If you grew up, or are growing up in an alcoholic family...?
818208
In too many ways to go into here, but briefly .. kids with unhappy childhoods put up a shell, then later the shell becomes a wall. Kids also assume that their alcoholic family is the only unhappy family there is, suffering because they don't know otheer families in other houses are unhappy too. Read "Adult Children of Alcoholics" for more details -- I cried when I recognized the syndrome in my life. Very good luck to you.
269553
depends on your parents and your relationship with them
369400
Many years ago, I went to my uncles house after drinking with my cousins, My cousins went to their room and I stayed outside to finish my cigarette. When I entered the house, their household helper thought I was very drunk and told me that I was going the wrong way and pointed to her room and told me to sleep inside her room. I prented to be drunk and mumbled some words and continued walking to my cousins room and locked the door.
157862
Alcoholism is a genetically predisposed illness. I would suggest that if you have a parent who is an alcoholic...stay away from alcohol!!!
931558
I have one here. My father had an affair with his secretary and even picked her up to and fro from work in his car..he even asked me to call her mum..i declined of course. But I still claimed that I have a very happy family in front of my classmates..especially when my mother is crying practically every night and on one saturday i remembered i heard the sound of glass smashing from the kitchen. When I came out,my father disappeared and my mother was lying on the floor with fresh blood oozing out from her hand...they divorced soon afterthat. My mother refused to give me to father and I was kept away from him since then. I had a dark period for 3 years and I became anti-social,until 2 years ago when suddenly I started to open up gradually...you know what? I once stayed indoors for a consecutive 2 months.
98430
you have a hole in you that you are trying to fill. Did you grow up with out one of your parents ?
198935
I'm very sorry to hear about your situation.  You have my complete sympathy.  No one your age deserves to go through what you are enduring.\nYou and your mother should get out NOW, and get help from your family and friends, or groups like Al-Anon or Ala-Teen, before this tears your life apart.  Make up your mind HERE AND NOW to be better than your father; don't let his problems control your life.  You are obviously a smart, squared-away young person capable of making your own path in life.  You and your mother will have to rely on each other for emotional support for a while.  But you will discover, the longer you both have been away from your father, that your strength and ability to deal with life will grow every day.  Remember - you have all of us out here on your side too!\nI too have been there, with an alcoholic father - just had to tough it out until I was able to leave.  DON'T DESPAIR, that is the sure path to ruin!  I'm pulling for ya!
462352
I held my entire family together when I was six years old. My mother was an alcoholic and was very irresponsible. I had to look after my sister, who was screaming when I would wake up and my mother would not be there. I searched at all the bars in town. I also had to try to beat up one of her boyfriends when he was beating the crap out of her. He threw me into a wall, but I kept trying to save her. I held her emotionally together by comforting her when she cried. Talk about tough... for a six year old!\n\nI would later end up in foster care and then adopted. I haven't seen her since. But I guess that's the nicest thing I've done, out of the many, many nice things I have done.\n\nHah, Beat that!!
221435
You can be born with the gene of being an addict...it is hereditary. YOu may not necessarily become an alcholic, but may be a drug addict, food addict, etc.
409848
My dad and I had a similar situation.  I moved in with him at 15 and we partied all the time.  But when I got older, I couldn't take the aftermath of a good bender. I didn't want to be like that drunk old man that didn't have a license, and broke his leg riding home from a bar on a bicycle.  I had a hard time breaking away, he was my dad and we'd be through hell together.  But I had to realize that he had at least started most of the trouble in the beginning.  And that I didn't want him to use me to validate his addictions.  Like saying "that's how we bond".  Usually I just resented him more after we partied.  I haven't seen my dad in 5 years.  I miss him, and I love him, but he's lost everything.  They have to want to quit like we did.  Sometimes, like once a year, I call him.  Make sure he's still alive and doing ok.  But from my experience, they only get worse.  Last time I called my dad had lost the house, his job, living with 4 other people in a house that should be condemned.  He's 51 and having seizures when he goes sober for hours.  I love him soooo much, but I can't bring that beer to him, roll his j, drive him around or keep his dealers off his butt anymore.  Just pray alot, think about the good times and move far enough away that she can't find you until you're independent enough to say no to her.
