CanIRecoverToo
11-04-2008, 02:38 PM
Just wanted to drop by and introduce myself. I'm new to the forum and look forward to learning as much as I can. My partner and I met about a year ago. Shortly after meeting her she confided to me about her addiction. Shortly after meeting, she sought out recovery and checked herself into rehab. I immediately began Al-Anon. She detoxed for 5 days, inpatient treatment for 28 days and 4 months of support living. I have participate and supported her in treatment since day one, although it was very difficult being away from her. We both have been through so much and I'm proud to say she is a few days away from being 10 months sober. I have taken alot of time to educate myself about the disease, I actively participate in many recovery activities and look forward to a future with her centered around recovery, hopefully. She recently moved with me to my home state for a few months so that I can finalize some family matters before we relocate back to her home town next fall. Now that we are finally living together under one roof I have noticed a few issues/patterns that tend to creep up, mostly with me and how I take some of her personality. Since I did not have a long history with her in active addiction, I get confused quite often about her reactions to certain issues. I know that I need to adjust my reactions to certain behaviors but in order for me to do that I really need some insight as to what I am encountering. My biggest issue is the emotional withdrawal I get from her when I am feeling sad or anxious. This woman who is full of love and support will emotionally withdraw, become angry and defensive. Is this reaction typical of someone in early recovery? Perhaps at this stage of her recovery she is giving emotionally what she is only capable of doing and that I need to understand that and not take the withdrawal personally. Any feedback from others is welcomed.