I actually am a licensed counselor and just want to add my two sense in (for what it is worth:). Venting and storytelling is a phase in the recovery process not to be diminished in importance and not to be compartmentalized out as simply "venting" versus "life in recovery." It is a part of "life in recovery." And recovery is not linear. I was completley blindsided by my N and myself being a professional counselor not only did not see just how destructive an N could be, I did not even recognize the signs! I stayed stuck for a looong time and when I finally did vent/tell my story, when I finally did tap into my anger, when I finally did stop defending him to so many in my life, when I finally did vent and vent and vent and vent some more....I moved on to NC and stayed there 3 months so far. I sometimes still have to vent, to be validated as cognitive dissonance is a nasty friend to me at times. Again...recovery is not linear and while I am further ahead in my recovery with greater tools at hand....the main reason I am here is because I read all of your stories, heard all of your venting, was validated by so many of you and then I said...."Oh My G-d I am not crazy and I am not the only one who has experienced this. I am not alone." To suggest that venting is not recovery is dangerous. It is very much a part of the recovery process. And believe me......if I was stuck and am now unglued...there is hope for those who are out there still "venting" in their recovery phase.

Drama is everywhere in the world and especially on the Net. Its best we hash it out and move on. I would never want this board to be a place that we cannot openly share ideas and feelings. We were shunted in our abusive relationships and this is why this board was created. So we could finally have a voice. Sometimes things get misinterpreted and lost in translation. It happens especially when you are communicating via text verses verbal conversation. So lets be mindful of this and try to not be critical of something that may be misread.

only one way to go...Forward (tm?)

You might as well have put me in the too far gone bin. lololololo's I just want to say THANK YOU to each and every one of you. I don't know how I could have survived without you all. Your support has meant everything to me. I am three weeks NC now and everyday is still a painful struggle. But I don't believe that it could have been possible with out reading your stories and getting your support and feedback. It's eye opening. I don't post much on other peoples stories and I do feel guilty for that. I just feel how much support can I really offer when I am still in the danger phase of feeling week? My therapist does not let me vent and she says that I have to start taking some accountability for my part in what has happened. While I understand that I have found much strenth in sharing my story with you all and getting your feedback in the fact that I am not crazy. Anyways, thanks to all. You have really helped me and I just hope that you know. xxA