My husband quit cold turkey in 2017, stayed sober for 5y, then thought social drinking was ok. On Jan 2 he checked himself into rehab, spent there 2 weeks, detoxed, and started therapy. I'm happy and proud of him, but he is being such a dick now. Not abusive, just 100% emotionally unavailable and 0% empathy. And since I'm the closest person, it kinda lands on me often. Any advice on survival strategy for me is appreciated.

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Go to alalon meetings.

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^ Don’t compare yourself out of the alanon rooms. It’s easy to do this.

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My experience, is that when it comes to alcoholism, the alcoholic (which your husband may or may not be, only he can decide that) becomes a selfish and unloving creature while drinking and then again once the drink has been taken away. Hopefully therapy works for him; for me I needed to attend and embrace AA.

AA has a sister program, known as Al-Anon (as mentioned by the person posting before me), which is specifically for loved ones of alcoholics. It’s a great program for maintaining one’s sanity while learning about the trouble a relationship with an alcoholic creates (and how to navigate it).

Seeing a therapist yourself could certainly be helpful (so long as they are familiar with addiction), and there are likely scores of books out there with other people sharing their experience with similar situations. Probably some Podcasts or “speaker tapes” too. Maybe go to YouTube and lookup an Al-Anon speaker tape. It might change your life.

Sadly, when it comes to alcoholism, there is no quick and easy cure. Recovery is a long road that requires persistence, dedication, patience, and love. More importantly, it requires humility and tolerance and honesty, which are usually quite rare in the lives of alcoholics. I’ve seen miracles happen, but those miracles only happen when someone does “the work” suggested to recover. Left to our own devices, we almost always revert back to our addictive behaviors (or act like jerks because we can’t “escape” through the addiction).

❤️‍🩹

likehelpful

💯

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his emotional unavailability might have less to do with you and more to do with his disappointment with himself. If you suspect this, try to get him to do some self-care for himself everyday - especially some type of fitness regime - something to feel like he’s becoming closer to who he wants to be and not just “back to where he started 5 years ago”

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Thank you! It makes sense, and he is disappointed in himself, and ashamed, and feels guilty.
I have no idea though how to get him to the gym. He is now in a state when he doesn’t believe he deserves love and/or care, including self-love and self-care.
I was hoping he coukd find a sponsor while in rehab, but he said that he didnt meet anyone he could connect with.
He is starting an outpatient substance use program tomorrow with the exceptional clinic, I hope they can support him the way he needs.

Read "to the wives" from the big book of alcoholics anonymous, if you haven't already. He needs to work the program and you can't work it for him. If he works the program, it will get better for both of you. But it takes time.

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I just Left Rehab 2 Day ago .. and unfortunately Relapse, I thou not on purpose It just happened, and I fight to get my son back Iguess it some Im not grasping , I'm new here I just expected it to stick ..

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Start your day one again, and also get into an outpatient substance use program. You can do it.
Also, get yourself some telehealth apps with therapy. I know you want your son back, and you need to focus on yourself first. Your son will wait for you if he can get the best version of his father back.

You're trying to get sober and stay that wait not to have your son back but to step into your own power and be the best possible version of yourself. Focus on that.
And the plan is really simple but tough
1) Get the substance out of your system
2) Learn your triggers
3) Create a plan for learning new coping strategies

Rehab works for step 1.
Ask your doctor to prescribe naltrexone, it will help with cravings.
Go into a support group, will also help with cravings and stress release.
Try AA steps. If you don’t believe in God and lack imagination it won’t be helping much, though.
Start diary, write your observations every time when you want to use to identify your triggers.
Go into therapy at least once a week to identify your triggers (you might have subconscious triggers that are harder to find on your own) and develop coping strategies.

Open and honest communication. This might feel scary, but it's crucial. Find a quiet, calm moment to express how his emotional distance is impacting you. Don't blame or accuse. Focus on your feelings

It doesn’t feel scary. It’s just useless when someone is in withdrawal, or maybe it’s just my husband. It’s already passed, he seems better now, and he stopped being an d to everyone. But when his brain was in pain of losing the stimulant, he wasn’t able to control himself much

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