The marriage I was a part of for almost twenty years was riddled with emotional/verbal and some physical abuse, actually by both of us. However, I always felt that I received worse treatment...however, we were both active in our disease during that entire marriage and go figure needless to say the marriage was a disaster and brought damage to our two daughters. Upon summoning up the courage to leave, well that's when some healing started and the denial stopped. Six months after I left him he got sober and 18 months after I left I got sober and work a program, he no longer works a program. My life is so much better today, I finally feel free! I finally feel safe. Our daughters are healing too, I talk openly and honestly about what went on when they were young. I'm dating a man on the Program who is mature, respectful and loving...something that I wasn't quite use to but now realize I am worth being treated well and so are all women!