Anonymous wrote:You can't help someone who doesn't want help or who doesn't think they have a problem. It's one of those true cliches.
If it's to the point where she no longer tries to hide it from her kids and is actually endangering them, then you need to step in and call CPS. Or if you have knowledge that she's leaving with the kids, call 911 or even the non-emergency number for your location and let them know you're sure she's drinking while driving. Or if the kids have a play date and you know she'll show up drunk, stall her, call the police and let them know you have a parent there to pick up a kid who is drunk.
She is a high functioning alcoholic and hides her alcohol use very well. She doesn't appear drunk a lot of the time even though she has had a lot to drink. Involving the police and CPS seems like it'd be very traumatic for the kids. I'm trying to avoid that as much as possible. They are 8 and 5 yrs old. Ideally she would be the one that goes and gets help so as not to disrupt the kids' living situation. I wish she would consider that but again, it's very tough to discuss with her. Or I wish her DH would put his foot down and leave with the kids but he won't do that.