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[quote=Anonymous]A relative of mine is going through a divorce. She lives in another state with two pre-teens. I saw her recently while I was on business in her state. She's always been a super-organized, attractive, fit woman. I had not seen her for a few years. On this visit, we made plans to get together for dinner. I was at the restaurant, waiting for her, when my cell rang. She called with a weird excuse about why she couldn't come. That was totally unlike her. Even more unlike her, she was drunk. It was 7 p.m. She was slurring her words, not making sense. We made a date to meet the next day for lunch. I texted her five times to make sure she knew when and where to meet. She arrived for lunch 35 minutes late, was wearing a rumpled outfit to a fairly upscale restaurant. Her face looked puffy, she wore no makeup. She was not drunk, nor did she drink during lunch. Clearly, she didn't want to talk about the divorce, so we chatted about the kids, both of whom she claimed were very happy. She said every thing was fine, fine, fine.

I found out via someone we both know that she's been depressed and drinking heavily since the separation, a total shock to me. I've never known her to drink.  Apparently, my relative's sister had tried to get her to stop drinking, but she didn't/wouldn't/couldn't. She lives in a city where she has no family except her kids, no friends. I feel that she's in crisis, and her drinking must be harming her children. Being drunk at 7 p.m. on a weekday feels like alcoholism or at least a serious drinking problem.

My question: Is there anything I should or can do? We are not close, but I know her sister and her best friend. I want to do something, but maybe it's best if I mind my own business? Thoughts? [/quote]

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