1. Accept the fact that it is an abusive and unhealthy relationship. You have control to stop the cycle. You may begin to experience anxiety, depression, and worry, but that is better than the abuse. 2. Search the home for any weapons (i.e. guns and knives) and remove them when the abusive partner is not in the home.

3. Plan, calculate, and execute your departure from the abusive space.

4. Don’t go to the first place he/she will look. You may have to spend a few weeks or months in a hide-a-way shelter to insure your safety.

5. Save up emergency funds for a rainy day. It is sure to come.

6. Check out schools in the new area, so that there will not be a break in your children’s education.

7. Go and set-up your own bank accounts, at a different bank, independent of your lover/spouse.

8. Speak with a spiritual counselor if you need the added support. A local psychiatrist or therapist may be needed, also.

9. Let him/her go and don’t look back. If you do, you will turn to salt. Fight the urge to stay there and continue being abused. After abuse, comes depression, and then comes suicide.

10. Be ready to accept the emotional pain and seek-out professional help if things become unbearable.

11. Do not answer his/her calls.

12. Close the chapter immediately. Time heals all wounds. Believe this and live by this mantra.

Now that you have the 12 steps, tell me why you are still just sitting there? Leave me some comments.

What’s Your Current Mental Status?… Click on the link below and take Dr.O’s Mental Evaluation Screening to assess your current mental status:
http://www.drowensmd.com/index.php?option=com_php&Itemid=7