Though it may sound easy to achieve, the loving confrontation that brought Bob to his senses was a delicate maneuver. I must re-emphasize that families should not attempt to implement it on their own initiative. Without the training and assistance of professional support groups, the encounter could degenerate into a hateful, vindictive, name-calling battle that would serve only to solidify the drinker's position. Al-Anon Family Groups and Alcoholics Anonymous are both listed in local phone books. For teen-agers of an alcoholic parent, there is Alateen.
Teens can go there and share without their parents' permission or knowledge, and it's free.
Feeling wonderful about each other does not make two people compatible over the long haul. Many couples assume the excitement of their courtship will continue for the rest of their lives. It is naive to expect two unique individuals to mesh together like a couple of machines and to remain exhilarated throughout life. Even gears have multiple cogs with rough edges to be honed before they will work in concert. That honing process usually occurs in the first year or two of marriage.