SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Does mental health issues threaten sobriety

equus · 01-05-2005, 05:35 AM

Purely from the point of view of observation I would say it has a big effect on my husbands sobriety. He also has chronic problems and he also is determined not to blame his drinking on them.

My view is easier explained as a general philosophy. I can't see the point in us trying to fool oursleves that life is a level playing field, health problems are neck up and neck down so I see no point in denying their effects BUT - and it's a big BUT.

I think life really is like a game of cards - some of it is dealt and some hands are harder to play, BUT the player is still the most important factor. My respect for my husband comes from knowing he's played a hand many would have given up on, of course he's made mistakes, so do I but my mistakes weren't as damaging, my hand of cards was easier and sometimes I was just smarter (sometimes he's smarter too!!).

I wonder who he would be if he hadn't had a completely whacked out adrenaline system that clearly had a mind of it's own. I wonder who he would be if he hadn't fought with fear all his life. I somehow doubt he would be who he is - one of the kindest and most gentle people I've ever met and certainly the most couragious.

You have the hand of cards you got dealt, I think the skill is to look at them with honesty and then VALUE what they can offer you, unless you see their worth (your worth) surely it's hard to play them well? Acknowledging the weaknesses (I think) is also important in what you decide to do.

01-05-2005, 05:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
equus Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: uk Posts: 3,055	Purely from the point of view of observation I would say it has a big effect on my husbands sobriety. He also has chronic problems and he also is determined not to blame his drinking on them. My view is easier explained as a general philosophy. I can't see the point in us trying to fool oursleves that life is a level playing field, health problems are neck up and neck down so I see no point in denying their effects BUT - and it's a big BUT. I think life really is like a game of cards - some of it is dealt and some hands are harder to play, BUT the player is still the most important factor. My respect for my husband comes from knowing he's played a hand many would have given up on, of course he's made mistakes, so do I but my mistakes weren't as damaging, my hand of cards was easier and sometimes I was just smarter (sometimes he's smarter too!!). I wonder who he would be if he hadn't had a completely whacked out adrenaline system that clearly had a mind of it's own. I wonder who he would be if he hadn't fought with fear all his life. I somehow doubt he would be who he is - one of the kindest and most gentle people I've ever met and certainly the most couragious. You have the hand of cards you got dealt, I think the skill is to look at them with honesty and then VALUE what they can offer you, unless you see their worth (your worth) surely it's hard to play them well? Acknowledging the weaknesses (I think) is also important in what you decide to do.