Tired of drunken boyfriend

Tue, August 07, 2012 - 12:00 AM

Dear Christine,

Thanks for the advice you give to readers. Now I am seeking some advice for myself.

My boyfriend and I have been together for just ten months but it was only within the fifth month of our relationship that I realized how much of a drinker he is. I do not know how come I had not seen all this before.

We met one day at a concert and hit it off immediately. I do not know if he tried to conceal this from me, but over the past five months I have been faced with his drinking habits.

He goes out drinking with friends and comes around reeking of alcohol. One night when we were supposed to visit a relative, he was so tipsy that I refused to get into the car with him. I told him he was not fit to drive and if he did not care about his life, he should care enough not to take another person’s life.

He has told me repeatedly that he’ll stop drinking if I agree to marry him, but that’s no guarantee. I like this man, but what can I do to help him? Right now, his drinking habits could cost him my friendship.

– Help

Dear Help,

Don’t be blinded by this man’s promise to stop drinking if you agree to marry him. That’s total nonsense! All you’ll have on your hands would be a drunken husband instead of a drunken boyfriend. He needs professional help and should consider paying some visits to Alcohol Anonymous (AA).

Perhaps you don’t want to leave him to fend for himself and would rather see him on a more positive footing, but he has to want to help himself.

On the other hand, you have to ask yourself if you can put up with him in his current state.

If he refuses professional help and you have to put an end to the relationship, do not feel bad about it. Alcoholics can become very abuseive and you could be saving yourself from a life of abuse.

– CHRISTINE