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Rating: 
Summary: Great Introduction to the Family Dynamics
Review: I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know how alcoholism affects a family as a whole. Even if there are no children in your relationship, don't skip the chapter regarding what happens to the kids. Many alcoholics or those who are attracted to them come from childhoods were alcoholism played a part. You'll be surprised by who you recognize in this chapter. The author stresses that the alcoholic does not have to be the husband. For the sake of simplicity, though, she wrote the information from that point of view. Keep an open mind if what she presents isn't exactly your situation. And by all means, go to Al-Anon. It's free. Al-Anon is for families and friends of trying to cope with the behavior and thinking of an alcoholic. AA is for alcoholics. Let AA help the alcohlic get sober, because you as a family member or friend cannot do that. Those who live with, work with, are related to, or are otherwise impacted by an alcoholic's behavior will benefit from Al-Anon. Learn how not to inadvertently feed into the alcoholic behavior. This book is a great place to start in that understanding. Another book that I recommend is "It Will Never Happen to Me" by Claudia Black.
Rating:
Summary: Just getting started
Review: I've only gotten through the very beginning of the book, simply because, ironically, I can't find enough 'me time' to read anymore of it. But from what I have read, I have found myself saying, 'oh I thought it was me' and 'I'm not crazy, this is what really happens'. I do think it's a truthful and helpful book.
I also wonder how I will survive with just half of a husband, and I feel so alone most of the time, that is after he disappears and becomes his evil alter-ego. The dependence on me is so heavy and debilitating, I just want to disappear myself so I can have some peace. I know it's a disease just like MS or cancer, and no I wouldn't abandon him if he had one of those, but I do feel trapped. I often want my lonely life back. At least then I had control.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: If you know an alcoholic, or especially if you are a woman taking care of an alcoholic man who is constantly ruining your life, BUY THIS BOOK. It will make you cry with acknoledgement that your life is taken over by this DEVIL called alcoholism. You learn that alcoholism is the eternal excuse for the guy who ruins your life and you are stuck with the raw pain. This book is a slap in the face, a wake up call, a new realization.
Rating:
Summary: Learning experience
Review: This book helped me understand my husband imensely. I guess you could say I had a light bulb moment when I read it. It was very easy reading and I finished the entire book in just a few hours. I have hope now where I didn't before and I am very understanding of my husbands actions now. I also realized that I myself needed to change and have a different attitude. Anyone with an alcoholic spouse will definitely benefit from reading this book and I think it's best if you own it so you can look back on it from time to time when you are questioning your situation. I highlighted things in it that I could relate to. So it's nice to be able to go back and look at those things.
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