I have a cousin(alcoholic) that lives 100 miles from me and she lives with her DH (alcoholic) and their dog. No children. I am the closest living relative and possibly the only one that keeps in touch with her.
the problem is that she has fallen off of the wagon after giving up for 15 years. Her DH fell off of the wagon around 10 years ago and doesn’t seem to care. The problem is my cousin claims that she wants to quit but he is always drinking around her so she is struggling to stay sober. He is very controlling and buys her alcohol when he goes shopping.
How is she ever going to be able to give up with him not helping and encouraging her. I have asked her to come and stay with me for a few weeks to help her but she will not leave him as she is all he has. 3 years ago he was told he would die if he continued drinking but he’s still going. She on the other hand looks very ill, withdrawn and haggered. I have begged her to get help but she said that she is ok and that she can do this herself. Last year there was an incident where she got so drunk she fell out of a car and smacked her head on the pavement. An ambulance was called and she was in hospital for a few days. I tried to get her help from the hospital but she refused it. All she would say is that the husband would help her. She is totally blind to his controlling ways and I no longer know what to do to help her. I am at my wits end. It’s heartbreaking as she is destroying herself and her husband is encouraging her and she cannot see what he is doing to her.