DEAR HARRIETTE: I have an alcohol problem. I have for a while. I drink when I wake up and throughout the day. If I don’t, I feel terrible. It’s the only way I can get myself to function. A lot of the time, I wake up forgetting what I did the day before, but my daughter doesn’t hesitate to remind me. I can see the disappointment in her eyes when she looks at me, and it hurts me to see how much she hates me. Ever since her father left, I’ve been a mess. I started going out more and kept showing up late to work, and eventually I lost my job. My daughter takes care of me and all the money issues; things aren’t supposed to be that way. I should be taking care of her.
I decided I want to go to rehab, but my relationship with my daughter is what I’m worried about. Do you think I can make things right with her once I’m sober? Do you think she’ll forgive me for everything I’ve put her through? -- Bad Drunk, Seattle
DEAR BAD DRUNK: You have taken the first step and admitted your problem. Now you must get help. You need to find a detox facility that will help you to get sober, or go to Alcoholics Anonymous. Do this immediately. You won’t have a chance at your daughter’s forgiveness until you are deserving of it. Get clean first. You can do it!
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)