by yosemite610 » Wed Sep 09, 2009 4:10 pm
The most successful approach has always been one alcoholic talking to another, the least successful is probably a spouse or authority figure. If you feel you need to get out of a destructive situation, by all means, do it. Al-Anon can be a life-saver, there's a lot of experience with this in Al-Anon rooms.
If it sounds like there's just no tangible tool, or help in these responses, in a way you're right. An alcoholic's denial is the 'insanity' part of this disease, and it's impossible to control or manage. If you haven't yet, pick up a copy of the Big Book as we call it (Alcoholics Anonymous) and check out the chapter called The Doctor's Opinion. It may bring more understanding...
In closing, 98% of all alcoholics and drug addicts have families, and a lot of those find peace and sanity in the rooms of Al-Anon. If you go to one, I promise you won't feel alone there.