I feel reall bad for a girl I know. She is more of an aquaintance that I know through work, but she is in a constant struggle to overcome an alcohol addiction. The problem is that her entire family drinks, thinks nothing of it, and thinks she is perfectly problem free. However, she KNOWS that she is an alcoholic. Her family also thinks that turning to outside help is weak and cowardly, so she is kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Getting involved in a church based AA program would probably be a better choice, I mean how can you call someone weak for attending church?

If you know any former alcoholic try having them talk to her. Its always ahrd to reach out for help but when you do, it makes it much easier to quit. I'm sure her family doesn't want her to be an alcoholic and even if theink shes "weak and cowardly" for reaching out for help, wouldn't they admire her once shes sober?

Thats stupid if they think she's weak for reaching for outside help. I think maybe if she joins a church and starts getting involved in that, and having just one person help her through it someone she can totally trust and count on. She doesn't have to tell her parents she reached out for help, its her life she's living not her parents, she should make the better out of herself.

I agree.  One of my friends is in a similar situation, her whole family is on drugs and she seems to be the only person making good decisions.  And now that she's doing good, her whole family is nonsupportive and it's like they want to see her fall on her face.  But all of her friends have been really supportive so I'm really happy that she's doing good despite of everything.  She's been reaching out to her church and that's helped so so much.

ShockColla said: I agree.  One of my friends is in a similar situation, her whole family is on drugs and she seems to be the only person making good decisions.  And now that she's doing good, her whole family is nonsupportive and it's like they want to see her fall on her face.  But all of her friends have been really supportive so I'm really happy that she's doing good despite of everything.  She's been reaching out to her church and that's helped so so much.

I know a few families who seem bothered when their children or relatives are making something out of their lives. Its like they just want them to stay as screw ups just like themselves. I personally think that seeing a family member exceed should be motivation for the ones that are sinking, they should call out to them for help and inspiration.

Yes, that's not always the case though.  She went up there for mother's day and she walked in her house to suprise them.  The whole family was in a huge fight and throwing things, it was really bad.  I guess her moms boyfriend refuses to get a job and my friend's sister kept asking her for money.  She was crying when she came home because she regretted going to see them.  I told her she should just stay away from them and let them sort things out, it's best to not get involved when things are already so hectic.  She just got a second job for the summer and she's doing so good, I'm proud of her.  I think eventually everyone will see that in fact she is doing well and doesn't need them, and they will want to be in her life because of the good person she's turned out to be. 

If your friends parents are on drugs and always drinking and stuff, I also think that once your friend has her life on track not only will they want to be a part of her life, but also probably suck up to her. She'd be the only stable one, I think the smartest thing she could do is get them some help. They're never going to get better or become better people without being sober.

That's really good advice.  You can never be the best possible version of yourself unless you have your sobriety.  It took me a long time to figure this out.  Especially dealing with alcohol, it seems like every one drinks, but in reality, it's not that cool and it only leads to regrets. 

Alcohol is the root cause of so many problems. Life is so much better without it. It may give you like a few hours of fun when you and all your friends are drunk together but usually most people who are drunk do or say one thing that they end up regretting. But many poeple think that since their family and friends all drink that they cant stop because its a part of their lives and they're always surrounded by it, but thats not true at all. Its your life and you have the power to change it and make it so much better than everybody elses.

I think it is too difficult to not do anything. Especially if she comes from a family of alcoholics, the last thing you want to see is her become one of them (with regards to the alcoholism). It is a shame this is happening. but unfortunately it happens all of the time. Perhaps she needs to enter an addiction treatment center at http://www.clearviewtreatment.com. It may just be the best bet, unless she is able to come up with better alternatives to get her away from her family and there drinking problem.