[Lucy Van Pelt]

Sweetpea-

AAthete's response was great in my opinion. I know that having this damn problem is not our fault, and yes, it is so hard to have those we love disappointed in us when we drink, but the bottom line is this: Although it is not our "fault" that we have this addiction, it is up to us to NOT DRINK. Ultimately, no one but ourselves is putting the alcohol in our bodies, and we have to get to a place where we make a decision that drinking is not worth it. Take into account that this advice I am giving you is coming from someone who is not there yet, but I still think it is sound advice. I think, for many of us, we have to be pushed to a corner to make the decision to stop, because this disease really, really, makes us want to drink so badly. For some, the decision comes earlier than for others. Maybe the risk of losing your family will be the thing that pushes you over the fence to really be ready to fight this thing. I hope so for your sake. You certainly can't control what your family decides to do, but you CAN control your own behavior, which will influence their decisions, and ultimately make your life much, much happier. Imagine life with your loving family, and more importantly, life where you will feel like a meaningful, shameless, person once again!!

(Now I wish I could take my own advice). I wish you the best. All I can say is that I look at those here, like AAthlete, Darling, Cheif, Kate1, and others, who are succeeding long-term, and I see really happy people, who are proud of who they are, and offer so much to the rest of us...That is very inspiring to me.

Well,

With lots of love,

Beth