Hi, My Name is Maryann

Hi, My Name is Maryann, Mary Ann Barrucco, Morton Books, 2001

This is the true story of one person's marriage that quickly turns into an alcoholic nightmare.

A native of Brooklyn, the author's husband, Eddie, lets his bingeing get out of control soon after they are
married. Some people are happy, sloppy drunks; Eddie is a mean drunk. Barrucco tries to be understanding, but soon she starts to push back. She gets some comfort and understanding from attending Al-Anon meetings. For a time, she leaves Eddie, and lives with her family. The sudden deaths of her father and brother only make things worse. In her attempts to deal with her husband�s alcoholism, Barrucco creates a bigger problem for herself.

A local market installs a slot machine, and the author is totally hooked. She spends hours at a time at the
machine, neglecting her part of the marriage. Next thing she knows, she has cleaned out her personal bank account. She adds Gamblers Anonymous meetings (which she still attends 14 years later) to her Al-Anon meetings.

The marriage takes a radical turn when Eddie is taken to the hospital and told that he immediately needs a
heart transplant. His constant alcohol consumption has destroyed his heart muscle. Eddie also has to totally give up alcohol, now. Even then, his life expectancy is down to weeks. Does Eddie stop drinking for good? Does he get a heart transplant?

This story is honest, heartfelt and pretty good. Anyone dealing with alcoholism, a gambling problem or waiting for an organ transplant would do very well to read this book.