The Just Thought I'd Share Thread

[louielouie2000]

Originally Posted by Sleepless-Child

I hesitated a looong time before posting this.
Ok, so both of my parents are alcoholics. I know this is random, and maybe a bit inappropiate, but i just reached that point in my life, where i feel like i need to talk about it. I never do. Like my mom would say, it's some kind of a "big family secret" (she obviously says that because, if someone knows, her social life would be destroyed...).
They've always been really nice to me, and there's always been a strong bound between us, but i can't handle it anymore. I'm starting to be more and more agressive, and they don't get it, cause once again, they really are good parents. But i can't watch them killing themselves in front of me, and i can't listen to them saying that this is a normal situation. I know they are unhappy, if they're drinking, and i don't know what to do about it. My sister and i are necessarily responsible for it, cause they're working so hard for us, and i know that might be one reason of the fact that they're so unhappy. Probably the main reason, actually.
I don't know what to do, and my mom is telling me that i'll never change anything. I'm so scared for their health, and for the future.

I'm really sorry to talk about it here, but i feel like The Ledge is one little place, out of the society i live in, where i won't be judged. So, that's it.

I grew up with 3 addict parents myself... my Mother, Father, and Stepfather. You and your Sister did NOT make your parents alcoholics. Addiction is a disease, it's something that's inherited... not something brought on by anything situational (such as having children). What I would suggest to you is to go find an "Al Anon" group near you. This is a support group for the loved ones of alcoholics:

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

You need to talk about these feelings you have. I bottled mine up my entire life, and isolated myself from people. I probably still keep people pushed away because of the stuff I witnessed my entire childhood from having addict parents. You are always welcome to vent to us Ledgies, but what you really need to do is find someone professional to talk to. Be it a therapist/psychologist/psychiatrist, or by simply attending Al Anon meetings. You don't want your parents behavior to haunt you for the rest of your life, trust.