Community Chat

[Jenniferll]

This is kind of a sensitive subject so if you don't want to or can't answer - I get it.

I am struggling with a loved one who is an alcoholic. Everyone has given up on her with the exception of me and another mutual friend. Even her family has bailed on her. I know that until someone really wants to stop there isn't much you can do.

She has been to rehab, was going to AA and now she is drinking once again. I don't want to abandon her, but I also don't want to enable her. Actually I am not sure I am enabling her. She has a good job, pays her own bills, etc., so I guess I am more of an emotional enabler if anything. Her health is really taking a beating and this is something she does talk about and is apparently worried about it, but not enough to stop drinking.

I guess my question is; does anyone else have someone in their life who is an addict and if so, how do you handle it? Am I doing the right thing by sticking by her? I don't feel that an ultimatum would help. I have always prided myself on being a loving and loyal friend and I would hate for someone to bail on me if I was going through a hard time or doing something that I felt I didn't have control over (that's how she feels). That said, I also don't want to attend her funeral anytime soon - she is only 40.

Thanks for reading this and if you have any insight I would appreciate hearing it.

Jen