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DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman THEDUPLEX GlennMcCoy ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband's drinking has gotten out of hand. Recently, I discov- ered that he has been leaving the house after I go to bed to purchase more alcohol (I buy a 12- pack of beer a day for us to split, but he is purchas- ing hard liquor.) I was raised by an alcoholic, and I know what the signs are. Last week, he snuck out twice. We went out to dinner, and he had already been drinking beer all day. He had three mixed drinks. Before we left he asked to have a couple of shots of tequila. The waitress asked who was driving. I asked her not to serve him. We fought about it when we got home, and in an effort to express my concern for his health, I gave him the choice: me or the bottle. He proceeded to get up, go to the kitchen and open a beer. The fight ended with me in tears, begging him to get help and him laughing at me. He stole my debit card and used it to buy alcohol the next day. I confronted him, and it turned into a fight. Now I am a "nag," when I used to be the "cool wife." He says he's wanted to die since he was 10 years old. Last night he said, "Happy anniversary ... I'm leaving you." He says he doesn't want to be a financial drain on me. He hasn't worked for the last five years, due to back problems. Amy, am I being a "nag" for worrying about his drinking? Should I just let him do what he wants until he gets this out of his system? Do I try to have him committed to rehab? I love him, but I can't watch him do this to himself. I am now hiding my d ebit ca rd. —Can'tWatch Anymore DEAR CAN'T WATCH »Your husband is basically com- mitting a slow and pain- ful suicide. He is addicted to alcohol, and please understand that he might not "get this out of his system." This heartbreak- ing hurtle might only end with the worst outcome. Because you grew up in the household of an alcoholic, you are a compassionate "fixer." As much as you know about the ravages of alcoholism, your "nagging" is your desperate attempt to con- trol something, which is not at all in your control. Get yourself to an Al- anon meeting (al-anon. org), and attend a meet- ing every day after work. Doing this should help you come to terms with your powerlessness over his addiction. You should also look at your own alcohol consumption. Unfortunately, your husband seems to be racing toward a steep cliff. Your message to him should be, "I won't watch you kill yourself." DEAR READERS » Some- times people who dispense advice run out of answers. If you've ever been curious about the life behind my advice, read my new book, "Strangers Tend to Tell Me Things: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Coming Home" (2017, Hachette). Wife is worried about her husband's excessive drinking You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson. com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Aries(March21-April19)— Put in the time and do your due diligence when it comes to pro- ductivity and living up to your promises. Avoid temptation. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Your insight into opportunities, financial gains and contractual negotiations will help you come out on top. Deal with money matters quickly. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Rethink matters that pertain to how or with whom you live before you move forward. An emotional incident will leave you feeling uncertain. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Expand your friendships and interests. Attend an exhibit, set up dinner plans or make a point to learn something new. Show enthusiasm. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — You'll find it difficult to say no to someone offering you a good time. Consider if the experience is worth the consequences of wasted money or overindul- gence of a loved one. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Share your feelings. Discuss your goals and take care of the needs of youngsters or seniors in your life. A good deed will be rewarding in a small but mean- ingful way. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Get involved in home improve- ments. If you don't speak up, you cannot complain if you don't like the way things unfold. Be willing to do whatever you can to cut your costs. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Take work home or start a home-based business. Your determination and hard work will not be in vain, as long as you avoid the temptation of expand- ing too fast. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Share your plans with anyone who will be affected by the decisions you make. Listen to people's concerns and make sure your ideas include the people you care about most. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — A financial gain is heading your way. Proceed with caution. Someone will be eager to take advantage of you and your good fortune. Silence is golden. Don't divulge any profits you make. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Someone will come to your rescue. Ask for help and offer incentives to ensure you get things done properly. A part- nership will help you relinquish some of your responsibilities. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Step up and take charge. Believe in your skills, talent and experience to help you overcome any obstacle you face. Trust your intuition and forge ahead. Horoscope By Eugenia Last FRIDAY, APRIL 7 | YOURDAILYBREAK | REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 6 B