• Welcome to Autism Forums, a friendly forum to discuss Aspergers Syndrome, Autism, High Functioning Autism and related conditions.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Private Member only forums for more serious discussions that you may wish to not have guests or search engines access to.
    • Your very own blog. Write about anything you like on your own individual blog.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon! Please also check us out @ https://www.twitter.com/aspiescentral

Your Love or Your Life?

Cali Cat

Femme Ferale
I’m pretty heartbroken today. Last night I had to call off a reunion with my ex-boyfriend/fiance. He did something to upset me again. I found his behavior unacceptable, and had to ask him to not contact me anymore. The last time I left him, I made the mistake of staying in touch, and that’s how we ended up trying to reconnect again.

So many feelings are racing through me right now: disappointment, grief, regret, anger ... love ... missing him terribly. It feels overwhelming. The worst thing of all is the silence. It’s not the external quiet of missing his physical presence around me, but a quiet inside. It’s like the end of a story in my head. The last page has been read, and there is no sequel to provide further insight, or hope for a change in the outcome. No more possibilities, no more expectations, no more focus. A consciousness at loose ends ... untethered ... floating. But floating where? What do I use to fill the empty spaces where we used to talk (to paraphrase Pink Floyd)?

This is going to be very hard for me. He was/is my soul mate. We were so similar, except I don’t have the mental problems and the drinking problem he has. I keep thinking over and over what a waste it all is. He is everything a woman like me could want, except he comes with all this baggage. I simply don’t feel capable of dealing with it.

We’ve only known each other for a year and a half. Perhaps if we had more of a history together I’d feel a greater obligation to stick with him and try to get him to help himself. As it is, I realize he will make my life very difficult if I continue with him. There won’t be any easy path to happily ever after for us. He will require a huge expenditure of time, money and effort from me to attempt to get him well, and there is no guarantee it would work. That's up to him and his willpower.

Be assured, I’m not just talking about a little drinking in the evenings. I’m talking about drinking all night until one passes out, and all day and night on weekends. I’m talking about psychosis that blossoms with each additional drink one consumes, effectively turning a sweet and loving person into a hateful maniac. I’m talking about a true Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality. Instant asshole, just add alcohol.

What would you do if you were in my position? Would you follow your heart and choose to love your man/woman and stick by him/her? Would you be willing to see him/her through the months, or possibly years, of detox and therapy required, and risk everything on the hope he/she would stay "on the wagon" and see the program through? Or, would you go with your better judgement and choose your own well-being and an easier, if not a full and passionate, life without your loved one? What if you felt this was the only person you’d ever love again? Would you choose your love or your life?

If you choose to answer the question, please indicate your age, or at least age group (e.g. under 20, 20’s, 30’s, so on). I’m interested to see how age might affect answers.
 
Age-early 60s.

IMO, simply put- that is not something that can be "transcended" in any way. Unless you're willing to become a martyr, and are willing to follow him into his own abyss.

I had an uncle die this way. It was very hard on his sister, my mother. Worse for his kids. Sometimes even Al-Anon can do nothing to alleviate such a situation. When it just isn't possible to sustain a relationship based only on an alcoholic's occasional "moment of clarity".

Where all you can do is to walk away and try not to look back. You did the right thing, as difficult as it may be.
 
Last edited:
Age 37 -
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. Knowing now that I have Aspegers, - I would have to say my life would come first. The situation I was in caused me great stress and I don't deal with stress very well. I sense this is causing you a great deal of stress, and love shouldn't do so. Write a list of pros and cons on why you should stay in this relationship remembering that you and your health are important.
 
IMO, simply put- that is not something that can be "transcended" in any way. Unless you're willing to become a martyr, and are willing to follow him into his own abyss.

Much as I'd like to follow him to the ends of the earth, his abyss is not something I feel capable of handling.

When it just isn't possible to sustain a relationship based only on an alcoholic's occasional "moment of clarity".

I needed to hear it put this way. Thank you, Judge.

You did the right thing, as difficult as it may be.

