Quote: Now, for an alternative approach to the question she asked, how about: "Honey, I'm wondering what you think are the differences between taking antidepressants to treat an anxiety disorder and using alcohol to cope?" That is, make HER answer the question.
I haven't really asked her that directly but she's volunteered her opinion never-the-less. She's said the difference is that one is something she can do or not do and the other, well, is something "looser-ish", scary and addictive. She is TOTALLY convinced that she can quit drinking any time she wants to. These are either words of truth or words of addiction. The bottom line is that there is SO much more to it but the stigma I talked about with Whatis is really the main problem here. Somehow she thinks as soon as she takes a pill there will be some kind of sign that will appear on her forehead designating her a "weak looser housewife addicted to anti-depressants" whereas since nobody but me knows about her drinking habits, that is the more preferable route. I think even if everyone knew that she drank the way she sometimes does, she would still consider that the more "socially acceptable" way to "treat" this condition she has.
OT, I WILL try. I will not give up on this because she is SO close to getting REAL help for the first time since I have known her. She is SO close to sleeping through the night and not being afraid of being in the house alone. She is SO close to not being depressed and giving herself a chance to live a MUCH less stressful life.
