The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hi, the post below reminded me of my husband. He would drink Listerine for the alcohol, he would use mouthwash in his truck, breath mints abounded in his truck, pockets. Anything to cover up his drinking (even though I knew). I would get sick at the thought of his drinking Listerine and then taking vicodin pills so he could sleep at night. But lo and behold, he's still alive.......and nine months sober! So...there is always hope. I just had to take myself to meetings and take care of me. WATCHING HIM self-destruct was worse on me than what actually happened to him (nothing). I truly believe it is harder on us than them sometimes.
(p. 39 Big Book AA, jay walking scenario) [I believe I have the right page]
But I do know because of the "hiding" he was doing with all the mints, washes, etc., he was deeply ashamed of himself. Alcoholism is a shame-based disease. That's why I learned nagging, scolding, yelling, etc. was no good or going to get us anywhere.
Thank you for saying this-I needed a reminder of their shame when I am faced with his using. It hurts a lot to watch him going insane and trying to detach with love so I don't go down too. He always seems to pull through where I see disaster coming???!!! He seems fine, like "no worries!" and I'm the one sitting at home hoping for nothing to happen. But sometimes I see a glimpse of his hopelessness and shame and it's sad. I don't have the answers....
Hi, this is EXACTLY what I am dealing with now..... I posted a few days ago, alcoholic substitutes is the name of the post.....I just new I was imagining all the mouthwash that I was seeing disappear, then is dawned on me, Listerine is basically alcohol, and it knocked me for a loop at first, then I found empty nyquill tablet packages or nyquill cold medicine bottles, it made me want to say Do you think I am that naive or stupid to not see what you are doing, but I stop myself and remember the 3 C's I have learned about on here and with a constant reminder to myself I am learning to let it go and work on me......take care
