Hi everyone!
This is my first ever support group as I am just beginning to realize and accept the consequences of growing up with functional alcoholic parents. I understand now that functional alcoholics are so challenging to deal with because they seem so normal to everyone on the outside and the disease is easier to deny.

My parents were never abusive or mean, they both always had jobs and we had a good childhood. For this reason it took me a long time to understand why I am so angry at them. They drink after work daily and on weekends all day. I now have a child of my own and he is ten and they love to have him visit for a few weeks over the summer (we live in different states now.) This is the reason my anxiety has returned after several years living in a different part of the country.

In the weeks coming up to his trip I have extreme anxiety and cry a lot. I have continued to allow him to go visit because I have extreme feelings of obligation and guilt. Knowing what I know now, I realize my parents used to drink at friends houses then drive us around as children. They both pass out nightly after binge drinking and I am terrified something will happen to my son and no one will be available to help him.

I have started getting brave the past few years and have brought up my concerns regarding alcohol to my parents. I have been met with anger, denial, and resentment. This has been their way of life for so long that it seems normal to both of them.

My mom did switch to "only wine" and feels this somehow changes things. My moms dad was an alcoholic (he is no longer alive) and my moms brother has been in recovery for several years. He is supportive of me and agrees there is a problem. I have let them know that this will be the last time my son will be visiting them if there is no change. I really have no hope for change. Obviously I have been enabling this by sending my son up there despite being aware there is a problem.

I would love feedback and thoughts. Thank you in advance!!