I am a 23 year old alcoholic adult child of a alcoholic.
My Father died when I was 10 at the age of 48.
Basically I mostly remember him drunk, he denied he had a problem and I remember saying I would give him some of my toys if he stopped drinking. He didn’t.
I actually saw him pass out, I went to my room and watched The Cheetah Girls on Disney Channel and later on my Mom tried to wake him up, I called 911. They tried to revive him, he was dead. The cop stayed with us and played a Wheel of Fortune game set I had before the funeral home or whoever came and took the body. I asked the cop to stay.
This reminds me of another time my Mom and I came home from the State Fair and the paramedics were there with my Father sitting on the bed with a heart monitor next to him.
And then, the day before he died he took me to various toy stores, drunk, saying if he didn’t buy me something he would die.
I’m going to stop now because this is upsetting me.
I personally think my resolve is strong to not drink again because I don’t wanna become like him.
I love him still, and hope he is in heaven, I forgive him.
That’s a terrible thing for anyone to have to go through. My situation growing up was a bit different but I can relate to the challenges recovery brings with having such a strong example from a parent. Most days for me it serves as a reminder of how NOT to be and what I do not want for my life. In moments of weakness it can feel like “well fuck it, it’s in my blood to be like this.” But it’s not. It’s always a choice. And we just have to strive to make better lives for ourselves and our families (or future families). hugs
My mom was an alcoholic…though she never admitted it. She died at 68 looking forward to leaving the hospital and getting a glass of wine.
In the end I’m not sure if it was her alcoholism or diabetes that killed her but surely a drinking diabetic was not good.
I’m very much like my mother. I decided I don’t want to die like her so I’ve chosen to change every aspect of my life to ensure that doesn’t happen. Maybe I’ll die of old age, maybe I’ll die crossing the Street tomorrow but I WON’T die from full organ failure because I wouldn’t stop drinking wine.
My stepfather who was around me from age 7 thru 15 was an abusive alcoholic. I swore I’d never be like him. I kept my promise to myself to be a good husband and father, but couldn’t hold up the bargain on the alcohol piece of that equation. But here I am in recovery. I’m coming through for myself after all.
My dad is an alcoholic. He’s dying right now from mouth and throat cancer caused by (you guessed it) drinking. We haven’t had a good relationship, but it’s a really brutal way to die. I don’t want my kids to remember me the way I remember him and I don’t want them to watch die the way he is. So, day 10.
My dad was an alcoholic, he died at the age of 61 when I was 21 from cirrhosis. He was the loveliest man on the planet and I am lucky to have had a wonderful childhood. He suffered from depression, tinnitus and agoraphobia. Basically he was scared of life but enjoyed being at home safe. I do believe I learnt abnormal drinking habits which is how I have ended up with the same problem. I believe God gave me this challenge so I can understand what my dad went through and to succeed in recovery for both of us.
I just sent my dad an email to ask him about the alcoholics in our family. It would be helpful for my sobriety to know who they are/were. No one in my immediate family (except me of course!), but one or two of my grandfathers and at least one uncle and one cousin are/were. Thanks for brinting this up @Sophie23. Happy sober day today!
Tbh I am not sure what killed mt Dad exactly, he has nemerious health issues, but the drinking made them worse so I just say he died of Alcoholism bc that’s basically what it is…
My mum just turned 80 she has been a functioning alcoholic for approx 40 years… unbelievably she still drinks a litre and half of wine every night. It’s been a long haul forgiving her. I will not be like her anymore I’m 12 days sober
I remember there was always alcohol in the house growing up. My mom and i would drink rum and coke together when I was 12. She died 11 years ago at the of 48. When she died we found bottles of alcohol hidden all over the house. My father drank as well but about a month ago he joined me in sobriety. Hes been sober since Decmber 1st…im on day 149. Super proud of us both…i think mom would be too.
