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Living with a drinker
True life: If you live with a drinker, talk to someone.
See the alcohol & drugs section for lots of supportive information.
I live with a drinker. Initially it was very good craic. It was good craic for the simple reason that I was drinking with him. This lasted for about one week, the first week back at college! After that I cut my drinking to one night a week. However, he continued drinking nearly every night. He had at least one alcoholic beverage every day until the middle of November. I think he only had one, 4 times, the rest of the time he had a lot more.
This continuous drinking of his soon got on our nerves. He'd arrive home at 3.00 in the morning; accompanied by people he met about 30 minutes earlier. Then the noise would start. First the music, then the shouting. This would wake me up and the rest of my flatmates. If we complained, we were told to lighten up a bit. "You're only young once" was the common statement thrown our way.
It wasn't just our flatmates who would be woken in the middle of the night. We live on the top floor of an apartment block, one night he was unable to open the door with his key. He used force and managed to break the key in the lock. He proceeded to bang on the door shouting and roaring until the couple down on the bottom floor opened the door.
After about 3 or 4 hours sleep we'd wake up. The kitchen/sitting room would be a mess. We'd wake him for college. Sometimes he'd have a cure before going into college. He'd go straight to college sometimes wearing the same clothes he slept in. When he arrived home from college he might have a shower and usually had another drink to cure the headache.
Not long into the year he started claiming he lost money and couldn't afford to pay the rent. We'd have to bail him out. Granted, he always paid us back but the fact that he was spending so much money on alcohol was not a good sign
However, bad and all as that seems, I’m in a much better position that a lot of other people.
After all, he is only my friend. Friends come and go! But there are people out there whose parents, spouse or even children are drinkers and family don't come and go like friends. They are there for life. These are the people who need help. Getting abused by them. Physically, mentally and verbally! Hearing lies all the time! Living in squalor!
It is just a matter of realising the situation one is in and then addressing it. IF YOU LIVE WITH A DRINKER, talk to someone. You may not want to talk to a family member, there are loads of people out there who are willing to listen and want to help.
Remember, you are not alone. Blood is thicker than water, but the question your wondering 'is blood thicker that alcohol’...
Anonymous
See the help section for supportive information and contacts details of support organisations.
If you or someone you know has an urgent drugs and/or alcohol problem, for example: taken an overdose, fear the drug has been contaminated or experienced an unusual reaction to a drug then you should immediately: Go to the casualty unit of the nearest hospital or CALL 999 Emergency Services.
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National Drugs & H.I.V Helpline 1800 459 459
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www.dap.ie providing information, support and counselling in relation to drugs, substance misuse or addiction.
This article is part of the SpunOut.ie true life stories section – a space for young people to share their experiences of tough times and encourage others to seek help. This story is just one person's experience and it may be different for you. Remember that no matter what you are going through, there is help and support available. See the Find help section for more information: http://www.spunout.ie/help/
