Why is it Hard to Let Go of the People that Hurt You?
Sometimes no contact is the kindest thing.
Before I had any understanding of Alcohol Use Disorder, I had a problem drinker boyfriend. I used to drive myself (and him) mad trying to get him to moderate his alcohol consumption.
“Why can’t you drink more slowly?”
“Why can’t you stop once you start?”
It was frustrating for both of us, locked in a destructive dance that neither of us seemed to be able to stop doing for years.
His drinking would get out of control and we’d have a huge fight, then he’d wake, sober and ashamed, begging for forgiveness.
“You’re the only one that can help me.”
Foolishly, egotistically, I’d believe it.
I’d take pity on him, and we’d do our best to have a nice time, walk the coastline, let the wind blow our mistakes away.
The sea was so vast and beautiful, I’d begin to relax a little — maybe it wasn’t that bad, maybe I had overreacted — and…