oh those nerves!!

[avasmiles]

Hi all,
My husband is coming home in 4 days after being away for over 4 months in Rehab and Im nervous!! We both feel like we are getting ready to go on a blind date and curious to know how its all going to turn out.. THe funny thing is I have been with my husband for 9 years, but never experienced this before.. A newly sober human being without the alcohol. We are excited and nervous. Can any of you shed some light on your experiences with your spouse after returning home? Look forward to hearing from you!
Aloha,
Sarah

[CarolD]

Hi ....How exciting for the 2 of you.
I've not had this experience
but wanted to say...

Blessings

[Sweetiepie1]

Recently gone through this myself, on a positive note he's still not drinking and is very upbeat and positive.

Just one little caution, though this may not apply to you. I think subconsiously I thought it'd would be a bit of a honeymoon phase and there was the initial falling into each others arms. At the moment though he is not as tactile as he was, he's still processing a lot of stuff. I'm missing my cuddles, I'm sure we'll get there but it's going to take a little time.

Be prepared for a few more changes than just the not drinking.

Hope it goes well for you both

[Jody Hepler]

When my sober alcoholics came home from treatment, I had a few months of Alanon under my belt. It helped me so much. Because just taking away the alcohol or substances didn't render them "perfect".

My Alanon friends and meetings encouraged me to focus on myself, and not on them. Because there were lots of mood swings and ups and downs - but there was also sharing and closeness that was never there before.

I needed to learn to take the bitter with the better. And not take everything personally. It really isn't all about me. Sometimes they are just out of sorts -just like I am.

To learn that their program was just that - theirs. And mine was mine. We went to an open speakers meeting together with other folks once a week - and out to dinner - but other than that, it was separate. Oh, and we read the little recovery devotional books together in the morning for Alanon and AA.

Just like sobriety and recovery is a huge adjustment for the alcoholic, so it was for me as an Alanon. Nothing like getting into the steps with a sponsor to keep me occupied with me!

Enjoy the journey.

Love in recovery,
Jody

[dgillz]

Jody and Sweetiepie gave great advice. He didn't get F$#@!d up in 4 months, he isn't going to be well in 4 months either, but it is a great start.

Keep posting, there is great support here.