Your story is inspiring. Congratulations on a healthy move for you and your son. Is there an Alateen organization in your area that your son could participate in? My xah left me and our three children for a gf many years ago. They were babies, but the situation has left some deep wounds. They each have their own issues related to their dad's alcoholism. It has been a form of abandonment for each of them. I'm trying hard to educate them about alcoholism so that they can understand that they had no fault in their dad's decision to leave them or to not fully participate in their lives. And to teach them how to make future healthy relationship choices in their own lives.
I love that your family is there for your son. Even though my family is thousands of miles away, my kids adore them and consider their uncles their second fathers. Welcome back to SR!