Okay, here's the thing: I don't mind if someone drinks. Hell, I don't even mind if they get drunk. But when the freaking alcohol rules their ever-self-loving, pathetic lives, THEN I have a problem with it. And it is only worse if the person is a narcissistic alcoholic. Trying to reason with someone who is drunk is hard enough. But when they are the almighty-ruler-of-the-universe (in their own warped, sick, twisted little alcohol-drenched brain) it is utterly impossible. To watch someone like this drag his wife down the road to ruin, all in the pursuit of another case of beer, for God's sake, is enough to make me hate him. No, loathe him. HE is the most important thing. HIS tools are sacred. HIS car is his baby. HIS meals. HIS television. HIS pleasure, happiness, and security. Go jump in a freaking lake, you jerk. The world isn't about you. It isn't about how someone else can make you feel good about yourself. It isn't about what they can do for you. It isn't about how many things YOU own, or how many friends you THINK you have. Wake up, man. Open your eyes and realize life is more than consuming another 12 ounces before you eat your damn breakfast. Realize that being nice to someone for the sake of being nice is reward enough! Take a look at yourself and realize that your "friends" aren't really your friends at all: they are just too embarrassed by your drunken behavior, and too possessed of pity, to ignore you. Maybe, just maybe, open your eyes and realize your life has been nothing but self-gratification, and nobody will truly miss you unless you change your ways... before it is too late.

sadly, that's applicable to more than just drunks...a lot of people act that way without the alcohol as an excuse...they blame their parents, the government, the past, anything...but yes, I agree with you and completely understand where that's coming from

You know my ex? :/

Well, you aren't my mother, are you? hehe

Shall we send the boys after him?

only if I can join in the fun...

Get your mommy out of there!

My dad drinks from the time he gets up until he asleep. It really makes it difficult to find a moment when he's sober to talk to him about whatever. Sadly, I don't think he'll ever change & my mom gets totally bent about it all. I can't convince her to not let him rule her life either.

Yeah, sounds about the same on this end, Snuggs. Her whole argument for staying is "I'm too old to start over, and what would he do?" Sometimes it is harder to talk to her than him, it seems. Ah well. All I can do is cross my fingers she comes to her senses.

Being a grown adult, it sounds silly to be fuming over my parents, but I do. If she could just see how much better it is on the other side of the fence, maybe she would do something about it. Until then, he will continue to use his legendary beer can of life leeching, and suck her dry.

Sorry to burden everyone, not trying to whine.

Phew! That was a good rant. And no worries... this is something well worthy of a good rant. Something like this... you rant all you want.

Just for your own info about understanding your parents... Google co-dependency and enabling.

Being the adult child of parents with issues, is like caretaking for your parents before you would normally have to... learn what you can about it. Talking is good, especially because if nothing else you learn you're not alone... and it help to cope when you talk with those that can relate.

To be the non-PC voice in the crowd:

Stripping away the emotion, the pity, the sorrow, I look at this situation and see one thing. Someone doing something bad because the people it effects allow him to continue to do it.

Maybe I'm cold-hearted, but if someone in your life is having that big of a negative effect then action has to be taken. Whether it be intervening in their life or completely cutting them out of yours (along with all ties to the person, sad to say) is the only option for me.

Yes, I've been in a similar situation and let it drag too long before taking action, but it was better late than never. At some point something has to happen to change or you will have to live with it and know that it's by your choice.