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They are 73 & 75. They have always drank but maintain, they do not have a drinking problem. They definitely do. I am an only child, I have no outside help or support. They have made it impossible to want to care for them. They are extremely angry. They have fought with each other my whole life. They have been extremely mean and intrusive to my husband for 25+ years. I have three children who they have been extremely rude, and mean too. Verbally, demoralizing, and physically to one. All of my children have walked away from them. My husband wants me to walk away and let them be alone, they have been extremely mean to him over the years, I know it seems harsh. But they are toxic. Nothing helps. Their feelings are, it's their life, they can do what they want. They accuse everyone of only being around them for their money, they don't have any! They get defensive, and go at my adult children like a pit bull enraged. They caused so much stress on my oldest who was always loyal to them, that they caused her to have her baby early, due to preclampsia stress. They call me a caregiver, but I'm not. I only have a say if I sugar coat words, and act like I'm on their side. I am not allowed to speak to their doctors. I want to write a letter to their doctors, because how can the doctor not see they have issues?

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You seem to be coming at this from the alcoholism angle as though if they were only sober it would solve everything..... I've always remembered a story I read somewhere years ago from someone who thought their loved one was a mean drunk, then discovered after they got sober they were just plain mean.
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As long as they are competent, they have to hit rock-bottom to begin to solve their own problems. If you are there to provide a safe landing, it's not going to happen.

"They accuse everyone of only being around them for their money, they don't have any! They get defensive, and go at my adult children like a pit bull enraged. They caused so much stress on my oldest who was always loyal to them, that they caused her to have her baby early, due to preclampsia stress."

That should be it for you -- leave them to their own devices, and stay out of their lives. If they have no money, let APS step in when things get so out-of-control that they can't take care of themselves.

Tough love isn't just for children!
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OK, we get that they’re “mean”.

But knowing nothing else besides they are mean to you, to your husband, to your children, to each other, that they drink too much, and that they don’t want you to know much about their lives, what do you want someone to tell you?

What reason(s) do you have to be around the! What has ever earned their loyalty? Why would you, as the connection to them, encourage anyone whom YOU LOVE to be anywhere near them?

If “All (my) children have walked away from them” why ON EARTH did they walk back?

It appears from what YOU SAY, that they have told you over and over and over AND OVER who they are. WHY AREN’T YOU LISTENING TO THEM????

If they don’t want normal, positive, reasonable relations with people, why do YOU persist in attempting to establish something THEY DON’T WANT AND WON’T DO?
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When people are mean to you, mean to your spouse and mean AND verbally and physically abusive to your children, you should take the hint and walk away.

Likely their doctor backs away from helping because s/he sees that you are there. Step away and let social services step in.
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You can't help Drunks and thats what they are. Alcoholism is just a nice name they have put on it. Its a desease, an addiction...true but THEY have to want to be sober. You have put up with this too long. Exposed your kids and DH to their abuse. Yes, they r your parents but your family's needs outweigh theirs. I would tell them that until they do something about their addiction problem, you will not be involved with them. You and your family need to walk away. Like said they need to hit bottom. When that happens, you get APS involved. Do not try to fix this yourself. AL-Anon may help you deal with ur decision.

When my parents got married my Mom thought it would be nice to invite her estranged father to dinner. The estrangement came because he left her and her mother. He came drunk and all he talked about was the children he had with the woman he left my Grandmother for and never married even after my GMs death. He had 5 with my GM. My Dad kicked him out and told him not to come back. Dad was 24.
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How many more people need to be hurt by your parents before you stop trying to rescue them from their own poor choices? You cannot get your alcoholic parents help because they don't want it. The sooner you accept that fact, the better.

You have allowed your parents to abuse your children and your husband. You allowed abuse even after your parents physically abused one of your children. If I was married to you, or if you were my mother, I would have left you a long time ago.

You owe your children and husband apologies. And that will mean stepping away from your abusive, alcoholic parents and explaining to your parents why you are stepping away from them. Put your husband and children first and rebuild your family without your toxic parents.

You may want to consider therapy for yourself to explore why you allowed your parents to abuse you, your husband, and your children for so long. And why you seem to care more about getting a doctor to "see they have issues" than caring for yourself and your own family.
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Your husband is right. Leave them to suffer the consequences of their actions.
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It can be heartbreaking to want to help someone who doesn't want help or save someone who doesn't want to be saved. Or even just steer them towards positive change.

Have you considered an AL-Anon Family support group?

I don't have experience here, hopefully others that do will come along soon.

I would imagine accepting where they & limiting contact may be key.
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I agree with your husband completely. Walk away. Stop co-ing them. Leave them to themselves. You cannot save others. Join Al-Anon which will give you enormous support. Do not get POA. Do not attempt to speak with their doctors. You are not in charge of their choices. Walk away, save your family from a history of alcoholism and concentrate on YOUR OWN FAMILY. They are your responsibility. WALK AWAY NOW. You can't change others; you CAN save yourself and your family. Now, then; it's your choice.
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cherokeegrrl54 Jun 2021
Im positive AlvaDeer meant to say….they are NOT your responsibility…….
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I have many family members who are and were alcoholics (some now gone), and it was driving me crazy. I went to Al-Anon and it helped me tremendously. It may help you, too.
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