I’m Sick, You’re Sick: Addiction as a Family Disease

Anti-alcoholism comic book ad (Photo credit: solviturambulando)

I have learned something new that has changed my life: alcoholism is an addiction.

Alcoholism is a disease.

I cannot fix it. I cannot cure it. I cannot make my alcoholic better. No amount of whining, cajoling, pleading, helping or other actions  can make my husband attend more AA meetings, meet with his sponsor, or work the 12 Steps.

I am the only one I can control. I have a sickness too: it’s called codependency. Being codependent means I want to fix my husband, and that I have obsessive thoughts about it. It’s unhealthy, this sickness.

But there is a cure! That’s great news, because I have been suffering. I can detach, work on myself, and forgive. I can be compassionate and kind.

Working on this now. Practiced this today. I feel like a new person.