DEAR DEIDRE: I feel like giving up on my daughter. Her addiction to alcohol has become so damaging that I’m seriously thinking about walking away.
I am her 71-year-old father. My daughter is 40.
She started drinking when she split up with her partner over a decade ago. It got so bad that her son who was only five went to live with his grandma, my ex-wife.
He is 14 now and doesn’t want anything to do with his own mum because she has let him down so badly.
She regularly gets into trouble with the law and has even received a couple of ASBO orders.
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She regularly gets into arguments with her neighbours and when I try to help her out, I either get dragged into the dispute or she turns on me.
Her last boyfriend was arrested and sent to prison after he attacked her with a broken bottle.
Now we’re worried sick because he’s due for release and know she’s not strong enough to send him packing.
Last month I had to call the police because she turned up at my home steaming drunk.
She tells lies and says she no longer drinks but it’s not true. I have helped her for years but I am worn down.
DEIDRE SAYS: Dealing with a child who has an alcohol problem is stressful but it is vital that you take care of yourself.
Going to a support group for families such as Al Anon (www.al-anonuk.org.uk, 0800 0086 811) can help.
You can’t make your daughter stop drinking or force her to seek help and it’s not easy for someone to admit that they have a problem.
You’re right to worry about the effect on your grandson. He’s picking up a message that alcohol means more to his mum than he does.
My support pack Dealing With A Problem Drinker will help.
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