Jackass for an uncle? I have one

[imalazypup]

My 30 year old uncle, who I am very close to, has an extremely BAD habit that i can't fix, drunk driving. It absolutely pisses me off to no end when anyone drives drunk, but alas, my dumbass for an uncle(less of an uncle, more of a friend) is doing it maybe twice every month.

He's actually very kind, intelligent man, and this habit really is out of his character. Lack of guidance as a youth i suppose.

What do i do with this guy? I've tried and tried, bar nagging.

[richjorg]

Aside from suggesting going to AA meetings, the only thing that might stop him is getting a DUI. If he is an alcoholic he must decide for himself that he needs to stop; no amount of prodding or nagging will do it.

[CA Fuzz]

My 30 year old uncle, who I am very close to, has an extremely BAD habit that i can't fix, drunk driving. It absolutely pisses me off to no end when anyone drives drunk, but alas, my dumbass for an uncle(less of an uncle, more of a friend) is doing it maybe twice every month.

He's actually very kind, intelligent man, and this habit really is out of his character. Lack of guidance as a youth i suppose.

What do i do with this guy? I've tried and tried, bar nagging.

Every family has a jerk or two. You can't fix his alcohol habit. You can only take away his keys or call the police to warn them that he is out driving. I would have no problem arresting a relative who was deuce. Especially one as you have described. Being arrested is a total wakeup call for a lot of people. (and costly too)

[Orleander]

He's not gonna quit drinking, so work on the driving part. Could you be his designated driver 2x a month? Any other family members?

[Drew27k9]

My 30 year old uncle, who I am very close to, has an extremely BAD habit that i can't fix, drunk driving. It absolutely pisses me off to no end

There is an old saying "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives..Every family has at least one A-hole...

[Toeknee112]

He's not gonna quit drinking, so work on the driving part. Could you be his designated driver 2x a month? Any other family members?

I think this is called "enabling?" Where trying to help someone in this way doesn't really help them in overcoming their problem? I may be wrong...

[Orleander]

You're not wrong, and I think that is the long-term goal, but you can't make someone quit drinking who doesn't want to quit. But if you can make sure he doesn't drunk drive and take someone else's life, then I think you should.

My husband is an alcoholic, sober 6 years. I've been there.

[imalazypup]

He doesn't have a drinking problem, this I know. He doesn't have more than one beer if any on a daily basis, it's when he goes out with his buddies on the weekend. Me and one of my cousins offered to drive him if he ever needs to, but he won't do it.

As far as calling the police, I wouldn't know when to call or where to tell them he is. I don't know when he goes out, i don't know where he goes. I just know that there's been more than one occasion when I or other family members were over his house, and had had come home drunk.

[Toeknee112]

He doesn't have a drinking problem, this I know. He doesn't have more than one beer if any on a daily basis, it's when he goes out with his buddies on the weekend. Me and one of my cousins offered to drive him if he ever needs to, but he won't do it.

As far as calling the police, I wouldn't know when to call or where to tell them he is. I don't know when he goes out, i don't know where he goes. I just know that there's been more than one occasion when I or other family members were over his house, and had had come home drunk.

I think this is called denial. The fact that he drinks and drives is a big indication of an alcohol problem...

[CA Fuzz]

agree with Tonee on this one. The amount doesn't matter. It is really how you act.

[Orleander]

Agree with Tony. If your Uncle gets drunk every time he drinks, he has a problem. Not all alcoholics drink all the time. But once they start drinking, they usually can't stop. That was my husband.

[Scruit]

I am pathalogically anti-DD.... So... Assuming that talking to his doesn't make him stop... I would have a magnetic sign made up that says; "Driver is drunk - call 911". Then, when he goes out drinking, find his car at the bar and stick the sign to the back of it.

After he gets his first DUI he will be forced to re-evaluate his lifestyle choices. :eek:

[wreckageelite]

My biological father was a terrible alcoholic. we would get DUI after DUI...he got thrown in jail many times. The lasst time he was put in jail a very mean man beat the **** out of him to keep from going to a state jail. ever since then he has had to take antiseizure medicine and he can't drink while on that medicine. That was a very hard wake up call for him. I haven't seen or heard from him in 10 years