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I guess I would consider myself the child of a 'borderline' alcoholic. My father was a very heavy drinker, and we also had our share of ups and downs. Fortunately neither I nor any of my siblings followed in his footsteps. We learn, we observe and we grow. There are good examples out there and there are bad examples out there. As long as we know right from wrong, we can succeed at anything. You're living proof . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 9, 2014 at 6:13 AM
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Re: dsm_tchr
Wiley, thanks! Have a great day!
posted by
dsm_tchr
on May 9, 2014 at 4:34 AM
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dsm_tchr
I am an adult alcoholic, sober 46 years, but it's simple, comes from an Irish heritage. (Like where does an Irishman go when he moves? To another Bar.That was me.LOL) I had one of my older brother's became sober about 5 years after me. I have another brother drank insanely until he died of cancer and booze mainly. My parents and the other 7 kids were social drinkers. My oldest child is rather like you, he's over 50 now and we haven't communicated for over 15 years, but he was 8 when I quit drinking. Like you he is a successful business person, with an MBA, and lives in Florida. Good for you facing the fact of your life, and moving on without anger as you do.
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 8, 2014 at 9:22 PM
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dsm_tchr
I am an adult alcoholic, sober 46 years, but it's simple, comes from an Irish heritage. (Like where does an Irishman go when he moves? To another Bar.That was me.LOL) I had one of my older brother's became sober about 5 years after me. I have another brother drank insanely until he died of cancer and booze mainly. My parents and the other 7 kids were social drinkers. My oldest child is rather like you, he's over 50 now and we haven't communicated for over 15 years, but he was 8 when I quit drinking. Like you he is a successful business person, with an MBA, and lives in Florida. Good for you facing the fact of your life, and moving on without anger as you do.
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 8, 2014 at 9:21 PM
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And our Taps is wonderful as is our Ceil.
posted by
Kabu
on May 8, 2014 at 6:23 PM
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There can never be a time when it is too late. Well done, it must have been a horrid life. Some times divorce is better for everyone, altho children never really recover from that either. Bless you for sharing friend.
posted by
Kabu
on May 8, 2014 at 6:22 PM
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Taps, again, WOW! You never cease to surprise and amaze. Hang in there.
posted by
dsm_tchr
on May 8, 2014 at 11:59 AM
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I also am the adult child of an alcoholic. Dad would go years sober and then out of nowhere fall of the wagon for a terribly long while before becoming sober again. In his senior years he needed care because of dementia, which was probably alcohol dementia and not true Alzheimer's Disease. I also am the mother of an adult alcoholic child. I love Son #1 dearly, and probably am considered an enabler, but I cannot seem to do otherwise. At age 53, he is already showing signs of alcohol dementia.
posted by
TAPS.
on May 8, 2014 at 11:30 AM
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Re: Re: Adult children abound in this world
Late beats the hell out of never.
Sooner would have been better, but it didn't happen that way. I have no doubt you got here as soon as you could.
posted by
Ciel
on May 8, 2014 at 11:04 AM
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I admire you for being able to write about this.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 8, 2014 at 9:33 AM
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It is difficult...hope this helps you!
posted by
Annicita
on May 8, 2014 at 9:29 AM
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Re: Adult children abound in this world
I feel that I am taking this step way too late in life. But I just don't see my 35 year old brain shucking off my own addictions and doing this too. I feel differently now. Maybe maturity?
posted by
dsm_tchr
on May 8, 2014 at 9:20 AM
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Re: Adult children abound in this world
Ciel, On the head you have hit it. Feels all too familiar for what was done to me as a child, for what I've done as a teacher, for what I've passed on to my own children. Thank you.
posted by
dsm_tchr
on May 8, 2014 at 9:18 AM
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Adult children abound in this world
Not all the offspring of acoholics: it applies to all those who had addicts of any kind for parents. Booze, drugs, control...
And guess what! Addiction takes the parent's attention and support away from a child, leaving that child abandoned and unprotected, unguided.
Does this begin to sound familiar?
posted by
Ciel
on May 8, 2014 at 8:56 AM
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