My mums dad came from a mining community in Scotland and drinking alcohol was a big part of his upbringing and family.
He got out of the mines and went into engineering. Had a good career but alcohol was a big part of his life. Made own brew beer and wine.
Once he retired the alcohol slowly took over and he became more And more dependent.
I'm now watching the same process with my mum but it seems to be effecting her faster.
She is 57 and works 4 days a week in an office job. She drinks every day and binges at the weekend. She also smokes. At every event now she turns up already tipsy and gets drunk very fast. She nearly pulled me down with her at my baby shower when I was 8 months pregnant.
She recently fell on her head at a social event. She has fallen down her stairs and out of every taxi that she now jokes about it.
Quite often when she sees people it will be at a social event so her drinking looks normal.
I try to discuss it with her but she gets very defensive, or looks to me as an ally.
I have noticed the last few times I've seen her that her face shakes slightly and don't know if this is something to do with the alcohol.
She is very manipulative and she picks me up and drops me when suits.
I am so worried for her and can only see this getting worse and worse and not really sure what I can do.
She knows I hate her drinking and smoking so much but I really don't think it'll ever change.
I really worry for the future. I love her and it makes me so sad to see what she is doing to herself.