I am 50 years old and have parents who I love very much. I feel that my parents are alcoholics due to the following fact.

They drink alcohol on a daily basis...to the point of being drunk. It has been this way for over 20 years. They used to drink and party when we were growing up, however, we never went "without" so to speak. We always had a roof over our heads, always had food to eat, went on vacations, interacted with family and friends but as time has gone on, the quality of life has changed for them. My Dad retired at 58 and is now 73. Mom has been a homemaker most of her life, working outside the home for short periods (although if you heard her talk, you would think she had a major career) they are now deep in credit card debt, their home is heavily financed and they are bitter towards their children. I have two younger siblings in their 40's and they direct their anger towards us for their dire financial situation. Never mind that my Dad gambles constantly (hoping to score the BIG one) and my mother and him drink on a daily basis. Mom's preference is beer and wine....Dad drinks whiskey. They have a very active social life....although they rarely leave the house....people come over to their home as it is viewed as THE place to party. I don't think there is a day that goes by that they don't have "friends" over to drink and gossip with. If I ever want to see my parents sober, I must visit them in the morning hours. Of course they don't consider themselves alcoholics because they don't drink before noon. You know...."alcoholics are people who HAVE to have a drink the first thing in the morning" I can no longer stand seeing them in their drunken state...the conversations always turn ugly as I am now starting to speak up and say that I don't agree with what they are accusing me of. They constantly bring up things that they purchased for me as a child/teenager....everything from clothing to birthday celebrations....it's insane!! Most of all, to say that I am ungratful for these things....they don't realize how lucky they are as parents. My two sisters live on the same street that we grew up on....one lives right next door with her husband, she does not work outside the home and does many things for them. The other lives down the street with her husband and son and visits nearly every day. I don't visit as much as I live in a nearby city and work in a major city and commute by train. I try to see them weekly, but usually it's in the evening, after work and they are drunk by then. So, I don't end up going as often. I'll quit rambling....I just needed to vent....I know I cannot be alone with this type of family dynamic. Hugs to all of you who are in the same boat. ShelaBug