Maziemae....Welcome to the forum!
Yours is a question that lots of people come, with, to this forum.
I'm thinking that you must be worried about the effects on your marriage, for you to come and post about it to us.
Well...you have come to the right place...lol!
I don't think that most people know very much about alcoholism, itself, (even if they have lived around it). And...a lot of what people do think about it is a combination of "old wives tales" and urban myths.
Usually, people get schooled in the facts and natural course that alcoholism takes, is when they have a special reason to do so. (who knew?)....and, that includes professionals, too!
I am going to give you a link to our Classic Reading collection of articles. There are dozens and dozens of informational articles about alcoholism and the effects on the loved ones. I hope you will look them over and read the ones that appeal to you....
Knowledge is power...
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...c-reading.html
(Note that those Classic Readings are located in out "sticky" section of the forum...just above the threads. I am going to give you a link for a diagram of what that section looks like).....below...
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...find-them.html
I hope you will stay around the forum and continue to read and learn.