January 18

January 18 – AM          Page 90, Working With Others, Chapter 7

      Sometimes it is wise to wait till he goes on a binge.  The family may object to this, but unless he is in a dangerous physical condition, it is better to risk it.  Don’t deal with him when he is very drunk, unless he is ugly and the family needs your help.  Wait for the end of the spree, or at least for a lucid interval.  Then let his family or a friend ask him if he wants to quit for good and if he would go to any extreme to do so.  If he says yes, then his attention should be drawn to you as a person who has recovered.  You should be described to him as one of a fellowship who, as part of their own recovery, try to help others and who will be glad to talk to him if he cares to see you.

January 18 – PM          Page 105, To Wives, Chapter 8

      Our loyalty and the desire that our husbands hold up their heads and be like other men have begotten all sorts of predicaments.  We have been unselfish and self-sacrificing.  We have told innumerable lies to protect our pride and our husbands’ reputations.  We have prayed, we have begged, we have been patient.  We have struck out viciously.  We have run away.  We have been hysterical.  We have been terror stricken.  We have sought sympathy.  We have had retaliatory love affairs with other men.
Our homes have been battle-grounds many an evening.  In the morning we have kissed and made up.  Our friends have counseled chucking the men and we have done so with finality, only to be back in a little while hoping, always hoping.  Our men have sworn great solemn oaths that they were through drinking forever.  We have believed them when no one else could or would.  Then, in days, weeks, or months, a fresh outburst.