Here's what's been on my mind for a few days:

What's a good time to let go?

When do you know that you're in over your head?

There is such a thing as caring too much. There are people who suck your emotions and sacrifices out of you, enough to wipe you clean. Enough to drag you down with them. Enough for you to lose control of your life and not even notice it.

I've had loved ones with severe problems. People with substance abuse issues. Anyone who's been on either side of that kind of a relationship will tell you that there is almost nothing you can do for someone who's using and abusing unless they're ready to face the truth.

Talking doesn't do any good. It might appear as if you're getting through to someone, and at times the person might even start understanding what you mean, but in the end, the power lies within him. And only him. (or her)

There is a fine line between being there for support and giving up your life for someone.

Let's take the following scenario. Let's assume you're female (Cause I am and it's a pain in the ass to have to write she or he each time.) You've been with your boyfriend Alex for two years. You like him and you've even thought of making long-term plans at times. In the last few weeks, Alex has started hanging out with his work friends and drinking. I don't mean every now and then, but each evening. He always calls and says he won't be home till late. You've tried talking to him a few times, but he gives you good excuses. He says that he needs to go out so that he can fit in at his job.

You can put up with it for a few weeks but after a month or two? You'll probably eventually decide that it's simply not going to work out. Hopefully, you'll have talked to him about this and tried to resolve it before you packed up and left. Either way, no one will blame you for leaving him. You might be sad, but you won't feel like you deserted him.

Now, imagine the same scenario, but Alex is an abuser. He is hooked on alcohol, drugs, he joined a movement, or he's gotten fired. In short, his world has twirled out of control and he's dragging you down with him. He's depressed, he yells at you, he pushes you away. You know that he's not doing it purposefully, he's in pain. He's not thinking straight. How can you leave him now? When he loves you so much and he's fallen so low. What an awful creature must you be to even consider leaving.

That's the thin line. There will never really be a good time to leave.

So you make a decision. Do you say, I'll stay with him and risk going down the black hole or do you walk away and be the bitch? I'd assume the answer might depend on the nature of your relationship. If you and Alex are married you might have a different answer than if you've been dating a while but have no official attachments. Then again, sometimes love is the tightest bond.

Either way, it's a tough decision and there are no right answers.

Anyone who says that there are hasn't really been there.

Previously? Four Years.