Hi, how are you? How are you doing this week? Yeah, it can be good. We can have good weeks. We can have really

strong weeks. And we can also have really difficult times, can't we? It's like a roller coaster

ride being married to someone or being in love with someone struggling with addiction.

It's really hard.

And addiction happens to really good people.

I truly, truly believe that.

I always said Mike's husband is one of the most talented human beings I've ever met.

He had it all. He was brilliant and kind

and funny and charming and good looking. I mean, the guy had it all. And I hear a lot, I meet a lot

of people struggling with addiction and they are some of the most talented human beings in the

whole wide world.

But I also believe that addiction can bring out the worst in the ones we love.

And I'm going to give you an example.

When I talk with my ex-husband, I always try to be polite and respectful

during our conversation. And if our discussion becomes heated or our past relationship gets

brought up, I always try to end our conversation very, very quickly. I've created enough distance between me

and addiction over the years to recognize when I'm being baited for an argument or fight. And most of the

time, most, not all, I don't fall for it. But there was one particular time I was having

a conversation with him many years ago, and it was concerning an important and really touchy

subject, and it required me to see it through instead of ending the conversation quickly.

And when I find myself discussing a topic with my ex-husband that requires my cooperation

and it requires my thoughtfulness while still respecting my boundaries, I really try to

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