Healing words for recovering alcoholics

The importance of high self-esteem resonates in Linda Streep’s voice when she speaks of her recovery from alcoholism.

Streep, now residing in Pierrefonds, was married at 17 and has three children. She believed her husband would provide her with all the joy in the world. But the peace was broken when he began drinking heavily. “I used to think I needed other people to make me happy,” she said. “But now I realize I don’t need anybody to make me happy, I have to do that for myself.”

It was only after Streep attended Al-anon meetings she realized happiness lied from within. ‘(Al-anon) gave me the self-respect and strenght I needed to keep going.’ she added.

Al-anon is an international network geared to support people affected by alcoholic victims, whether they are physically abused or demoralized.

Streep had to learn self respect the hard way. After years of her husband talking down to her, she isolated her self in embarassment and eventually started drinking herself. “I allowed unacceptable behaviour to go on, and I believed (the abuse) I was being told,” she said. “When you start believing (the abuse), then you stop doing what you normally would. It got to the point where it was hard for me to pick up the phone and speak to someone. “I don’t blame (my husband) anymore, but it took a lot of forgiving. I also had a part to play because I chose to stay.” Streep added.

For 15 years alcohol kept the Streep household in a somber mood. “(Alcoholism) bankrupts you spiritually, morally and mentally,” she said. “We learned to walk on eggshells. Whenever my husband would walk in, my kids would walk out.”

Despite the bad history, Streep and her husband have a loving relationship and continue to have strong ties with their children.

Streep decided to work out her drinking problem by attending Al-anon after her husband entered Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. “It wasn’t easy because we both didn’t change right away, it took a lot of work and time,” she said. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, I’m not perfect by any stretch. But I feel a lot better than where I was.”

Today, Streep is grateful for the new life she found with the help of Al-anon and volunteers there by listening to new members talk about their difficulties in hopes they will resolve them.

Al-anon will be holding their Words that Heal two-day convention for the Montreal area starting Friday at 7.30 p.m. at Rosemont College, 6400 16th Ave., in Montreal's Rosemont district.

For more information, call Madeleine 514-327-8337 or e-mail rmmoring47@yahoo.ca.