Quote:
Originally posted by hulk
Forgive me if I'm wrong here, but a lot of responses are saying that if their children are drinking alone and out of control, they're out of the house. So, basically, if they have a psychological problem (which is what alchoholism is) you just boot them out and forget about it? Rather than giving them love and support, as well as access to people who can help them further?
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I think you are confused as to
why a child would be out of the house.
First, I and the experts disagree that alcoholism is purely a "psychological" problem as you put it. It is a both a physical and mental addiction.
Secondly, rarely is it only "alcoholism" when it comes to teens; it is also good old fashoned teen-age rebellion (you can't tell ME what to do!).
So I would never throw a child of mine out the door if they wanted help in kicking an addiction.
BUT!
I also won't be blackmailed with the fact that it IS my child if that child INSISTS on engaging in self destructive behavior, behavior which I might end up being financially responsible for.
And finally, if you consider my thoughts too harsh, consider this: My grandmother bailed my father out of more situations that were a result of his own behavior than she should have. The result was a lifetime of alcholism and death at 53.
My ex's parents also bailed her brother out of more situations than they should have and the result was a life time of alcoholism and death at 42.
So the next time someone says that's too harsh, I just have to remember the face of my brother-in-law as he died a wreckage of a man before my eyes.