Was she extremely immature when she was drinking?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
Did she often act immature in public?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
Did she often forgo paying her bills? And end up in a financial mess?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
Did she often call in sick to work? And eventually get fired?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
Did she act in an irresponsible manor when it came to caring for her dog? Apartment? Car? Herself? Me?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
Did her behavior mimic that of a child rather then an adult woman?
Would she throw tantrums and pout when she did not get her own way?
Yes! But it was the alcohol.
I could go on and on.
This is what I would keep telling myself.
So much of this childish behavior was directly related to her drinking.
If only she could stop. She would instantly become an adult.
She is now approaching 4 months sober.
And guess what?
When it comes to her behavior, not much has changed.
She often acts at the same maturity level as before, just not drunk.
She is living in a sober living facility and has made many new friends.
All of them at least ten to fifteen years younger then she is.
I asked her why she has not made friends with any of the women her own age?
She said "because they are no fun."
She started drinking hard in college.
She now lives in a dorm again and loves it.
She started getting tattoos and piercings, just like all her new friends.
She even now talks like they do.
Oh, and by the way she broke up with me two weeks out of rehab.
Then started dating a boy also in sober living who is much younger then she is.
So has she regressed back to the age she was when she started drinking?
Yes!
I guess it was the alcohol.