Thanks for that, too. I feel like I did, but it hurts. :(
 
I was in a similar situation a few years ago. Knowing now that I have Aspegers, - I would have to say my life would come first. The situation I was in caused me great stress and I don't deal with stress very well. I sense this is causing you a great deal of stress, and love shouldn't do so.

Much of my decision is based on my Asperger's and the limitations it imposes on me. Not that I believe Aspies are generally limited by the syndrome, but it does limit the amount and type of stress we can handle, though it may differ from person to person.

You are correct. The relationship causes me a lot of stress, and I don't deal with it well either.

Write a list of pros and cons on why you should stay in this relationship remembering that you and your health are important.

Even though I've already made the decision, I think this will be an excellent exercise to reinforce the reality factor of that with which I am dealing. Thank you for the suggestion.
 
Age-70

There are people who go from kind & considerate to uncaring & hateful with just a few drinks. If they continue to drink, at all, they are dooming themselves. If you stay with someone like that, you are doomed too. As hard as it is, you did the right thing for yourself.
 
Cherishing that wonderful, admirable Aspie lady who is yourself, means making choices to prioritize your needs. One of the things we need is stability. That is a non-negotiable for most of us. Despite your profound loss and pain, I also believe you did the right thing.

My deep compassion for your suffering. I understand you feel this so very deeply right now. The further you get from this event, the more clarity you will have about why this was a wise decision.

I am imagining you taking the time to process this, to heal.
Creating and designing a more secure, stable, suitable environment and life for yourself.
Then, taking the time to enjoyably indulge your Aspie interests, to grow, develop, and explore whatever intrigues.
Who knows? Some day, distracted by all the fun you're having with your projects and adventures, you may be discovered by someone solid, calm, sensitive, and who finds your unique traits especially endearing.

I hope you feel better soon.

If we were closer, I'd bring you some tangerines and let you borrow a plush dinosaur.
 
13254275_1018316514932036_4865083016646585255_n.jpg
 
Much of my decision is based on my Asperger's and the limitations it imposes on me. Not that I believe Aspies are generally limited by the syndrome, but it does limit the amount and type of stress we can handle, though it may differ from person to person.

You are correct. The relationship causes me a lot of stress, and I don't deal with it well either.



Even though I've already made the decision, I think this will be an excellent exercise to reinforce the reality factor of that with which I am dealing. Thank you for the suggestion.


Im sorry for your loss. Both of my parents are alcoholics my dad is a recovering alcoholic and to this day my mom is a raging alcoholic. I know from dealing with my parent and other family members that you can't interact rationally with irrational people, trust me it just doesn't work. I mentioned in another thread where I during a time of being raged with depression I turned to alcohol to numb emotional pain.

I think you still love him greatly so you hate seeing what he is doing to himself(and the people around him) with this behavior. It seems what is hurting you the most is that you can't change him even as much as you want to you can't. Your ex boyfriend is the only one that change him, being powerless to that fact is what is causing al of this heartache. Does all of that make sense? I'm a 17 year man/male
 
Gee this is a hard one. I think if I was in your position I would stick with my other half.
But I'm foolish in that aspect, love can cloud your judgement and make you do stupid things.
 
I'm 42 & i'd say that the alcohol issue is the biggest problem. I've been out with a few
alcoholics & to be honest it was just like banging ones head against the wall. The
irritability, the low moods & the basically ****** attitude that reigns supreame really
can take it's toll on ones energy levels & ability to understand/support the one with the
problem. Plus they generally have a disstorted take on events that occured around
them. I found it to be painfull & only after a long while away was I able to understand
that they were not the one for me.

One I thought I could help but the damage was already done. It hurt but looking back
wow did I miss the bullet. I used to see a girl that had issues & one day she hinted
about having children. Now as the relationship had been a bit on & off I was a bit wary.
I was also unsure about her ability to cope as I felt she was too fond of drinking so I
said something about it possibly be something for the future after she'd gotten a better
grip on the drink. Lets just say that within two weeks we'd gone our seperate ways &
within a month & a half she'd gotten pregnant via a so called friend. The lesson I took
from all that was not to go out with an alki as they will inevitebly damage ones heart &
possibly sanity.

