[jspencer89]

Hey all, this is my first post in the group 🙂 I thought that sharing my issues may help take a slight weight off of my shoulders.

I am 30 years old and for as long as I can remember my dad has had a problem with alcohol and his mental health. When I was younger he would go through stages of not drinking for a few weeks then binging heavy over the course of a few days (repeat, repeat, repeat). This was difficult growing up and put a lot of strain on the whole family.

He retired 3 years ago and has progressively gotten worse. In November of last year, he got arrested for drinking driving on his way to a doctors appointment (to discuss his drinking problem!). I thought that this might have been the shock that he needed to try and change his ways but in fact, he has gotten worse. A couple of weeks ago we had the final straw and asked him to go and stay with his family up the country and we all needed a break. My Mum currently cares for my sick, elderly Gran and could not take the added stress any longer. Whilst with his family he did not drink and behaved, however, he returned on Monday night and was drinking again by last night. I am at the end of my tether and completely worried about how this is all affecting my Mum. We have tried councilling, medication, talking about the problem but nothing has worked. I spend the majority of my day worrying about what he is up to and what my Mum will come home to after she has finished work, this is not good for any of us and we can’t go on like this any longer.

If anyone has been through similar troubles it would be great to hear from you 🙂

I wish you all the best

James x

[icarus-trust]

Hi James,

Thanks for posting. You’re right it does help to share problems.

I can understand how your dad’s drinking has put such a strain on you and your mum and I can see how worried you are about how this is affecting your mum, as well as yourself no doubt.

I see that you have tried different things which haven’t worked for you, and I wonder whether you would like to contact us at The Icarus Trust. We are a charity that provides support for people that are going through similar things to you, dealing with a family member’s addiction.

We have specially trained, experienced people that you and your mum could be put in touch with, and may be talking to one of them would help you to decide how you go on from here.

You can contact us on help@icarustrust.org or visit the website http://www.icarustrust.org

All the best to you.

[Author]

Posts