Marriage counselor suggests Al-Anon

I was at the end of the line trying to save my marriage in the spring of 1989. Nothing I tried was working. Then my wife asked me to go to marriage therapy.

I was afraid to go, but wanted to do anything to save the marriage. We had tried counseling before. It went well at first, but my wife was resistant to the male psychologist.

We quit going just before the birth of our second daughter, but the problems were still there. Finally, we found a female psychologist we both liked.

During one session, the psychologist said that we could both benefit from Al-Anon since the disease of alcoholism was running through both sides of our family. I thought my wife was the problem. Why should I go? But I was in so much pain that I would even try Al-Anon.

Since I worked nights, I went to day meetings. When I walked in my first meeting, there were more females. They welcomed me with the love and understanding that only Al-Anon could give.

Going to the psychologist and Al-Anon meetings helped our marriage get better. However, to my great sadness, I had to let go of the marriage. I had Al-Anon to help me get through that difficult time—the death of my marriage.

Today I’m thankful for the psychologist who showed me Al-Anon. This gift has helped me, along with my ex-wife, raise our two daughters into two wonderful teenagers. Al-Anon has given me a better life.

By Stephen C., Illinois
The Forum, July 2007

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