#USA #Bakersfield #Ruth Ann Boaz #Wives Over Addiction #alcoholism

journey of Courage: Ruth Ann Boaz

Ruth Ann Boaz, a woman marked by resilience, has faced the staggering challenges of living with alcoholism both as the daughter of an alcoholic mother and as the wife of two alcoholic husbands. Her new book, Wives Over Addiction: How to Navigate Through the Chaos Caused by Addiction, is not just a memoir but a profound resource for women striving to regain their sanity and self-worth while navigating the turbulent waters of addiction within their families.

In her candid recounting, Boaz emphasizes that alcoholism, affecting about 16.4 million men in the United States alone, is a disease that cannot be controlled by the loved ones trying to help. Instead, she advocates for a paradigm shift in perspective: true healing begins not with changing the husband, but with the wives changing their own approach and mindset.

The emotional turmoil of living with an alcoholic is heavy, often filled with isolation, fear, and heartbreak. Boaz shares her realization that many women tend to shield their husbands’ behavior from others, pulling away from social interactions and battling feelings of shame. This cycle deepens as they endure repeated relapses, facing ongoing conflicts while desperately trying to prevent their husbands from drinking. Yet as Boaz notes, the core of the struggle lies in their belief that the addiction reflects a failure of love. "It’s not that simple," she explains. "Alcoholism is not a failure of love; it’s a progressive disease that stems from complex neurological and social factors."

Through her book, Boaz provides critical insights into breaking this cycle of pain. She encourages women to recognize their own patterns—often, they develop an obsessive need to control situations, hoping to manage the chaos that addiction brings into their lives. Drawing parallels to 12-step programs, she urges them to accept that they did not cause their husband’s addiction, nor can they cure it.

Practical Tools for Change

In her guide, Boaz outlines practical strategies for women to regain their power. Key to this process is stopping the tracking of husbands’ drinking behaviors, letting go of past grievances during conflicts, and avoiding seeking sympathy from friends and family in ways that ultimately erode respect. Instead, she fosters an environment of growth through patience, prayer, and grace.

She insists that while control might feel comforting, it usually leads to resentment, pushing alcoholics further into their addictions. "I cannot promise that your husband will stop drinking," Boaz cautions. "However, you can cultivate peace and spiritual growth no matter what choices your husband makes. By surrendering the desire to control, changing your thought processes, practicing forgiveness, and relying on God for strength, healing is possible even amidst ongoing struggles."

About Ruth Ann Boaz

Navigating through years of hardship, Ruth Ann eventually chose to end her first marriage after 25 years, repeating her experiences in subsequent relationships. Now, she dedicates her life to helping Christian wives of alcoholics – women who seek to save their marriages while finding healing for themselves.

Available at WestBow Press, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble, Wives Over Addiction stands as a beacon of hope for many. As we delve into Ruth Ann Boaz’s journey, we uncover authentic life lessons that illuminate the path toward healing, emphasizing that while we cannot control addiction in others, we have the ability to transform our responses and find peace within ourselves.

For more about her life and work, you can explore Ruth Ann's website at wivesoveraddiction.com or find her on Facebook. Boaz’s work is a reminder that amidst struggles, compassion and self-care can lead to profound healing.