[blueskies]

Hello

I understand (and feel) every word that you have written as I am in exactly the same situation with my dad. He has been drinking for as long as I can remember. Red wine is also his poison of choice. Minimum two bottles a day. Sometimes he can hold it together but any slight setback in life and he downward spirals. This has been really bad now for over 20 years and I have tried everything but he won’t get help despite, at times, calling and pleading with me and I rush through but then he backtracks and starts to lie that he is eating and he is fine etc etc.

Lockdown has hit him really hard and he has basically become a recluse. As you did, I suggested meeting him on 22 July for a drink in a nice bar just to get him out of the house as I hadn’t seen him since March. He tried to back out at the last minute but I insisted as I was already on the train. He had aged terribly and clearly wasn’t taking care of himself. I tried to make conversation but then he just started crying and couldn’t stop. He said that this is not a life, it is an existence and he can’t see a future. I asked him to contact his gp but I know he won’t.

It is so painful watching someone basically drink themselves to death, a slow painful death, and be unable to do anything if they won’t agree to get help. I am sad and also so angry.

I’m so sorry that I can’t offer advice but just wanted to let you know that every word you wrote resonnated with me and I am sending you much love.

[Author]

Posts