Help with Mother-in-Law's addictions!?!
Question: Help with Mother-in-Law's addictions!!?
I don't know what to do for my husband!. His mother has been addicted to cigarette and alcohol for what seems like forever!. She has chronic emphysema, and cannot go anywhere without an oxygen tank!. She has been this way for all 3 years that I have known her!.!.!.I think she got the tank about 5 years ago!.
Anyway, she hasn't been to work all year, but refuses to get disability!. She keeps trying to go back to work, but they always end up sending her to the hospital within her first 2 hours there!. She drinks so much, she often breaks her toes on the coffee table and does not remember it!. She usually doesn't know what day it is!.
My SIL just called to say that my MIL is in the hospital for the about 30th time this year, and she is starting to have pancreatic failure!. She insists that her doctors say she has nothing wrong with her lungs, and that she looks like she never smoked a day in her life--yeah, right!
If she is released, she's going to keep smoking and drinking!. She does this every single time!. She even smokes next to her oxygen tank!. At our wedding last year, the only thing she packed for the hotel was one change of clothes and two cartons of cigarettes!.
I don't know what to do for my husband and the family!. I feel helpless and so does my husband and SIL!. We feel she is going to kill herself, and I don't know what to do!. My husband and SIL already think it is their fault that she won't quit!.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!. We are wondering if she can be committed somewhere, as she is mentally unstable!? I just don't know what to do, and it breaks my heart!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Anyway, she hasn't been to work all year, but refuses to get disability!. She keeps trying to go back to work, but they always end up sending her to the hospital within her first 2 hours there!. She drinks so much, she often breaks her toes on the coffee table and does not remember it!. She usually doesn't know what day it is!.
My SIL just called to say that my MIL is in the hospital for the about 30th time this year, and she is starting to have pancreatic failure!. She insists that her doctors say she has nothing wrong with her lungs, and that she looks like she never smoked a day in her life--yeah, right!
If she is released, she's going to keep smoking and drinking!. She does this every single time!. She even smokes next to her oxygen tank!. At our wedding last year, the only thing she packed for the hotel was one change of clothes and two cartons of cigarettes!.
I don't know what to do for my husband and the family!. I feel helpless and so does my husband and SIL!. We feel she is going to kill herself, and I don't know what to do!. My husband and SIL already think it is their fault that she won't quit!.
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!. We are wondering if she can be committed somewhere, as she is mentally unstable!? I just don't know what to do, and it breaks my heart!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Talk to her doctor and see what can be done!. All you can do for your husband and family is to be there for them and keep any unkind words to yourself!. The words are probably all in their head but it doesn't do any good for them to hear it from someone else!. There really is nothing that can be done for someone who doesn't want to quit but you can't just sit around and watch her kill herself!. Let them know that it is NOT there fault, maybe look into Alon or whatever it is for the families of Alcoholics, they are very helpful!. You can't help someone that doesn't want help!. You can't make someone do what they don't want to do either!.
Just love your husband and be supportive and you and your family are in my prayers!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Just love your husband and be supportive and you and your family are in my prayers!.
Good luck!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Take this advice I have learnt from years of experience, do nothing !!
You can't stop her drinking or smoking all you can do is make sure her will is intact and her funeral arrangments are made!.
Until she is ready to stop smoking and drinking there is nothing you or anyone else can do!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
You can't stop her drinking or smoking all you can do is make sure her will is intact and her funeral arrangments are made!.
Until she is ready to stop smoking and drinking there is nothing you or anyone else can do!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Forgive me for being blunt!. If she really does have chronic emphysema, it's just a matter of time before she dies!. So you might as well let her enjoy the things she likes!. If that includes drinking and smoking, let her do it!. In her mind, that's all she has left to enjoy!. Let her enjoy it!. You won't have to tolerate it much longer!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Unfortunately for you, your hubby, and sil, her mind is made up!! You can not change that!! Ever!! It is her life, ya'll have yours!! Her choices may hurt ya'll, but they are hers to make!! Let her life be her own!! Let her die happy!! Or is she with all the interference!?!? Live and let live!!
And why would you even post something like this!?!? Www@Answer-Health@Com
And why would you even post something like this!?!? Www@Answer-Health@Com