My husband of 7 years has depression. We have been together since 3/2000, got married 3/2002, a 2nd marriage for both of us. At this time my 2 sons from my 1st marriage are 26 and 23 and neither one ever lived with since my new marriage. I have 2 stepchildren, a 17 yr. old daughter and a 13 yr. old son. The daughter lives with us year round, and the son lives with us all summer and comes home whenever possible during the school year. My relationship with both is excellent and I think of them as my own. My H started drinking after 13 years of sobriety in 2001. It steadily worsened and I was about at my breaking point when on 12/17/07, he finally put himself into treatment. His father passed away unexpectedly on 12/4/07; which really through him into a tailspin also. He has remained sober, but it is very difficult at times. We live in a small farm community where the main source of social interaction is the bars. We have done some counseling, which has helped, me anyways, but because we are farmers we are now into the busy spring seeding time and we haven't been able to go. Every week there is "aftercare" for all people who have completed the treatment program he went through, and I also go because there is an informal support group at the same time for spouses, familly, etc. This has also been very helpful to me. It was very rocky and volatile around our home when he got home from treatment; although the last month has been much better. Partly I think because he is busy now and not spending his days in the recliner thinking doom and gloom; and partly because of places like this where you can read others experiences and realize your not the nut case your dh would like you to believe you are, and also because of the counseling I've had and the book reading I have done. I have learned alot and am trying to apply it to my life. I welcome any comments from anyone. I apologize for seeming to be not very social, but that is one area I am having trouble with is getting any time for myself. I work fulltime, and then usually help on the farm after that until 10-11 p.m. everynight, and then also try to keep up with the house also. There are times I would like to be left on a deserted island for a month straight!! Hope to be on more soon.