I feel your pain Cali Cat & understand fully the quandry you face with your feelings.
Only you can make the choice as to whether the guy is worth it. But to be honest if he
hasn't made a change to stop or cut down in a year & a half for you then sadly you'd
probably find yourself going around in circles with the same issues a year & a half from
now.

Best wishes & don't blame yourself, it's not your fault.
 
I'm 42 & i'd say that the alcohol issue is the biggest problem. I've been out with a few
alcoholics & to be honest it was just like banging ones head against the wall. The
irritability, the low moods & the basically ****** attitude that reigns supreame really
can take it's toll on ones energy levels & ability to understand/support the one with the
problem. Plus they generally have a disstorted take on events that occured around
them. I found it to be painfull & only after a long while away was I able to understand
that they were not the one for me.

One I thought I could help but the damage was already done. It hurt but looking back
wow did I miss the bullet. I used to see a girl that had issues & one day she hinted
about having children. Now as the relationship had been a bit on & off I was a bit wary.
I was also unsure about her ability to cope as I felt she was too fond of drinking so I
said something about it possibly be something for the future after she'd gotten a better
grip on the drink. Lets just say that within two weeks we'd gone our seperate ways &
within a month & a half she'd gotten pregnant via a so called friend. The lesson I took
from all that was not to go out with an alki as they will inevitebly damage ones heart &
possibly sanity.

I feel your pain Cali Cat & understand fully the quandry you face with your feelings.
Only you can make the choice as to whether the guy is worth it. But to be honest if he
hasn't made a change to stop or cut down in a year & a half for you then sadly you'd
probably find yourself going around in circles with the same issues a year & a half from
now.

Best wishes & don't blame yourself, it's not your fault.

Thanks, Bro'Freak.

Sadly, he wasn't an alcoholic when we met. He drank a little after work, but didn’t get drunk. He'd been a tea-totaller for over 20 years, but had recently started having a few drinks now and then. Over the course of our relationship, his drinking escalated, and his behavior deteriorated.

It was only later I found out he had a drinking problem in the past, and that he hadn't quit drinking out of desire, but out of necessity.

In some way, I feel responsible for him returning to alcohol. I worry that our relationship was too much emotional stress for him. He has a very sensitive nature, and is surely on the spectrum. I get the feeling that maybe our strong emotional and physical attraction threw him off, and he returned to alcohol to cope. He seemed to always put me on a pedestal and be worried I was going to leave him. Unfortunately, he set up the very scenario in which that happened. Self-fulfilling prophecy? He has a penchant for self-destruction.

He has a few personality "issues" as well, and alcohol exacerbates them. I believe he is either bipolar or has Borderline Personality Disorder.

Another stupid thing he did was smoke that K2 herb as a replacement for weed, and he had just quit that before I met him, so maybe that caused him to use alcohol to replace the K2 addiction. I'd like to think so, because I'd rather not be responsible for sending him back to drink.

I get the strong feeling that he won't be able to beat the addiction this time. His family is trying to get help for him, but I don't think he is invested. I think his mental health has deteriorated too much, and he won't have the strength or desire to beat it again. Sometimes love is not enough. This is why I bailed on him.

If I believed he could beat this thing, I would stick with him. I just don't see it happening. I got the same feeling from my first husband with his drinking some 35 years ago. I left when he was 27, and he never got better even with numerous interventions. When he was 42, he got drunk at a dinner party at his sister's, went out to his truck and shot himself. That's the ending I forsee for my ex. That, or being institionalized permanently in either an asylum or prison.

I feel bad because I wonder, if I were stronger could I at least save him from a life of loneliness and future incarceration? But, I know I couldn't cope with they daily drama involved for a lifetime. I have to leave it up to his family, even though he hates them and doesn't want to be there with them.

