Coffey Talk

Dealing with Drug Addiction

12:29 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Lissa Coffey / Relationship Barista

Dear Lissa,

Well after 21 years of marriage I find myself single again, my husband was using drugs for about the past ten years on and off. While he was using my life was destroyed time and time and again. I begged him to get real help but he said he could quit any time, which he did for a while. I believe he was definitely my soul mate and he always said I was his. I had unconditional love for him but he got worse and worse.

He left last year to go to his brother's in California and I decided not to talk to him or see him for at least 6 months to one year. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do but, I did it. I believe he took it that I was done with him I wasn't just done with the drugs. Then just about a month ago he called my son and said he had gotten married in Las Vegas. I was devastated but, I know now this is the end. One thing though, we were never divorced and now he has committed bigamy.

I am doing all I can do to try to move on. I attend church every week, try to talk to friends and family a lot and have even went to a singles dance but I am still not able to deal with all this. I am open to any suggestions. I have picked up divorce papers and I will be filing. I just wonder how his new wife will react that he still was married. Thank you for listening.

Dear Broken Hearted

First things first. You need to take care of yourself. You have been through quite a trauma, and it is natural to feel devastated. Drugs have no place in a marriage, they are destructive, and you did nothing wrong here. You also need to talk with an attorney. Your "husband" has muddied the waters by marrying someone before you and he are legally divorced, and you need to make sure that your interests, and those of your children, are protected. You will heal. As time goes on you'll see that your life is better off without the drama and trauma that comes with living with a drug addict.

Love, ~ Lissa


 Do you have a relationship question for Lissa?
  E-mail Coffey Talk