Nearing rock bottom

Dear Readers: I wish you all an enjoyable Easter and Passover. Thank you so much for the joy you bring me through my column each week.

Dear Annie: My 40-year-old son is an alcoholic. He recently went through a divorce and is currently living with my husband and me.

I am reaching out to you and your readers to see what I can do. He refuses to go to rehab — he’s been twice — and I worry that he will drink himself to death.

We have tried everything, from tough love (kicked him out) to trying to help and understand his pain and being there for him.

I am just so heartbroken. — Out of Options

Dear Out of Options: I’m so sorry for all the suffering you and your son have endured. Alcoholism, like many other diseases, often affects not only the alcoholic but also the entire family and group of friends. I recommend you try Al-Anon, a support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s alcoholism.

Dear Annie: My boyfriend, “John,” and I have been together for 2 ½ years.

The other day, he surprised me by announcing to our friends, “She doesn’t want kids!” When I asked him about it the next day, he basically said he doesn’t see me as a parent. This took me aback.

I love this man very much.

But I’m at a loss for words. I know I would make a good mom someday, when the time is right, but evidently, John doesn’t think so. — Family Matters

Dear Family Matters: Evidently, John has no consideration for your feelings. Maybe he was projecting his own fears of not being a good fathe. But the way he handled this was unkind. Tell him you won’t tolerate those types of comments and to keep private matters between the two of you.

Send questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com