Startman - there is no excuse for your drinking - not then, not now, not tomorrow. Frankly, it occurs to me that either your mom is right, your aunt is right, or a little of both. Regardless, none of it has anything to do with you. Your mom took your money, if not her, it may have been the tax man. If not him, then maybe a card game. Regardless, that money is gone. Chasing it is only an excuse to drink. I for one would love to see you share your strategy on getting with your child, finding a place and work. Finding lost money isn't a strategy.
I guess the bottom line on opinion of the situation? Who cares, it's not at all relevant to moving your ball forward and your sobriety.