by Sean
(USA)
For many years my mom was a very functional alcoholic. She always had a couple beers on the go. For my parents 25th anniversary someone even made her a bouquet with a beer bottle in the middle. And on the cake, my dad was holding a shovel, and she was holding a beer. It was cute and funny.
But over the years since then, it has gotten worse. She admits that she is self-medicating with booze. It is her way of dealing with stress, family problems, any kind of conflict etc.
Try and mention it and she gets so mad. Says things like don’t cry at my funeral. Or she’ll look right at you and crack open another beer. It is so frustrating, because she doesn’t really think she has a problem–even though she says she knows she does. I know that doesn’t make any sense…I guess she just doesn’t think that it’s a big problem.
Some days she doesn’t drink.. will even go three or four without drinking, so she thinks that proves she isn’t “really” an alcoholic.
I wish I knew how to convince her she needed help, and to keep at it.
Thanks for reading…
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. I have since settled in North Carolina. I have experience working with various stages of addiction, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, stages of life concerns and relationship concerns.
I tend to use a person-centered approach which simply means that I meet you where you are and work collaboratively to help you identify and work towards accomplishing goals. I will often pull from CBT when appropriate. I do encourage use of mindfulness and meditation and practice these skills in my own life. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity and compassion.
I recognize that reaching out for help is hard and commend you for taking the first step. We have professionals available who would be happy to help you move closer to reaching your goals related to your drinking concerns. You may reach these professionals by calling 877-322-2694.