Does every family have a drunk/druggie Uncle Joe?

[Anonymous]

Does every family have a drunk/druggie Uncle Joe?

If you have a drunk/druggie Uncle Joe, how has your family dealt with that person's the self-destructiveness? Help or ignore? Tough love?

[Anonymous]

We do! He didn't come to T'giving this year and we all remarked that this was the best T'giving ever! We also have 2 Aspies. We just love them and ignore their obnoxious parts. Family is family (btw lots of adopted/foster/steps who are family).

[Anonymous]

Yes. Not allowed in the house if they're using.

[Anonymous]

We don't. We used to have several old racists though, but they've mostly died off.

[Anonymous]

I laughed SO HARD when I read this!

YES! We have two. My aunt divorced one, he's still drunk uncle. My SIL just divorced her husband, drunk uncle number 2.

While I find it funny that we all have this problem, both situations were heartbreaking. I worry a lot about drunk uncle 2.0, but drunk uncle 1.0 cleaned up his act and is fine today.

[Anonymous]

Not in my family, but DH's family did. He passed a few years ago and it was something no one discussed. It only took me a couple of minutes to realize he was an alcoholic (before we had kids or were even married). No way would I have allowed my kids around him, DH was driven around by him as a kid. His family loves to sweep things under the rug, even if it puts someone at risk.

[Anonymous]

DH's brother is one. I don't talk to him. DH and family are enablers. We live in a different country so we ignore him for most part. He is a lousy husband and father. ILs don't think that it is a problem. Separated from wife.

[Anonymous]

My husband's doesn't. Mine has one now but we used to have two before he committed suicide.

[Anonymous]

I suspect we would if DH's late brother hadn't died under suspicious circumstances before we met.

[Anonymous]

my dad was the drunk uncle and he died at 48 (i was 14.) he lived w/ my grandmas after my mom divorced him and he'd stay in his room and liste to john denver on 8-track full blast while all the cousins and aunt/uncles were over for xmas/tgiving dinner. seemed normal to me then. ha!

[Anonymous]

Nope

[Anonymous]

We have Aunt Jo. She was basically estranged from us until she divorced her abusing/enabling husband and moved across the country to live near my grandfather (her father) who helped her through rehab. My grandfather employed a tough love policy before and during rehab. She now has a PhD in counseling and specializes in substance abuse/addiction counseling. She has been clean for over 20 years.

[Anonymous]

:Yep, have one and his name is Joe.

[Anonymous]

Nope.

[Anonymous]

Yes, yes, yes! At a family party with kids present, my drunk aunt once demonstrated how to give a BJ on a Popsicle. Will forever be emblazened in my mind. So inappropriate!