So today I finished reading the book Staying Sober: A Guide For Relapse Prevention. I discussed with my boyfriend the things I learned in it... and how recovery only begins after you stop drinking. Quitting drinking is only the first step. And that there's so much work to be done.
I'm going to set up an appt. with a therapist for individual counseling & group counseling... and I'm finally going to my first face-to-face Women For Sobriety meeting next Thursday (if I don't chicken out again).
I explained to him that he's involved in my addiction and affected by it just by virtue of being in a relationship with me. And now that I'm sober doesn't mean everything is going to be perfect... far from it. That I'd like for him to come to some of the individual counseling sessions with me, so that the counselor can help him understand how he can help me with the relapse prevention plan that I want to establish. And that my sobriety-based PAWS (post acute withdrawal syndrome) symptoms don't mean I'm nuts or an evil b****... but that they are just a by-product of my alcohol addiction for the past 15 yrs of my life (since around age 19-20 I'd say).
My boyfriend is 100% supportive as far as I can tell. I told him he may be in for some s*** for a while... and he's aware of it. I told him he's free to go at any time if it gets to be too much for him, and that I would understand. And I explained he might ought to get in the mindset of being like a rubber band... able to bend and give with the pressure. Cause I know I can be handful
