My associate from work has a cousin that really seems to be dragging her down. Her family expects her to driver her female cousin around to where her cousin wants to go because her cousin cointinues to get into trouble with drinking and driving. She is expected to keep her out of trouble. Her family has been enabling the cousin who is an alcoholic with a bad sense of judgement. One night after the bar closed, the alcoholic cousin took off in the car after she asked the responsible cousin to get her some cigarettes from the gas station. She ended up recking and totalling the car. The one who was to be blamed by the whole family was the responsible cousin. I don't think that is fair.

Thats not fair at all. The family should be finding out ways to stop the alcoholic cousin from drinking rather than just basicaly supporting it but making sure she doesn't get introuble. The responsible cousin shouldn't put up with it. She should speak up about it. How old are they?

There are always enablers regarding addicts. Addicts will almost always manipulate others to get what they want, including rides or cigarettes, whatever it may be. They have worped judgement and sometimes they don't know the difference in a dangerous situation. If their family is giving them slack, then they will blame them, make others feel sorry for them, anything it takes to keep living the lifestyle they choose.

I think its pretty immature for the parents to be expecting the responsible cousin to basically support the alcoholics habits. They should be out getting her help and talking her into not drinking and keeping her away from drinking, rather than supporting her wrongs and sheltering her from getting in trouble.

ybpublishing2 said: My associate from work has a cousin that really seems to be dragging her down. Her family expects her to driver her female cousin around to where her cousin wants to go because her cousin cointinues to get into trouble with drinking and driving. She is expected to keep her out of trouble. Her family has been enabling the cousin who is an alcoholic with a bad sense of judgement. One night after the bar closed, the alcoholic cousin took off in the car after she asked the responsible cousin to get her some cigarettes from the gas station. She ended up recking and totalling the car. The one who was to be blamed by the whole family was the responsible cousin. I don't think that is fair.

I dont think they should be letting this cousin out at all. She should be grounded or accompanied at all times untill she can control her drinking habits. If she's not responsible to take care of herself then she most definitely is not mature enough to be drinking.