive season, everyone is partying and drinking, we are not. We passed by a summer street party last Sunday, he has struggled since, sadly his weekly psych appt yesterday got xld at short notice only he didn't get the notice & he turned up for his 6.45am appt to find all locked up. He says his inner strength is wavering, drink is on his mind every day.

This is the hardest part of maintaining sobriety. Keep the mind preoccupied with games, books, movies, volunteering, cooking, walking, exercise and any other activity that can temporarily overcome those thoughts. When the end of the day comes and sleep ensues then the battle is done for the day.