As you all know I was working my own recovery before meeting up with my loved one with alcohol concerns.
Learning how to cry was one of the first "BIG" signs of my recovery. I grew up with two ACoA parents, and crying was not for "big" girls.
First I learned to do it with the counselor. Then about a year later I actually cried a lone.
Currently I cry regularly. My counselor is helping me to see that in many ways I am crying all the old tears I did not do before.
I exercised, used food, stuffed emotions etc. Yoga and mediation and being mindful has helped. Honestly being given permission to cry (and just that the therapist noted it) sounds like such true and loving support.