I have been unable to find a non-religious support group for spouses of binge alcoholics.

There is a non-religous support group for the alcoholics, called "Smart Recovery", but they have not yet instituted anything for the non-drinking side of the family.

If any of you know of such a thing, I'd really like to know of it. Thanx.

P.S. I tried Al-Anon, but it's just not a good match for my mentality

Anguilla

Codependents Anonymous is also a support group for spouses and friends of people who suffer from addictions. Here is a site that has the phone number for Codependents Anonymous in the Southern California area.

If you find that the area code places the group too far from your home, call the number anyway. They, typically, give numbers of groups located closer to their callers.

Hope this helps.

doriek,

Thank you very kindly for your time and your advice.

You're welcome, anguilla.

Anguilla, I have to ask you a question. How are you dealing with your spouse now? I have experienced life with an alcoholic spouse. It does make life very challenging. It was extremely difficult for me to continue our marriage without losing my sanity. Ultimately, we had so many problems that our family is now broke up. I emotionally just couldn't tolerate it. It had nothing to do with my love or lack of it for my husband. Is there a way to actually make life acceptable with an alcoholic spouse even with support groups?

Wildflower

In some cases, when the non-alcoholic spouse gets help and learns to take care of his/her self, the alcoholic spouse gets help, too. These cases may be rare, but there is some hope.

My understanding is that it takes great courage strength, wisdom and endurance to work a personal program while living with alcoholism. It also takes great courage, strength, and wisdom to leave home and get away from it. I think it's a matter of choice and *severity*.

Good point, Wildflower.

[This message was edited by doriek on 09-14-02 at 02:17 PM.]