Now I've kind of lost where I was going with this, but I guess I needed to get it out. Sorry for the length of this reply, but thanks for the opportunity to explain myself further.
 
IMO, a person addicted to alcohol or any other substance, is already in a relationship. Not only that, they will consistently put that substance first, no matter who or what they get involved with. My ex was an alcoholic and substance abuser. I swore that I would never, ever get involved with an addicted person ever again. You will never come first with them, and you will be left behind like wreckage after a storm if you stay with them.

You did the right thing to leave this relationship behind. If you doubt your wisdom in doing so, just ask yourself if you had a daughter who was involved with a man like that what would you say to her?:sunglasses:
 
Gee this is a hard one. I think if I was in your position I would stick with my other half.
But I'm foolish in that aspect, love can cloud your judgement and make you do stupid things.

No judgement from me. I'm just curious who feels they would/could put forth the emotional effort to stay in spite of the hardship. I just didn't feel I could.

By the way, may I ask how old you are?
 
Late twenties, and while I might not go with a clean breakup I just know I'd leave him.
 
Im sorry for your loss. Both of my parents are alcoholics my dad is a recovering alcoholic and to this day my mom is a raging alcoholic. I know from dealing with my parent and other family members that you can't interact rationally with irrational people, trust me it just doesn't work. I mentioned in another thread where I during a time of being raged with depression I turned to alcohol to numb emotional pain.

I think you still love him greatly so you hate seeing what he is doing to himself(and the people around him) with this behavior. It seems what is hurting you the most is that you can't change him even as much as you want to you can't. Your ex boyfriend is the only one that change him, being powerless to that fact is what is causing al of this heartache. Does all of that make sense? I'm a 17 year man/male

You are very wise for your years! :)

I think what really hurts is seeing the potential in him, but knowing he will never achieve it. Knowing what a sweet, quiet, classy and intelligent man he can be, and watching him change into a loud, irrational, nasty and vulgar human being.

So, yes. I guess I want to change him in that way. Not into something else, but just into himself minus the evil twin that emerges when he drinks or uses any mind-altering substances.

It's sad that he has as much potential for evil as he has for good. :(

Also, it hurts to lose the one person I could share certain interests with who truly understood and appreciated them. That is very rare for me. I loved the way we could communicate by sending YouTube songs back and forth to each other. We are both very much into music and lyrics. It was magical for both of us. We were so in tune with each other (no pun intended, but it is a good one :p).

We also always reacted to things similarly, and even said the same things at the same moment way too frequently to be coincidence. It's like we were cosmic twins.

I think I'm basically railing at the gods because it was like almost winning the lottery. I almost had all the numbers but was off by only one. Except in the lottery of love, you don't get a consolation prize. It's winner take all. In fact, you lose time, money and effort in the process. You wouldn't believe how much I invested and lost.

It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders, and maybe you can avoid some of the pitfalls of life if you don't let your heart lead you too much. Compassion is important, but martyrdom is taking it too far.

Thank you for your insightful observations, Rayner. :)
 
Last edited:
IMO, a person addicted to alcohol or any other substance, is already in a relationship. Not only that, they will consistently put that substance first, no matter who or what they get involved with. My ex was an alcoholic and substance abuser. I swore that I would never, ever get involved with an addicted person ever again. You will never come first with them, and you will be left behind like wreckage after a storm if you stay with them.

You did the right thing to leave this relationship behind. If you doubt your wisdom in doing so, just ask yourself if you had a daughter who was involved with a man like that what would you say to her?:sunglasses:

I agree. He is in a relationship with alcohol and I can't compete.

I wouldn't want my child's only purpose in life to be caretaking for a broken man. It is some people's lot in life, but I wouldn't want it for my child.
 
Age-70

There are people who go from kind & considerate to uncaring & hateful with just a few drinks. If they continue to drink, at all, they are dooming themselves. If you stay with someone like that, you are doomed too. As hard as it is, you did the right thing for yourself.

Thank you, cig. That's kind of how I feel, that I would be letting him drag me down with him.
 

New Threads

Top Bottom