Dear Rob,

I have spoke with a therapist and they believe if I have to admit I have a problem then maybe they need to look at themselves as having a problem. Which a family and friends + spouse have drug and drinking problems. Far more then I but I’m pointing fingers.

I think your therapist is right – your family discourages you from seeking professional help because it would disturb them and force them to take a look at their own addiction, which they don’t want to, at least not at the moment. And your reluctance to seek help could be in part caused by your desire to fit in, to not “rock the boat”, maybe even not to appear “better” or superior than your family.

I agree with anita – definitely do seek help, because it’s not going to get better, the drinking problem won’t just miraculously go away. You can’t pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, specially surrounded by people who make it harder for you to stop drinking…