Love those words - the "death of the dream of happiness". Let go of it! I had the "dream of happiness" and I wasn't happy. So many on here with ABF/AGF hang on to them because they dream of being married, having a home, raising their children -- if only when I have those things I will be happy. I don't think my husband was an alcoholic when we married 24 years ago. We worked hard together, and we had the "dream" life. We weren't wealthy, but we had a nice house in the country, two beautiful healthy children, lots of pets, and financial security.
Having those things will NOT make you happy; sharing a life like that with an alcoholic is as miserable as sharing a life of poverty with an alcoholic. Please do not hold on to that dream. Happiness is within you -- it IS there, really!!