Serious Issue: Advice for Dealing with Alcoholics

[mimitabby]

wow! good news!!

[Tuckervill]

That's great!

Karen

[indysteel]

This thread started before my Dad's death, then the last post was 11 days after his death.

Following advice from this group, a lot has happened:

- Several months ago, we asked Mom to seek counseling. She did.
- Counselors confirmed that we needed to stop "parenting the parent". We did. She started buying her own Scotch, wound up drunk in the hospital a couple of times (one time at a .28 blood/alcohol level), was on the verge of getting kicked out of her assisted living facility...

and then:
- one of her nurses took a personal and caring interest
- had a heart to heart with her
- got her into counseling with a different counselor
- got her to an AA meeting (despite Mom's reservations)

and now:
- she voluntarily went into a supervised detox
- three weeks ago, she "took a chip" at AA
- and hasn't had a drink in three weeks (longer than at anytime in my 45 years!)

I think that our "getting out of the way of her making her own choice" is the single biggest thing that will have ever happened to improve her longevity and quality of life.

Thanks to all who offered the tough advice.

Mr. Silver and Silver,

That's great news. I hope your mom continues to stay sober. And good for you for having the courage to step back. I'll keep all of you in my prayers.

[tulip]

That is wonderful news, and very inspiring! I'm sure it's been tough, but sounds like you are doing the right thing by letter Mom take responsibility for herself. She's probably finding rather empowering.

[invsblwmn]

Congrats for your Mom, and for you for letting her do it herself. It is so hard to stay out of someone's choices when you love them so much, but it is at times the most loving thing to do. Remember that relapse is NOT FAILURE. If your Mom takes a drink, it is an opportunity to learn, not her or your failure. I wish you all the best. Take care.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Remember that relapse is NOT FAILURE. If your Mom takes a drink, it is an opportunity to learn, not her or your failure. I wish you all the best. Take care.

Wise words. Keep them in mind.
It's the whole effort and the whole journey that counts, not just one depot stop.