When you are in a relationship with an alcoholic, can i ask one or two questions please?

[sunburntats]

Its not me, its a very good pal.

His wife is an alcoholic although he has not actually used the words "alcoholic" yet.

Think in terms of alcoholism, it is pretty early days.

He is at a loss, almost bereft.
I have pointed him in the direction of alanon, but just wondered if any one knew of any other help that is out there for the families/spouses of alcoholics?

Think he needs sympathy, empathy, understanding and some one to hold his hand and guide him through thisawfulness.
Any suggestions?

Alanon is the best thing, honestly. My DP wasn't a full blown alcoholic and they don't have to be. Basically if someones drinking is causing problems for you then Alanon can and will help. You meet others in the same situation and it totally changed my life for the better. I haven't been for 9 years but what I learnt there still helps me now.

Thanks,
Are there any websites that are helpful?

Out of interest, can I ask what the "early days" of alcoholism means?

I actually found alanon very unhelpful, but I know I am in the minority and think it was just a bad meeting.

My meeting was full of bitter women complaining about their ex husbands, whereas I wanted some practical help and dos and don'ts.

Plus they seemed to suggest that there was no way my marriage could last (as none of theirs had) and I was being silly and naieve if I thought it would.

I didn't go back and my marriage is going stronger than ever.

But there are good and bad meetings anyway, and to be honest, I"m not really one for talking about feelings with strangers so it was never going to be great for me.

I think that in AA and Al-Anon, any meeting that doesn't put its newcomers first is one to avoid (most of them are so nice to newcomers that the latter get a bit scared at first - I think that's where the idea of a "cult" comes from! Don't worry, once you've been around for a while you get to make your own fcuking tea ...)

Hi all,

Like some of you I am a mum with an alcoholic partner. After numerous attempts at AA and rehab I was starting to give up hope of my partner ever stopping drinking until we discovered a drug called neltrexone. It is an opiod suppressor used with heroin addicts and alcoholics. It has changed our lives and has given me a loving partner and our son a father. Here is the Times article with some more information.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5484285.ece

In the UK the NHS will only prescribe it to heroin addicts however you can speak to a private psychiatrist who is a specialist in drugs and alcohol who can prescribe it (We paid £300 for the initial consultation) or you can contact the Stapleford Centre www.staplefordcentre.com/ if you live near London.

My partner is following 'The Sinclair Method'

www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=11132

Neltrexone really does sound like it is too good to be true but in our experience it has been!

(I have posted this message on anumber of threads as I would like to reach as many people as possible!)

Good luck Lx