My 16 year old sister in law seems to have a severe drinking problem. A couple of months ago she took an ambulance ride to the ER to treat alcohol poisoning. Her mom was really upset and after my S-I-L sobered up she promised not to do it again. I found out that last weekend she drank herself into a fit again and passed out, foamed at the mouth, convulsed, etc. and her friends almost called 911. My husband and I called my M-I-L to tell her what we had heard because we are worried our little sister has a serious drinking problem. My M-I-L asked the 16-year old what happened and she denied the whole thing, said it was a lie and the story is about her friends, not her. My M-I-L wants to give her daughter the benefit of the doubt - but I think she is in denial. My husband says to drop the issue. I say we need to sit down with my M-I-L and tell her that it really did happen and if she doesn't intervene, her daughter could kill herself. So - what should we do? Drop it or deal with it? Thanks
2006-12-20 06:19:31 · 11 answers · asked by SixEldest 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
It needs to be dealt with head on. She can't continue to hope for the best and think her daughter isn't on the path of destruction. Help out by sitting down with your mother-in-law and gently explaining that it is true, that her daughter is lying so she doesn't have to take the heat.
Maybe pick up some pamphlets on teenage alcohol abuse as well. Good luck!
2006-12-20 06:23:23 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I see your concern but I can tell you one thing for sure. If you want to help the girl, her mothers intervention is only going to make her wish to do it more.
Don't you remember being 16? didn't you always seem to do the opposite of what your parents wanted? Part of wanting Independence.
If I was you, find some of these people she hangs with, ask them to talk with you.Don't threaten them or act like their mom. Just express how you care about the girl to them and ask them to try and convince her next time they do drink (which they will weather you want them to or not)
That she needs to stop the binge drinking.Ask them to look out for her and stop her from going to far with it.To take it away from her if she doesn't seem to listen.
You see, if you put the responsibility on them and they know how much you care and you express to them how hurt you and the rest of the girls family will be if anything bad happens to her.They will pony up and feel obligated to intervene even if they don't really want to.The last thing any young kid wants to feel is the idea they could be to blame if it happens again.
Her peers right now are her real life line at that age. Put it to good use instead of bad.It will work.Then get them to fess this to the mom themselves with you that she has a problem. No way she can deny all of you.She may be angry about all this but she will get over it and live to change her thoughts down the road.
2006-12-20 06:31:45 · answer #2 · answered by vmaxer85 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your SIL definitely displays signs of being an alcoholic. I'm not sure you are in a position to do anything more than seeing that Mommy Dearest knows what her Little Darling is up to. It really comes down to her parents or the police taking some action. Hopefully Mama will come to her senses before the police have to get involved.
2006-12-20 07:04:31 · answer #3 · answered by Roberta 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Deal with it now. Its a symptom of an emotional problem. Get professional help, I guarantee a good therapist is going to discover some skeletons in the closet, and will help this girl figure some things out in her head. Nobody drinks themselves into oblivion accidentally. Shes acting out internal pain.
2006-12-20 06:25:40 · answer #4 · answered by Wheels 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At least she's 16 and living at home while all these things are going on instead of in her 20's and out of the house. There's more of a chance you can fix this now, instead of waiting until you have no control. She needs help, do whatever it takes to get it for her now.
2006-12-20 06:24:38 · answer #5 · answered by Cyndi Storm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should deal with it because you never know in the future she could kill herself and you guys would end up blaming yourselfs. I would intervene and try your hardest eventhough she's in denial. Good luck!
2006-12-20 06:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by c_eva02 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
this is a hard place to be...if you do intervene, then it could cause a problem within the family...if you dont, the girl could die. she is probably just a teen who wants to be the life of the party, but that could lead to her future problems. try to help her as soon as you can.
2006-12-23 10:49:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This needs to be dealt with right away. She has a problem and she has to get help before it gets too far out of control. get with your M.I.L as soon as possible and put it all out on the table.
2006-12-20 06:39:30 · answer #8 · answered by Kim 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
deal with it defenitly..i cant believe she convulsed and her friends didnt call an ambulance! some friends she has! this is y this needs to be dealt with..maybe her mom needs to realize that she needs to pull her daughter away from these irresponsible "friends" of hers!
2006-12-20 06:25:57 · answer #9 · answered by Life....it blows! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that's a tough one. perhaps you should contact a d&a center for more info. i wouldn't drop it, her life may depend on someone pushing this.
2006-12-20 06:23:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