It is. And I'm sure each person and each family fumbles their way through it differently. In my own experience, I have to say that anger and hurt really haven't been major emotions for me. It's been more that I know my alcoholic mom and prescription-pill addict friend are in tremendous pain, and I hurt for them.

From the perspective of someone who has not struggled with addiction (but loves people who have), your stories are also really helpful to the non-addicts out there. I don't know what it's like, and I can never say, "I understand what you're going through." But what I can do is listen to what addicts share about their…

PERFECT Valentine's plans.

You have a fluffy, bearded, craft-beer nerd hubby too? Aren't they the best???

+1

Apparently this nuance is missed by SO many. I am not an addict, but I deeply love two - and have lost one - and I could write a million-word post about it all. "Addiction causes negative behavior" - YES. Yes, it does. Addicts can be the most selfish, thoughtless, mean, miserable people when their addiction is active.…

And the best part of it is that you get to buy pouches! Cute nylon ones from Target, crafty ethnic ones from World Market, an old-fashioned clasp one from the thrift shop.....

Pouches. Little pouches/makeup bags/whatevs. I have a bunch of them that hold categories of stuff - makeup (duh), pens, lip balm and band-aids and lotion, pens and a little note pad and my knife - like that. Then I can just throw the pouches in whatever big bag I feel like carrying. It's great!

ALL THE THANKS for your descriptive powers here! I'm crying from laughter.

That's just so heartbreaking.

As someone who always wanted to be a parent, who is so thankful to be one, and who loves my children more than anything, I just can't understand it. I mean, I know there are lots of people who don't really love their kids, I'll just never ever be able to relate to it. It's so.....primal with me.

This is.......fucking hilarious.

Um, hello?? LOVE him.

Oh god that's hilarious! Well done.

It's really hideous. Very sad.

Clearly I am utterly old and out of touch because all I can think is that her hair looks greasy and unkempt.

Having a concept that women are fully-functioning human beings would definitely help in this situation. Unfortunately, too many conservatives lack this concept.

ALL THE YES TO THIS. ALL OF IT.

Ain't nothing wrong with chubby and balding!

A grown-up! I've raised children, I sure as heck aren't attracted to them. Give me a grown-up man every time.