| When you live with an alcoholic in your life, you have to | | | | This is depressing because you want to feel safe and |
| change the way you live. | | | | secure in your home, but the problem is already inside. |
| You have to change the way you keep your house | | | | You have to change the way you live when you live |
| stocked with beverages. You have to realize that | | | | with an alcoholic. |
| having alcohol in the home is a thing of the past. | | | | FACT: There is no easy way to keep alcoholic |
| FACT: An alcoholic does not give a hoot where the | | | | beverages in the house where an alcoholic lives. |
| drink comes from, as long as they can drink it. | | | | If you have alcohol in the house, be prepared to have it |
| This is hard to understand for many people. If you do | | | | disappear quickly. This is a predicament for everybody |
| not have a drinking problem, but take pleasure in a | | | | that keeps alcohol in the house. |
| drink occasionally, you will have to make some | | | | Just because a well meaning acquaintance brought it |
| changes. | | | | over for when he or she visits will not mean a thing. |
| The poignant thing is that you may have to be the one | | | | The alcoholic that needs a drink does not care whose |
| to hide the alcohol. | | | | alcohol it is but only that it is there and they feel like it. |
| Can I suggest that if you really want to make a | | | | This can cause more problems when they come for a |
| difference, quit drinking yourself? | | | | visit and the alcohol is gone. You have to explain and |
| If you drink, you have to use sound judgment. You | | | | identify the truth instead of covering it up. |
| have to realize that living with an alcoholic and drinking | | | | Hiding alcohol is not the answer, but unfortunately, it is |
| yourself can make for some intense moments. It may | | | | the only way you can keep alcohol in the house if you |
| make you feel self-importantand able to say things | | | | do. Sometimes you will feel like this is not worth it and |
| that you normally would not. | | | | get depressed. This is the time you need to talk to |
| This could create some arguments and even some | | | | someone. Living with an alcoholic that seeks and finds |
| abusive behavioral on both parts. If you do drink, it | | | | the alcohol to drink has a problem and most |
| should be on moderation and make sure that you do | | | | counselors will tell you not to keep alcohol in the house |
| not need to discuss anything with your spouse or | | | | at all. This is not what you want to hear, but short of |
| partner when you are drinking. | | | | sleeping with the alcohol next to your bed, this may be |
| Keep alcohol out of sight if you live with an alcoholic in | | | | the only way to stop the alcoholic from drinking what is |
| your life. This is vital, but it is also necessary. Many | | | | not theirs. |
| alcoholics will hide their empties so that you do not | | | | You may need to have an alcohol free home to deter |
| know that they are drinking, but now you will have to | | | | drinking at home. This is not hard to do if you do not |
| be the one hiding the alcohol if you want to keep it in | | | | want a cocktail now and then. If you are just a casual |
| the house. This now becomes a really bad living state | | | | drinker and only want a few cocktails, you will have to |
| of affairs. Unfortunately, if you want alcohol in the | | | | decide what is more important. This is hard, but then |
| house for yourself or for when guests stop over, you | | | | again, living with an alcoholic is problematical nearly all |
| will have to keep it out of sight. | | | | of the time. |
| Please don't think that a lock on the liquor cabinet will | | | | There is no straightforward way to live with a person |
| deter the alcoholic in you life. If the person knows that | | | | that has a drinking difficulty. You have to make |
| there is alcohol in the house, even if you use a lock | | | | sacrifices in most cases to make things work. |
| and key to keep them out, they will discover a way. | | | | |