What Addicts Do...

I found this on an Al-Anon site and it struck home with me. I read it occasionally and remember that this is my husband talking.

My name is _____! I am an addict and this is what addicts do. You can not and will not change my behavior. You can not make me treat you better, let alone with any respect. All I care about, all I think about is my needs and how to go about fullfilling them. You are a tool to me, something to use. When I say I love you I am lying through my teeth because love is impossible for someone who is in active addiction. i wouldn't be using if I loved myself, since I don't, I cannot love you!
My feelings are so pushed down and numbered by my drugs that I could be considered a sociopath. I have no empathy for you or anyone else. It doesn't faze me that I hurt you, leave you hungry, lie to you, cheat on you and steal from you.
My behavior will not change and cannot change until I make a decision to stop drinking and then follow it up with a plan of action.
And until I make that decision, I will hurt you again and again.
Stop being surprised!
I AM AN ADDICT AND THAT'S WHAT ADDICTS DO!