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They say what doesn't destroy you makes you stronger, so I must be more powerful than superman by now. 
I don't think I would consider myself compassionate in the normal sense @PeppiPatty. It's kind of hard to explain really. More that I take the time to read & try to understand, relating it to what I've been through myself. This is probably why I've always found it easier to talk to others with MI than those who have never really experienced it. Because I can understand what they are going through I feel they can also understand me better. It seems to make things go easier.
I actually have real problems connecting with people emotionally. But when I write (or read, or listen to music) it's different. I have time to think & plan and be more connected to what I'm saying. I don't know if that makes sense or not.
I suppose the biggest thing was something that came to me when I finally stood up & accepted that I had a problem. It was the realisation that what was going on with me & most of of what I was doing wasn't me, it was the flow-on effects of an untreated or poorly treated illness. Get some control of the illness, along with the support & care needed & I think I will find the real me. I like to believe it can be the same for others & part of the real me is wanting them to succeed, and be safe while getting there. And, hopefully, to get there before it causes irreparable damage, like it did for me.
Maybe I'll post my full story here one day as I can't link to where it can be found elsewhere. It's a long story & I'm not sure how many would find it interesting or useful to read.
Cheers
A little something from your post in the other thread @Strugglingmum
There is hope for your husband escaping the family history of alcohol abuse. Me in fact.
I never new my real father, I was only 3 when he died. But apparently he wasn't the best of men, enjoying the beer & using his hands. Luckily my mother while not a teetotaler, rarely ever drank anything at all. But my family does have some history with alcohol.
I've talked elsewhere about my own problems with it. But drinking seems to be in the family. I have two brothers I know are alcoholics, although they won't admit it to themselves. My younger brother drinks between 60 & 90 cans of beer every week, more if they're having a party for some reason. The other is never without a can of Southo when he can get it.
My other brothers are drinkers too but they're estranged from the rest of the family so don't know how much they indulge. Not sure about my surviving sisters either, don't socialise that much. My nieces & nephews that I keep contact with are also drinkers. While not to the extremes, they are always ready to get a party going and get blotto. Can't comment on my own children, due to things in my past I haven't seen them in almost 10 years, but I know my oldest was into it as well back then.
Despite all that I have managed to become almost a non-drinker. Last Xmas was the first time in 5 or 6 years I had more than a few, I really let myself go for once. Thankfully it was just a one night thing & I was able to switch off again afterwards. I sometimes go spend a few days at my brothers and do get worried with how much they all drink but so far it hasn't been a problem for me. I can stay there & let them go without becoming involved myself.
So with the right motivation & treatment I do hold some hope that your husband can change things and get heading in the right direction. Perhaps he, like me, will find that the alcohol isn't really the problem but maybe the result of other issues. For his own sake, and those around him, I hope he finds what he needs to start what was a long journey for me.
@PeppiPatty, maybe I'm a little like you're husband. While far from good looking I do have the high IQ issue (145+). At 12 my mother was told I could do anything I wanted, yet I failed to finish high school because it bored me too much. I easily passed my school certificate despite not bothering to go to school for 3 months, never studied for tests or wrote down any notes in my school books. Maybe it's not all MI that drives us to self medicate but partly the boredom of a 'normal' life?
I think that's enough writing for tonight I think. Tomorrow (today??) I might get around to how people, friends & family, react to us......
And congrats @PeppiPatty for winning a couple of prizes. Aren't colouring books for adults a thing now.
Take care everyone.
