Dear Hillary,
I like a drink, who doesn’t, but my fan likes a drink even more. She’s getting into the hard stuff during the day while I’m in the office, and is definitely tipsy by the time I come home. When I look forward to a home cooked meal, she’s too tired (or too tipsy), but really too far gone to take out to a restaurant, so now I go by myself. I’m getting pretty p’d off with this but what can I do? We’ve been together over six years, but the last two years it has been getting worse. She won’t admit that she’s drinking so much either, and gets angry if I show her empty bottles. What is the next step, Hillary? Divorce?
James
Dear James,
This is a medical problem, James, not an Agony Aunt problem. You must be getting near the end of your tether mentioning divorce as an option, but I believe it is the final step, not the next step. You have to sit down with her and tell her what you feel. Try to get her to go to a doctor – if she’s drinking as much as you suggest then some blood tests might back this up. However, if she won’t go, then you’re stuck I’m afraid. Chronic drinking is a problem, and not just with the Thai people. Farangs can also have just as big a problem. Since you have been together for six years, I think you should take on the responsibility of trying to help her, but put a time limit on it, or you will end up being dragged down as well. You have already admitted that you like a drink too!
