How do I help my dad?

[crg1]

I am a 32 year old married mother of two. I have a career and home and should be quite satisfied with my life. But I am not. My father, who was always larger than life for me, is an addict in every sense of the word. To give a quick history he and my mother split after 26 years of marriage 16 years ago now. Ever since then he has been in a downward spiral and is now homeless. Over the last 11 years things really started getting bad with prescription pills which led to him losing his job of 31 years. He then has moved from job to job and onto whatever drug he can find. Unfortunately, I think now its crack cocaine. He has been involved in AA and placed in several sober living programs just to screw up again and be kicked out of all of these. He has picked up 3 white chips in the last 2 years. My husband and I even had him living with us for about a year but then when my son was born knew we could not have that in our house and he had to go. It pains me to kick my dad out and even more to know that come monday he will once again not have anywhere to lay his head at night. I know he has done this to himself but that fact does not make it any easier for me to accept. I don't know if any of this makes sense but I feel so lost and do not know what to do or if there's anything I can do to help without causing more harm. Please help.

[carol]

crg1, so sorry you have to go through this. Patrick has a great article which you may find helpful at

http://www.spiritualriver.com/i-have...-to-help-them/

Also I suggest you read thru some of th threads you find here. You're not alone. Unfortunately there aren't any easy fixes, but you know that. Your #1 priority has to be you and your family. Your instincts that to protect your son you have to kick your dad out are good ones. Trust yourself and don't feel guilty (easier said than done, I know). Good luck!