Branches.....this is precisely why I have always thought that there should be a "law" that the alcoholic live separately from their loved ones during early recovery......that it would be a kindness for all involved. The whole family...every one....could use that time and space to get their bearings.
Early recovery can be a special kind of hell for many people---alcoholic and loved ones, alike.
I think it is an interesting observation that so many marriages will last for years---and, even decades, while the drinking is active. But, many of those same m arriages will break up after the alcoholic puts down the bottle......
There are many, many factors that co ntribute to this, I think......
There is much more to a good marriage than just the absence of drinking.....
dandylion