While alcohol related problems are universal, as a Scot who sees the horrific statistics of the disease in Scotland, that had to be my priority. This site is open to all those dealing with their own alcoholic. I hope you find something of help here, even if it just a friend.
When I needed help, support and an understanding of alcoholism,it was difficult to find anything online. There were meetings and counselling but nowhere to find the practical details of what it was all about. The disease was part of my family yet I had no idea what it actually was and the stigma surrounding it all made it hard to swallow.
I felt guilty I had caused it, ashamed that I let it get so far and helpless despite the love and care I wanted to offer my alcoholic. I needed answers and most of all a plan of action. As a fixer I was sure I could help and get this all sorted out. I knew there were answers out there and I was going to find them.
Unfortunately any alcohol related problem is complicated and for those of us who care about someone with alcoholism there is no "quick fix". There is nothing we can do but offer out love and support. However, understanding more about the disease, knowing where help is available and learning to trust others in the same situation is not just important but vital for our own health and sanity.
I hope you find something here even if it is just some practical help. However, my real hope is that you find comfort and solace, that you realise you are not alone and that there are many, many others out there who share your fears and feelings of helplessness.
For privacy and to ensure anonymity anyone wishing to get actively involved by asking or answering a question, offering advice, writing an article or just telling their story, will have to sign up with an email address and an alias. This information will be for my eyes only. I hope this deters spammers, scammers and other ne'er do wells.