You can do all the work on yourself, go to a therapist, work on living the Twelve Steps, and on being set and sound with your path forward. However, what do you do if your family members continue on their path?
If you have contact with an alcoholic parent, you might need to put down a hard boundary. This might mean that you need to break all contact with them or to be honest and let them know that you are choosing to move forward in your life down a different path.
Anger, manipulation, arguing, and guilt might be slung your way.
First, I recommend that you learn more about alcoholic personality behaviors.
In the past, when you’ve had contact with the person in your life who has a drinking problem, you might have reacted by fighting back or withdrawing. Reacting isn’t going to solve your problems.
A new way is to set a path that’s healthy for you. To disentangle yourself from your dysfunctional family, will take time and will be painful.
We are human.
You might be struggling to work with a parent, a spouse, a sibling, or your child. The complications on how to live a healthy life and to navigate having a relationship with the person who has the drinking problem cannot be underestimated.
At some point, you will need to decide where you cannot go. This might include separation, a divorce cutting off a parent or sibling, to save yourself.
Tough love does not mean that you don’t care. It does not mean that you’re heartless and want to hurt someone else.
That’s not the case at all.
Your well-being is paramount.
If you grew up in an alcoholic or dysfunctional family, making the choice to build a new life is opening new possibilities and pathways for yourself.
Love yourself.
Focus on what works for you.
Set healthy boundaries.
Live your life.
It’s time now for you to be happy.
Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.