How do you react to the alcoholic's drinking? Could your reaction be a part of the overall problem? Have you fallen into "role playing" in the family? Is there anything that you can do to improve the situation?
There is no doubt in my mind that alcoholism is a family disease. Everyone in the family unit is insane as we try to prevent, hide, or even cause the crises surrounding the alcoholic. There is MOST DEFINATELY something you can do to improve the situation: seek help for YOURSELF. Read the messages here, read about others' recovery as they share their experience, strength and hope, go to Alanon, go to meetings, read literature, talk with someone who lives(d) with active alcoholism and is in recovery. Living with alcoholism will always be painful. We have a choice what to do with that pain.