CAN I FIND SOME PEACE WHEN I FEEL UPSET?

Very often we may feel distracted, obsessed, angry, resentful or completely lost.  That's what it's like living with someone who is abusing alcohol.

So, what can we do? Can we avoid these negative feelings when our drinker is driving us out of our mind?

There are a few ways to detach ourselves from the drinker, to get a little peace in our minds.

One that is used by thousands of people around the world in our situation is:

To recite the "Serenity Prayer" ----  of course it will be good to learn it off by heart - it's not long:

"God,

Grant  me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage, to change the things I can,

And Wisdom to know the difference."

It is very worthwhile to learn this simple prayer off by heart - it will always help to calm you down when you feel stressed. Most of us say it to ourselves a couple of times or more, when we are upset, confused, angry or  maybe cannot get to sleep.

Think of what the words mean:

• I have to accept the drinking - I cannot change it
• I can change MY ATTITUDE to the drinker - I can choose not to get involved with anger etc.
• I need to sort out what I CAN change from those things I CANNOT change, then do something to help myself - remember: there is very little I can do to help the drinker. But - I can help myself.

Saying this prayer will take our mind off what is going on around us, give us some Serenity, and help us do something to help ourselves,

Write it down and learn the Serenity Prayer - it will pay big dividends for the rest of your life.

It is priceless to learn to find Serenity while living with an alcohol abuser - it helps us cope.