How do I recognize that the alcoholic is an individual with habits, characteristics and ways of reacting to daily happenings that are different from mine?
She is her own person with her own hopes and dreams. The alcohol changes her thinking but they are her thoughts nontheless and I don't have the right to make her see my way of thinking regardless of how benevolent I think I am.
Do I accept that alcoholism is a disease? How does that change how I deal with a drinker?
I'm having a hard time with this one. If it's a disease, don't I have an obligation to help her? This is my struggle. I need to work on this part of step 1 for a while. I notice there is a rather long thread here on this point. I'll just read what the group has to say about this.
How have I tried to change others in my life? What were the consequences?
In my much younger life, I had the need to control. I've gotten older and realize that I don't have the right to control others. I say the Serenity Prayer a lot.
This will hold me over for the evening. This is certainly not easy.