I'm a secret SAHM alcoholic

[Theblondewino]

Married, two kids, stay at home mother and functioning alcoholic. Both my kids are happily playing with toys in front of me while I sip on my second vodka and sprite and wrap gifts for nieces birthday tomorrow

I was brought by my grandparents. My Granny was a 'secret functioning alcoholic'. We all knew and it had a huge impact on all our lives.

You believe you are functioning, those around you know you aren't . Don't kid yourself. Poor kids.

You think you are a functioning alcoholic, but the time will come where you're no longer able to function.

If you continue to drink, you can look forward to urinary and faecal incontinence, black outs where you can't remember what you've said and done, your children looking unkempt and uncared for, social services being involved in every aspect of your life, neighbours and school gate mums gossiping about you, and that's not even the worst of it.

Put the drink down and seek help, for goodness sake.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the tone of your post doesn't imply there's a desire to change. The opposite if anything.
As the child of two "functioning alcoholics", don't underestimate how fucking ruined they'll be when you stop functioning so well.

It won't stay secret the children won't be happy as they get older if you continue as you are. I knew someone in a similar position and it didn't end well. Please seek help and support from family friends and a professional.

I see a woman like this everyday. Drinking small bottles while walking her child and (not so discreetly) putting them in the bin. Always first thing in the morning. Her eyes are bloodshot she is not functioning in my eyes but may seem to be to herself. She's been reported and who knows what's going on in the background. I hope her children have support.

I also hope you seek support and help. Please reach out to someone for the sake of your children.

What is this thread for, OP? You've had plenty of replies but not responded to any of them.
Do you just want us to pointlessly worry about your children? Are you worried about them? You are the one who can do something to keep them safe, not us.

Aren't you sad that you may not get to see your kids grow up if you don't stop?

😀Are you one of those parents that always wants to do the early lift when you lift share 😂

Alcoholics Anonymous are advertising on the side of buses now. I saw one of their ads yesterday. I thought that's a clever idea, so many people trying to go sober for January and probably failing by mid-January.

Sad you'd think I made it up. Her story was in the papers at the time, as her alcoholism had apparently been brought on as a result of trauma she suffered after one of her children had died as a baby and had been involved in a hospital scandal of the time involving many children ( not identifying which one of course). But you can think what you want.

Don't worry about the Vodka, it's the sugar in the sprite that you need to worry about.

What do you want your children's lives to look like?

What defines you as ‘functioning’ vs. just an alcoholic?

I don't get the vodka has no smell thing. All alcohol has a smell and secret drinkers always absolutely reek. It's not a secret op.

People will be able to smell it your breath. I doubt it's as secret as you think. You need help.

I can see the disadvantages (cost, health, not being able to drive safely). But what are the advantages?

I'm sorry to hear you are struggling, OP. I'm guessing that your post might be the first time you've admitted to yourself, or anyone else (albeit anonymously) that you have a problem. I hope you will be able to take further steps to stop drinking, at least temporarily. I would recommend the Alcohol Change website which has lots of tips. There are also lots of alcohol support threads on MN.

Best of luck, and well done for having the courage to admit you have a problem.

I spent my whole childhood surrounded by alcoholics.

Just thought it was normal as a child but as an adult I realise that they were always either drunk, or getting all arsey and irritable coz they were waiting for their next drink.

My dad used to say he wasn't an alcoholic because he drank half pints - no amount of me explaining to him that it was the total quantity of alcohol he consumed that was what mattered, the size of the receptical he drank it from was irrelevant. He died at 54, heart and liver disease.

Does this impact your ability to take you kids out? I'm assuming if drinking your not driving or have you been guilty of drink driving? Do you find yiu are requiring more alcohol to "function" over time? If your kids are playing i assume they aren't school age yet?

The thread the other day drinking at 11 am then the thread where op was drunk and acting like a teen knob head now this thread it all sounds like the same poster tbh.

How long before you leave your drink unattended to pop to the loo and one of the children slugs it down because they're thirsty?? In answer to an above comment, your children are NOT safe!

How long before one of them requires urgent medical attention and you're too pissed to drive? Even if you don't actually drive, just imagine turning at the GP, Urgent Care or A/E with a sick or injured child and you stink of alcohol, slur your speech or cannot explain what happened to your child? SS will be all over it and justifiable so!

Please seek help now!

Sadly, there are advantages. The main one being to flush out the noise of anxiety/trauma/depression. It's the easy fix if you won't deal with genuine sources who can help.

Oh it's no secret, people know.

PLEASE seek help