What are you afraid of?

I am afraid...
that I was/am not enough.
that I have failed.
that I won't be able to help.

I am afraid...
of being lied to again.
of being hurt emotionally.
of losing him and not being able to do anything about it.

A few months ago, he told me I was being co-dependent. I'm sure we were arguing at the time, but he also told me I was being too needy, too clingy, and that I wanted too much. In hindsight, I think he was just trying to alleviate his guilt and make me feel bad. It definitely made me feel bad, but was what he said true? Sure, we all experience some minor co-dependent behaviors. I don't know anyone who doesn't feel good when they give someone a gift and the receiver lights up like it was best present ever. Also, in hindsight, I now understand what was going on outside of the argument. He was trying to juggle his time among his brother, getting high, and me. I had started to feel like he was choosing his brothers over me when that was only partially true. They were all busy trying not to feel the death of their father by getting high. In doing so, they spent lots of time together both day and night. There were many nights that I went to bed alone, even on nights when we had sex. He may or may not have joined me hours later. I don't think I ever thought that I was truly losing him, but I did feel like he was pulling away from me. Sex was beginning to feel like a moment of elation followed by a lonely crash. I missed him. I started to feel like the only time he was there emotionally was when we were having sex or when we were both crying because I finally broke down and tried to explain what I was feeling.

I think that on some level most of us experience co-dependent behaviors when we are trying to get to and are in a submissive mindset. The desire to please, attuned to what he wants, feeling self-conscious, and any guilty feelings if something goes awry. All of these feelings are normal. However, when I started feeling like I had moved down on the list of his priorities, when I started feeling like I was the only one taking care of the boys, when I found out he was lying to me, when I thought he no longer wanted to spend time with me, and when I believed what I said and felt no longer mattered,...then all of those co-dependent tendencies intensified.

Then came the feelings of helplessness, anger, fear, and hurt. My self-worth had taken a hit. I felt guilty that I had turned a blind eye towards the signs. I felt that my heart and trust had taken a major blow.

Even though I recognize the signs of co-dependency, I don't believe that I am truly co-dependent because I can function on my own, and when I am aware of what is going on I do not obsess about where he is or what he's doing. Yes, I do enjoy spending time with him and doing things together, but there are some things that I don't jump all into because they aren't my thing. For instance, he likes playing with audio speakers - I don't mind messing with them for a while but I tend to get bored with it so I'll do something else in the same room. A lot of the time when I do feel needy and clingy, it's because I don't want to lose him, and honestly what do you expect after what we've been through?

I know that what happened wasn't my fault, but I hate how powerless I feel. When I choose to let go of control when we play or have sex, it's because I feel safe, cared for, and I trust him. But feeling powerless when it comes to an addiction is absolutely terrifying. I hate feeling like I'm not enough, like I'm going to lose him. I hate watching him walk out of the door because I don't know if he's coming back and not because he doesn't want to come home, but because he won't be able to.

He has been sober for almost 7 weeks, and I am very proud of him. Even though drinking isn't the problem, he started going to AA meetings this week and it is helping him gain perspective and let's him remember he isn't alone in his addiction. I am considering attending an Al-anon meeting, but I'm afraid it'll be full of stories of abuse and people trying to let go and back off of their loved ones for their own safety or for tough love. My story isn't one of abuse and trying to get out. I want to stay and support him. I want him to see what he has right in front of him. I realize I have no control over what someone else does, but how do you deal with it when what he does affects you? Step back? Stop caring? Don't get upset? In my mind if I pull the focus from him, then all I am doing is learning to live without him. How does that help us?

Honestly, I believe that he won't do it again, and I know he feels terrible about what he did. In addition to the legal issues that are still looming, he also lost his job on March 24th. We mostly finished one of his side jobs but we are still waiting on payment - the guy owes us $2,400. His second side job has gone over the original estimated one week of work by two weeks due to rain and working by himself. He also reduced his quote because he was concerned he wouldn't get work, but when you do the math...that means he is making significantly less than minimum wage because of gas (job location is an hour out) and time lost. He has made some headway with things around the house - fixed lawnmower, fixed weedeater, built lean-to for dad, finished most of the siding work on a large shed, fixed leak in roof, etc. There are still things on the list that even I get overwhelmed thinking about it all. We have things that we can sell, but even they need to be fixed first - two vehicles and a camper.

Today, he went to quote a job and apply for a job. I definitely do not want him to get depressed or lose hope. I want him to get better, deal with the past, and learn how to cope. I am feeling the emotions of the past in triggered spurts, but I need to work on figuring out how to let it go and overcome the fear. It is hard when an action or a word reminds me or makes me question. He is doing very well at letting me know his plans for the day and calling me if things change or he is going to be late. Those simple things help alleviate so much stress, worry, and fear. I do trust him...but trusting without fear will have to come back in time. I hope you understand that I am not afraid of him nor am I afraid that he will do anything to purposely hurt me in any way. I am not afraid of relapse but I am afraid he will be taken from me because of a relapse.

Posting is so hard these days. I want to share what I'm feeling, because I need to get it out and not avoid my own emotions. I also hope that maybe others will have their own story to share even if it's anonymously.

I'm sorry this isn't a spanking related post. Erotic spankings definitely still occur and are thoroughly enjoyable, but this post is just about life and what's on my mind right now.

Please feel free to leave comments (anonymously or not) about your experiences with addictions, AA or Al-anon meetings, other group meetings, or just general support. Every little bit helps and maybe you'll even be helping someone else who wanders on to this post.