Grateful Valentine
A Grateful Valentine
My Husband’s Sobriety is a Gift that will last a Lifetime
December 21, 2016, this is the day my husband entered Alina Lodge and had his last drink.
Up until this day, my days were filled with so much fear, anger and sadness. I felt powerlessness on a daily basis. In August 2016, Jimmy, went into the hospital with acute pancreatitis and then fell into ketoacidosis. HIs organs started to fail, and he was on a ventilator for 3 days. I prayed every day that if he pulled through this would be it. He’ll be ok and stop! I thought for sure this was his rock bottom. I remember sitting there all day and praying.
I wanted to walk out the door and never look back so many times, but I couldn’t. For better or worse.
“Alina Lodge guided Jimmy to living a sober life. Alina Lodge guided me in helping me understand Jimmy’s disease. “
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough for him, he continued to drink and was in a destructive down spiral. I was angry. I couldn’t understand how almost dying wouldn’t make him stop! On December 20, 2016, Jimmy left work and drank and got behind the wheel. He got into 3 accidents that day, all hit and runs. I still thank god every day that no one was hurt. I wasn’t sure if this was Jimmy’s rock bottom, but it sure was mine. I wanted out; I didn’t want to live this life anymore. The next day he was released, and a good friend of the family told us about Alina Lodge and its long term program. My brother in-law and I called and learned about their program and decided that this may just be the place that he needs. Jimmy came home to an intervention and at first, he didn’t want to go and then decided he’d go, but after Christmas. As much as I didn’t want our 2.5 year old daughter not to have her Daddy on Christmas, I knew this was it. I knew I had to stand strong! It took everything I had to look in my husband’s eyes and tell him if you don’t go now, today, our daughter and I are walking out the door and it’s over. Jimmy made the right decision and off he went.
I was on an emotional rollercoaster. My daughter hugged me and asked me why I was so sad that night. The love I felt through her hug was just what I needed. I knew then I had to let this anger go. I had to keep making sure our 3 year old girl didn’t miss a beat of all the happiness she deserved. I knew as a mother I needed to put a smile on my face and make sure my husband was still part of our daughters’ life each day he was gone. We shared stories everyday about her Daddy. I explained to her that where Daddy was, he could see the moon too, so each night she said goodnight to Daddy looking at the moon. Our daughter didn’t see him for 4 months and the day she did, it was like they were never separated. I knew then and there I did everything right!
Jimmy came home after 11 months on December 1, 2017. He goes to AA meetings on a daily basis. I’m grateful for the “friends” he’s made all throughout the AA community. It comforts me that he has the support that he needs.
In August 2018 we talked about completing our family. This past June we welcomed our baby boy.
Alina Lodge has been a blessing to Jimmy, myself and our family. Jimmy had been in and out of multiple rehabs. Alina Lodge guided Jimmy to living a sober life. Alina Lodge guided me in helping me understand Jimmy’s disease. I am so grateful for his sobriety. It’s been a long road and it wasn’t easy. I am so proud of everything he’s accomplished in a little over the 2 years he’s been home. Jimmy has asked me each birthday and Christmas if there’s something special I want. My response has been and always will be that his sobriety is a gift, a gift that will last a lifetime.
Recovery is a lifelong process, and till death do us part, I’ll be along for the ride!
CW
Wife of a Sober Alina Lodge Alumni
Alina Lodge has been helping men and women pursue addiction recovery and sobriety for the past 63 years. Let us not only help you learn tools to be abstinent but tools to be sober. Call Alina Lodge right now to start on your journey to sobriety – (800)575-6343. There is a place where “Hope can become Fact.”
Little Hill Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Alcoholics operates Alina Lodge and Haley House for Women for the purpose of helping people attain and maintain a life of sobriety.
Alina Lodge
61 Ward Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
(908)362-6114
AlinaLodge.org
Alina Lodge is a premiere long term residential alcohol and drug addiction rehab facility specializing in the treatment of adults with a history of chronic relapse issues. More than just a 12 step program, our treatment program works where others have failed.
We treat all types of chemical dependency such as alcoholism and drug addictions including cocaine, heroin, opioids, marijuana, methamphetamine, as well as prescription drug addiction. If you or a loved one struggles to stay sober, contact us today.