1044663
Look girl..I can understand what you're going through because my parents are exactly the same. The only difference is that they are still together....and they sometimes have their moments when they don't fight ..for a while. I grew up with parents that don't get along...I love my dad and I love my mom too, but they don't get along and mostly is because of my dad..who is "machista", he's thinks too "Manly". I didn't only put up with the fights, but I also got to see domestic violence. I was about 7 when I saw my dad hit my mom, he was drunk and got angry at my mom for something really stupid. Growing up in a family when parents don't get along was really tough on me too. I'm traumatized by it...I can't stand a drunk man..I get mad, and the sight of alcohol too. It has been tough on me..but the only thing you can do in this case is just talk to your parents and tell them how you feel about them fighting and how it's affecting you. Get help for yourself...talking always helps...but mainly understand that there's not much you can do. It's up to them to decide if they're going to life their lives fighting like cat and mouse. Just let them be..and don't too much...I know it's hard and it hurts you but just accept it and don't let if affect you. Again speak to them,..if you can't then get for yourself and as much as you can do ...to enjoy life without letting their problems affect your happiness.... and never blame yourself for anything!!! Live happy and enjoy life...good luck!!!!
849465
There are several people in my life with drinking problems, my Grandpa  is the only success story I know of. They say that there is never a cured alcoholic, they are recovering for the rest of their lives. Alcoholism is a disease, and many people take it lightly because drinking is socially accepted. The way my Gpa stopped was by getting really, really drunk beyond the point of sickness, and he says his secret to 'recovery' was just remembering the feeling of that night. He immediately stopped drinking, and started chewing gum incessedly. He did attend AA mtgs and said that suprisingly, they really did help. He also said that the fact that my Gma attended the alinon mtgs helped alot bc he didn't feel as if he was all alone. You have to remain patient and not stress out the alcoholic to the point that they would want to drink. Remove all alcohol from the house, even if its a wine cooler. Living with an alcoholic is a very difficult thing. I hope this brings some insight. Good Luck
332329
it is very difficult to deal with alcholism in the family.\n\na very good advice will be one from Wayne Mehringer, a certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor and program director of the assessment and referral office for IMPACT Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services in Milwaukee.\n\nMehringer suggests an intervention first. it is best to ask for the help of professionals or coaches (look under "Alcoholism Information & Treatment Centers" in the Yellow Pages or consult a physician):\n\n1. PLAN THE MEETING. Usually this takes two or three hours with the coach, done in two or three sessions. You'll talk very specifically about what you plan to do in the meeting - who will be there, who will serve as the leader, when and where the meeting will take place. You'll also write statements to share at the intervention meeting that detail your experiences with the person's drinking, and "get rid of anything in the way the drinker could use as an excuse not to listen to you," Mehringer says.\n\nFor example, you might call your mother's boss and ask that Fred be excused from work for a few days to handle an important family matter. Check with her insurance company to see what types of treatments are covered. Set up an alcohol assessment appointment. Tie up all the loose ends in advance so your mother has no chance to lean on an excuse and avoid hearing your message.\n\n2. PRACTICE. "The alcoholic is good at throwing dodges," says Mehringer. So get ready for them. Be prepared for every scenario and emotion, and role-play your way through it a few times. Remember that the alcoholic's barrier of denial probably will be hard at work during the meeting. "The point is to break down that barrier. The alcoholic is good at making you the bad guy," Mehringer says. Practice so you're familiar with that challenging role and so that you can stay on message.\n\n3. CONDUCT THE MEETING. You've planned and practiced, and now comes the real thing. "Remember, you're doing this out of love," Mehringer says. No matter how uncomfortable or hard it gets, present the situation to the person and offer the alternatives. "Sometimes it's super-painful, strict stuff, but you're saving his life," he says.\n\n4. FOLLOW THROUGH. If you said you would no longer pay rent for the person if she continued to drink, don't pay the rent if she continues to drink. If she chose assessment, go with her if she wants. Your mother chooses the path. You simply do what you said you would. By following through, you give meaning to the intervention.\n\nThen you take it from there, realizing you've rearranged the puzzle pieces simply by confronting the person you love and helping her see a new reality. It's hard. It's scary. And it requires faith and courage. "Recovery is a process. Get the process started and keep it going," says Mehringer. "Then you're all right."
457749
Hello, my name is Alex and I'm an alcoholic. Wait. Wrong meeting. Lets start over.\n\nHello, my name is Alex and I'm a Yahoo Answers-aholic.
1143953
That person could definitely be an alcoholic.  One of the most likely predictors of alcoholism is a family history of alcoholism.  And anyone who needs to drink daily is an alcoholic, whether they are able to admit it or not. Emotional unavailability is one of the characteristics of alcoholism.  \n\nHere are some links that may help you.
118303
My family comes from Ireland but I was raised in Brooklyn NY.  I grew up having the greatest repect for hard honest work and  good education.  I was raised to respect my elders and even though I'm a woman, to give up my seat on the bus for pregnant ladies.  I was born with old world values and new world ambition.  I wouldn't have it any other way.
627155
I lost my father when i was 12. He was an abusive alcoholic. and i seen him do to much as a child that i must say with him gone i don't feel like i have to look over my shoulder all the time. he was my father and i will always love him but if he didnt go he would have killed my family.