Hope for When You Feel Trapped

You feel trapped in a marriage to an alcoholic or substance abuser.   You love your partner, so you want to stay in this relationship, but you’re angry, confused, hopeless, and you don’t know how much longer you can take it all.   You might have told your loved one that this was the last chance to save your relationship. That he or she had to get sober because you don’t know how much more of this you can take. The idea of leaving breaks your heart and you don’t see a way out. The good man or woman you fell in love with is the person you cling to. The loving, best version of him or her - that’s the person you need. You want that person to stay sober. On the days you lose hope that your loved one will ever get sober for good, you entertain the idea of leaving. But how would you support yourself? Where would you go? Will your children hate you for breaking apart the family? What would your family think? It’s not simple, is it? It’s complicated and messy. Maybe your anger and desire for your partner to get sober causes you to threaten to leave. But by now, your loved one knows they are just empty words because you have threatened to leave so many times. Fear is keeping you stuck. But I’m here to remind you, sweet friend, that it’s not too late for you. You can feel happiness again. If you feel like your marriage is hanging on by a thread. That's okay. That’s normal. You don’t need to make up your mind to leave or stay today. You must forgive yourself for staying and remember that you reserve the right to change your mind tomorrow. It will get so much easier when you just surrender the decision and trust the process. You will get to a point when you’ll know if it’s time. You're not trapped... you're just not ready to make the decision yet. Deciding to leave or stay is the end result - it’s the final destination. You still have a journey ahead of you. Until you have the confidence, courage, and self-love that you know you need - it’s not the time to make the choice if you should stay or go. There is no need to worry about it. Put it aside and focus on yourself-care. I’m right here cheering you on! You can do it! If you’re ready to make your healing as important as your partner’s sobriety – we are waiting for you. Our programs are online, confidential, and you have lifetime access – so you can do them at your own pace.

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