DEAR DEIDRE: I WANT to support my new girlfriend through the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Step programme, but preferably without quitting booze.
She’s 26 and I’m 27.
We went to the same school but we were very different: She was dancing on tables in pubs, I was focused on college and work.
I bumped into her again recently.
She had calmed down and looked great.
We started dating and it’s going well.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20type%3D%22text%2Fjavascript%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.formstack.com%2Fforms%2Fjs.php%2Fdear_deidre_problem%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E%3Cnoscript%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fthesun.formstack.com%2Fforms%2Fdear_deidre_problem%22%20title%3D%22Online%20Form%22%3EOnline%20Form%20-%20Dear%20Deidre%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fnoscript%3E%0A” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]But she just told me she is teetotal and working through the AA steps.
I want to support her but I love drinking when I go out.
Do I have to quit?
[read-more title=”MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE” article_ids=”33100541,33018012″ shortcode_id=”4b2281c5-96e6-4dee-9812-44de2a891727″ /]DEIDRE SAYS: It’s great your girlfriend is working on her alcohol addiction.
There’s no pressure on you to give up totally too, but be mindful that drinking around her, especially at home, will make it harder for her.
Al-anonuk.org.uk (0800 0086 811) supports the partners and families of alcoholics and runs support groups online and in-person.
And my support pack Dealing With A Problem Drinker has more advice.