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In reply to the discussion: My dad was a drunk, a staggering lush who alienated every person he knew... [View all]Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)My late father's last job before retirement was at a shelter for homeless alcoholics. Most of them, of course, became homeless because they were alcoholics. From what he told me, I knew that your story is far from unique -- in fact, your father, while failing in many ways, still managed to do a better job for you and your brother than did some other men with the same affliction.
My father used to grouse about the degree of public attention paid to drug abuse, meaning illegal drugs. His complaint was that the problems from alcohol abuse dwarfed those arising from all the illegal drugs combined. Grandstanding politicians still try to get mileage out of backing the "War on Drugs" while cutting funding for programs that address alcoholism.
My your dad and mine both rest in peace.