She’s 21, I think she knows. I’m high-functioning, hold down a stressful job, have solid friendships, support her and have a lovely home etc etc. Divorced from her dad with whom I have an amicable relationship and with whom she has regular contact. But I drink 1-2 bottles of wine a night and this has been a feature of her life for many years. We’re as close as can be and she always knows when I’ve had a drink but I try to deny it. She’s done well, I’m a single parent but she has plenty of contact with her dad who’s done something really awful in the past but that’s another story.
I always feel I have to be the fixer and be strong for her (the latest is she appears to have genital herpes and she’s devastated because she doesn’t sleep around). I’m tired of lying to her, I keep thinking it’s going to stop her from being hurt but I know in my gut that’s not true. She’s going back to uni at the weekend and I just want her to know what’s going on with me and stop the lies. I have a wonderful GP who’s been trying to help me for ages and have referred myself to D&A services (again) in the hope that a plan can be put in place to get me off alcohol (and prescription drugs).
Do I fess up to my wonderful daughter who is such a sensitive soul and finding life so hard anyway? She tells me I’m her rock and I feel as if I’m failing her on all fronts. My gut feeling is that I can’t hide my addiction from her anymore and she’s going to be more damaged by my lying than the addiction itself. I’m utterly desperate to get better, know where to turn and have made the necessary steps (again). Sorry this is long.