by: Debbie Wicker

Dear Hernandez,

I’m so very sorry that your husband is drug addicted. Addiction is running rampant and many many people are facing the issues that you and your husband are struggling with.

I completely agree with you that you need to try to do everything you can to support your husband and divorcing him may only make the situation much worse.

Please start going to Al-anon meetings in your area today. Houston has many resources available to help you and your husband. Going to a few different meetings should help you to identify some Christian based rehab centers that are often free.

While at the Al-anon meetings start working the 12 steps and learn as much as you can about your husbands disease. The more you learn about it the more you will able to help him through this crisis.

Once you’re attending meeting regularly, invite your husband to go with you. Once he begins working the 12 steps it often becomes much easier for him to seek the additional treatment he needs.

Good luck to you, your husband and your children,

Debbie

by: Hernandez

Debbie, thank you for the advice. Thank you for the encouragement. Many people think I’m crazy for staying with him.

He has been facing his addiction for 15 years. He is 35 so he started using when he was 20. He is an amazing man and wonderful father when he isn’t consumed.

He does not do the drugs everyday or even every weekend. But when he does give in to his cravings, he can disappear for days on end. The longest he has disappeared was 5 days. I thought he was dead.

I have had to rush him to the ER after a binge due to a severe panic attack. He thought he was having a heart attack. He hates himself when he gives into the cravings. I am praying for him constantly. I will look for those meetings that you mentioned and start going asap. Thank you once again.

by: Hernandez

Just wanted to post an update. After his disappearance last week, we talked about attending meetings to try sending different to see if that would help. He said that he wants to go to the meetings because he doesn’t want to live like this anymore.

He lost his job last week because of missing work. He did a side job for someone yesterday and was paid and never came home. He still isn’t home and it is almost 11am. I’m devastated. The money he was paid was for groceries and such.

I’ve told him that I am no longer making excuses for him. That I will no longer cover for him. I We recently moved to Houston and I have no family here. I don’t really know anyone either because I am home with the kids all the time. I’m looking to God for answers on what I should do.

I’m praying for His strength to help get through this because I can’t get through this by myself.

by: Debbie Wicker

Dear Hernandez,

My heart reaches out to you and your husband. From what he said, you know hat he’s trapped in an addiction that he can’t figure out how to break free from. Please don’t give up on him.

He’s in a life and death struggle and God will help him if he is willing to seek God’s support. That’s what going to meetings and working the 12 steps can do for both of you.

If you can begin attending Al-anon meetings you will meet people to walk beside you in this terrible circumstance. Not coming home and spending your grocery money is not acceptable, but you must learn how to set effective boundaries with him and Al-anon can show you how to do that.

Good luck and I will pray for you and your entire family,

Debbie

by: Anonymous

Try U-turn for Christ.. They are a Christian based program that brings light and healing back into our lives.. They are based in many locations if there isn’t one by you try church organizations that can be a good start.. Pray …. Ask for guidance…the Lord always answers in HIS way but he will guide you..

by: Hernandez

Thank you so much for the advice and support. My husband is now ACTIVELY fighting his addiction head on and has vowed not to give up. He has made a ton of progress with the help of God. He realized that he had not fully submitted to God and without doing so, he would continue to fall back into the snares of his addiction.