The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Thanks, everyone for all your responses, I finally had the nerve to have a talk with Dad, and I think it went well. I'm learning very slowly to not hold things in anymore because it just eats you up inside. He is an addict, but he isn't abusive or he doen't blame me for his drinking. We have had long talks about his past and the things that have happened to him. He doesn't realize that drinking only made them worse. His daughter (27) is a herion addict in jail on DUI and pot charges. His 19 year old son is drinking and smoking pot, and doing things that are going to land him in jail also. ( their mother was killed by a drunk driver about 2 1/2 years ago) Both his parents are both A's. The list goes on and on. He is hanging on to the only thing he feels he hasn't lost and the only thing he has control over anymore, his 8 year old son. It's only been three months they have been here, and I knew that things would not be easy. He said if he lost his son, life would be over for him. His son's mother is in jail for drugs, robbery and should get out soon, he has only seen her twice and she writes him quite a bit. He has basically had only me as a mother figure for about 4 years off and on. he is a very smart, but sensitive little boy. Does good in school. Dad can't work becasue of the surgery he needs, and I don't know when that is going to happen because it is going to cost alot. He has been selling things that he has, to provide money for us. Soon that will run out. He does things around the house when I go to work. In some aspects he seems better. But the drinking still continues. Some days are better than others. He is like me in ways, even though he is an alchlolic, he is also codependent. he was so busy taking care of everyone else that now that he needs taking care of there is only me to help him. And I don't know if I can do it. I told him years ago, but he couldn'tsee it then. I'm just taking one day at a time, no more. Thanks guys, because if I can't talk to someone about all these things I would surley go crazy. I'm am trying to firgure out how I can get to meetings and soon!!!
I wish you the best of luck in finding a meeting that you can go to. You need to take care of you or you won't be any good for anybody else! Hang in there and the next right step will come along.
