Hello friends, My alcoholic mother left my older brother and I with our workaholic dad when I was 14 to raise. She only moved an hour away but she didn't want any contact with us. My brother started drinking after our mother left and now has liver disease at 40 years of age from his alcohol abuse. I tried for years to talk to my alcoholic mother with no success. She said she wishes she never had kids. My alcoholic brother is estranged from me because he is violent and abusive when drinking. My dad married a woman that doesn't like me so I have no family at all. I am exhausted from trying to have relationships with my family that could care less about me. I appreciate all feedback and advice. Am I better off being my own island away from my sick family if origin?

Big hugs Kelly.. Welcome and glad you are here. My suggestion is start meetings.. Work the steps and then you can decide what's right for you. Keep coming back. Hugs s :)

((Kelly)) you are not alone Please serach out alanon or ACOA face to face meetings and attend The alanon groups are referred to alanon family groups and it is here you will connect in a healthy manner with peope who understand as few others can . You will be provided with constructive tools to live by an a "True Family "who cares. Please keep coming back

(((Kelly))) - I agree with those above me - put you first and focus on some recovery! The answers will come and you'll be able to make your life as you want/need for you. I was estranged from my family for 3+ years at one point in my life. No contact with nobody - and I have a large family. Time does have a way of changing things up - not sure about the 'heals all wounds' but things are different/better for me today.

When I learned how to love me and take care of me, it helped me set boundaries that worked and were healthy with others in my life. Keep coming back - you are not alone!

Thank you friends. I am not new to alanon. I have not been to face to face meetings in a few years now. I attended face to face meetings for about 12 years then I stopped. I think I need to go back and make face to face meetings a priority again for my mental health.

Good to know Kellygirl! My experience is when I stayed aligned with my recovery, I am better able to throw what comes my way! Keep coming back here too - the disease is powerful and relationships are hard without it so the two together certainly brings about many opportunities to practice our program!