Originally Posted by
Thumper 
A share from my experience. There are plenty of alcoholics (or maybe just people) that simply refuse to accept that it is over. Alcohol makes it easier for them to pick an outcome and cling to it without ever letting reality in or making any attempt to really look at it. Make sure that if you continue to hold off on the break up it is because you want to, because you see some real changes in his actions and in your feelings, not because you want to be kind. Does that make sense?
Yes, it makes perfect sense. I feel like I've started a process, and internal change, that I cannot stop. And, honestly, right now, I can feel myself becoming 'hopeful' that he'll get the help he needs and will make a lifelong, permanent change. But I know that that is an unrealistic dream. I AM changing my mindset, but I know that I have to be vigilant about it... it feels like it would be really easy to slide back into the cycle that we have established. It takes practice to change!!