What to do..... / myLot

Canada

February 22, 2010 3:52pm CST

My mother in law is a serious alcoholic. It is coming to the point where no one wants to be around her at all. Her own adult children are having a difficult time dealing with it and it is starting to affect our children as well. She had a serious incident last week which landed her up in jail. Without going into great detail, she pretty much hit rock bottom which is where an alcoholic needs to be before they admit they even have a problem. The problem is that now she seems to think everything is now okay, swept under the carpet and she has done a complete turnaround, with the thought that her drinking is still okay. I think the only solution we have is to completely cut her off from us socially. We will no longer take her phone calls or visit with her or allow her access to her grandchildren until she agrees to stop drinking. Her mind seems to be going, when she talks she makes very little sense at all. It is horrible to watch and even worse to spend time there with her. My father in law is the other half of the problem. He protects her, covers up for her and stands in the way of anyone holding her accountable for her actions. Enough is enough, really. It's like dealing with two overgrown children. What would you do in this situation?

5 people like this

2 responses

SomeCowgirl

@SomeCowgirl (32191)

• United States

22 Feb 10

I don't blame you for cutting off ties. I would do that, because if everything else fails, maybe that won't... but be sure your completely fed up with her and your husband as well. If you can't get her help, maybe she just needs to be cut of from everyone, but that means father in law as well does it not? For if he's half the problem, he won't be half the solution!

MagicalBubbles

@MagicalBubbles (5103)

• Canada

23 Feb 10

Hello Daneg! Sorry you and your family have to go through this. I had an uncle who used to drink a lot. He had to hit rock bottom before he'd quit. We wouldnt see him when he was drunk and we finally heard he was in the hospital. They put him in a controlled coma and this is how they could get him off the booze. When he woke up, he had the choice to start drinking again or go without.....he decided to go witout. He remained sober till the end of his life. It has to come from them. Nothing the people around do or say will change their actions, only THEY can.