August 27

August 27 – AM

Page 80-81, Into Action, Chapter 6

The chances are that we have domestic troubles.  Perhaps we are mixed up with women in a fashion we wouldn’t care to have advertised.  We doubt if, in this respect, alcoholics are fundamentally much worse than other people.  But drinking does complicate sex relations in the home.  After a few years with an alcoholic, a wife gets worn out, resentful and uncommunicative.  How could she be anything else?  The husband begins to feel lonely, sorry for himself.  He commences to look around in the night clubs, or their equivalent, for something besides liquor.  Perhaps he is having a secret and exciting affair with “the girl who understands.”  In fairness we must say that she may understand, but what are we going to do about a thing like that?  A man so involved often feels very remorseful at times, especially if he is married to a loyal and courageous girl who has literally gone through hell for him.

August 27 – PM

Page 108, To Wives, Chapter 8

Try not to condemn your alcoholic husband no matter what he says or does.  He is just another very sick, unreasonable person.  Treat him, when you can, as though he had pneumonia.  When he angers you, remember that he is very ill.

There is an important exception to the foregoing.  We realize some men are thoroughly bad-intentioned, that no amount of patience will make any difference.  An alcoholic of this temperament may be quick to use this chapter as a club over your head.  Don’t let him get away with it.  If you are positive he is one of this type you may feel you had better leave.  Is it right to let him ruin your life and the lives of your children?  Especially when he has before him a way to stop his drinking and abuse if he really wants to pay the price.