I did not see this show when it aired before, I just caught today's airing.
I am a wife of a recovering alcoholic, and I have attended Alanon for many years. I want to thank Dr. Phil for his handling of this show. I read some of the previous posts in the archives about it and I was shocked at the simple minded responses of some of the viewers. Alcoholism is cunning, baffling and powerful. If it could have been fixed and cured, it would have been- as many intelligent and motivated people have tried over the years and have failed. You can't "just leave", and you can't "just quit". It takes a lot of work in accepting your present place, how you got there and making healthy choices about the future to improve the situation. That applies to the drinker and the spouse.
I like to compare the family experience in alcoholism to a frog in a pot of water. If you tossed him into boiling water he'd jump right out and say "no way, I'm not staying in there". If you put him in lukewarm water, and slowly turn the heat up, he'll accept the slowing changing conditions and be amazed to find himself boiling when that point comes.
I applaud Dr. Phil because this show is not just about the couple shown, but it reaches out to many, many people across the airwaves who still suffer. That couple could have been my husband and I had I not been in counselling to deal with my anger and to be appropriately supportive when he did finally seek to change. Alcoholism thrives in secrecy in isolation - and I thank Dr. Phil for putting it on tv where it can break through to someone who might also need his message.
Dawn in PA
