Thank you for posting Chimmy.
The alcoholic in my life, my father, never gave up drinking. He lived in another state and I would go up to visit him every year or so. I remember there were some visits where he was actually sober, funny, and pleasant to be around. It would get my hopes up that maybe he could/would turn his life around, but it never happened.
When thinking about my father, I get a lot of strength from the "3 C's"
I didn't cause it.
I can't control it.
I can't cure it.
The serenity prayer also helps me a lot.
I'm sorry about your mom. It must be so hard to have her in/out of your life like that.
Keep reading and posting.
Fondly,
db