My parents may be alcoholics, ADVICE?!
My parents may be alcoholics, ADVICE?
For the longest time, there has been much verbal abuse from my over-worked, over-stressed, Mormon father. This abuse has turned physical a few times, but thankfully toward me only, not my sisters. My entire family is Mormon and part of our beliefs are that alcohol is to be avoided, but after my sister found an empty bottle of vodka in one of our dad's drawers, she and I raided his closet. We came up with fair sized bottles of rum, vodka, whisky and tequilla, which all I know to be pretty high proofs. I now think that most of his rage is alcohol related. Now I worry that they (my dad AND POSSIBLY my mom) go out drinking every so often, and they drive. I'm worried about thier safety, but more importantly, the safety of my sisters. I've already gone to my bishop about it and he says he'll talk with my father, but I'm thinking of confronting my mother on the matter. If anyone has any advice or experience with the matter, PLEASE HELP!!!
Answers:
It sounds to me like you're already on the way to doing something to help your parents. Alcohol, while taken in small amounts, doesn't usually harm anyone, excessive amounts can lead to dangerous situations.
If your father is usually an easy going, laid back kind of guy, the alcohol definitely brings out the monster lurking inside him. Violence, whether alcohol induced or not, is very wrong. Be extremely careful around him.
You may need to write down your concerns before confronting your mother. List the things that really bother you about the alcohol you found. She may not be aware that you and your sister even suspect they drink, or that you found the bottles. Once she knows, she may not be happy with you for "snooping into something that isn't your business", but it *is* your business.
Above all, don't lecture her. She knows that alcohol is frowned on by your church. Just let her know you love her and are scared for her well-being.
Joining the groups mentioned prior to my posting, are an excellent idea. They can give you a lot of information on alcoholism, and how to help someone who displays the symptoms of it.
Good luck and God speed. :o)