Help With my Father that Drinks

[Luth96]

My father drinks anywhere from 4-9, 8% alcohol drinks a day. He had hurt his back a long time ago in a past job and it is how he 'deals with the pain'. He promised me a long time ago that he would stop drinking, but he didn't. At times, usually in the lower tiers, he is fine and somewhat funny. Once he drinks quite a bit though, he gets very mean. He blames my mother for tearing our family apart when his drinking is the problem in my eyes. I want to forgive him, and every time I do, he starts back in with more drinking the next day. He blames my mother for not being truthful, and not listening to God, while he goes and drinks. Any help on forgiveness, or what to tell him to make him stop drinking?

 

[Tigger45]

May God's peace and wisdom be upon your family

 

[Luth96]

May God's peace and wisdom be upon your family

Thank you

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

My father drinks anywhere from 4-9, 8% alcohol drinks a day. He had hurt his back a long time ago in a past job and it is how he 'deals with the pain'. He promised me a long time ago that he would stop drinking, but he didn't. At times, usually in the lower tiers, he is fine and somewhat funny. Once he drinks quite a bit though, he gets very mean. He blames my mother for tearing our family apart when his drinking is the problem in my eyes. I want to forgive him, and every time I do, he starts back in with more drinking the next day. He blames my mother for not being truthful, and not listening to God, while he goes and drinks. Any help on forgiveness, or what to tell him to make him stop drinking?

alcohol is one of those issues that tear up a family quite quickly, as well as it can other areas of life. A person needs to choose they will stop using/drinking, but family can be there to love them, but yet not endorse the behaviors. I don't know what the dynamics are for your family, but I can speak to forgiveness.

Forgiveness is a choice we make out of our desire to find peace with someone. They may not have any impact from it, but we do. It's not always easy to choose or keep being forgiving. I do know that sometimes I have to choose to forgive over and over on certain issues, but God understands that.

How do you help your father? I'd encourage you to see Christian counsel from someone who specialized in alcoholism, as well as perhaps looking for a support group called Celebrate Recovery or Al-Anon.