|
My mom is an alcoholic and now I'm 21
My mom was an active alcoholic for years and it ruined a lot of my childhood - especially high school. It was hard to watch and difficult to deal with an addict. The good news is, she's been sober for 4 years.
I'm really proud of her and am so happy, but now I'm 21. I want to have a drink now and then or just have some alcoholic beverage laying around for if I feel like drinking, but I'm so terrified to keep alcohol in the house.
How do I continue the occasional drink at 21 without making her feel bad or go down the wrong path again?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
It may be best to not have it in the house at all. Also (I assume your her biological daughter and not adopted), alcoholism is heredity. I'm sure you know that already. Please make sure you watch out for yourself and that you don't notice a similar path of your own. I say this because I had a major alcohol and drug problem. I have been completely sober though for just over eighteen and a half years now
]
In my opinion you shouldn't bring alcohol into the house.
If you want to drink occasionally have a drink when you are out with friends.
Try not to make it a big deal in your mind. We all enjoy having a drink here and there but we don't need it.
It's a small sacrifice you will make until you get your own place. 4 yrs sober is great!!! but from what I've seen Alcoholics can relapse even if they have been sober longer than 4yrs :(
I wouldn't risk it it's not worth it.
]
If you are living at home in mom’s house then this is something you need to discuss with her and see how she feels about having the temptation in her house. If mom is living in your house with you a discussion with her to tell her your bringing alcohol into you house and that it will be kept under lock and key if it needs to be and maybe it should be is still needed.
Hopefully mom is taking part in AA and working the 12 step program. If so bringing alcohol into her environment after 4 years of sobriety may not be the problem you think it is. My brother in-law is 25 years sober, a member of AA who still goes to meeting weekly.
My wife and I go out with him and my sister often for dinner. We all have drinks except him which does not bother him. There have been times when I will order a particular brand of something and he will say; "no you don't want that, trust me this brand is better." He hasn't had a drink in 25 years but he still knows which brands are better than another though he has no desire to drink.
Another think about my brother in-law is he is a closet Gourmet Chef. He needs to keep wines and certain alcoholic beverages in the house to make the fantastic meals he cooks. The alcohol burns off when you cook. How he is able to do this and never take even a swig is well beyond my will power.
I have told you all this for recovering alcoholics, especially those who are members of AA are stronger than you think. Talk to mom, if it is going to be a problem for her; then keeping anything you bring in under lock and key is the best thing to do. If you want beer then buy a small refrigerator with a lock on it for your room for the beer. Buy a small office cabinet for your alcoholic beverages with a lock. You keep the keys with you. Trust me you will know quite easily if anyone tries to get at you beverages.
]
Until you move out and have your own place, then in concern for Mom so as there's no temptation around, you do not bring alcohol into the house, nor store it there and you don't drink in front of her. If she attends Alcoholics Anonymous, there are great classes for family to attend as well to help support and understand the recovering alcoholic. They would tell you the same thing I am saying.
So your options for a drink is going out to a restaurant or bar with friends as a group and rotate who is designated driver or drink at a girlfriends place and plan to not drive.
]
More Questions: |