An Open Letter To My Family

I am an alcoholic. I need help.

Don’t allow me to lie to you and accept it for the truth, for in so doing, you encourage me to lie. The truth may be painful but get at it.

Don’t let me outsmart you. This only teaches me to avoid responsibility and to lose respect for you at the same time.

Don’t let me exploit you or take advantage of you. In so doing, you become an accomplice to my evasion of responsibility.

Don’t lecture me, moralize, scold, praise, blame, or argue when I’m drunk or sober. And don’t pour out my liquor; you may feel better, but the situational will be worse.

Don’t accept my promises. This is just my method of postponing pain. And don’t keep switching agreements. If an agreement is made, stick to it.

Don’t lose your temper with me. It will destroy you and any possibility of helping me.

Don’t allow your anxiety for us to compel you to do what I must do for myself.

Don’t cover up or abort the consequences of my drinking. It reduces the crisis but perpetuates the illness.

Above all, don’t run away from reality as I do. Alcoholism, my illness, gets worse as my drinking continues. Start now to learn, to understand, and to plan for my recovery. I need help from a doctor, a counselor or a psychologist, a recovered alcoholic, from God. I cannot help myself.

I hate myself, but I love you. To do nothing is the worse choice you can make for us.

Please help me,
Your Alcoholic

By Focus On Alcoholism, Washington State Dept. of Health, Olympia, WA