Supporting those closest to addicts

[Deleted]

Hi and welcome to our board! I'm glad you posted. What you have written is an all too common story.

I think you and your H have the right approach. You cannot do anything to "make" MIL go to Al-Anon, but you are so correct that a group like that would help her (and your FIL?) immensely. As they say, this is a family disease.

I've been a member of AA for almost 7 years now. During the four years I drank alcoholically, I mistakenly thought I wasn't hurting anyone but myself. My drinking was done in secret, never public. What you'd call a pantry drinker. Even so, there are people (mostly my family) that I make living amends to every day. And I hope to be a good wife, mom, sister, friend, etc. for the rest of my life.

We alcoholics know what we've done, but we never fully understand how badly it hurts people.

Keep posting. Again, I'm glad you are here.

[flex]

Hi and welcome. What @courtneyloves said.

Have you considered going to Al-Anon yourself? It may help to answer some of your questions. And who knows...maybe your MIL will go eventually. She may need support to make that step though. I think if you 'blaze the trail' it may help her.

[btay]

I agree that even if you can't convince your MIL to go to Al-Anon, you and your H should give it a try. I have been unable to convince my mom or my brother to attend Al- Anon but I have been able to spread bits and pieces of the programs message into conversation. Welcome