She needs help, but we don't know what to do or where to go?

[Samantha]

My aunt Vicki is an alcoholic, and she went into AA about 13 years ago, and she was completely sober for 13 years, until just this year, and she's gotten out of control. Just 9 months ago she got it into her head that she was going to lose weight, and she did, but I noticed that she was a different person, in a bad way. She was never into the 21st century music, well, just wasn't into music! That doesn't sound big to you, but it's a big thing for her, she's a Jehovah's Witness, (I'm not), not baptized, but still studies. She got addicted to Facebook, and her reasoning for that was that it kept her busy, and it kept her from eating as much as she used to, and she used the excuse that it helped her lose weight, which is a ridiculous claim. She stopped studying with the JW's, which is HUGE for her. She got so obsessed with losing weight, and in October she resorted to drinking mouthwash that has alcohol in it, got drunk, and didn't do that for a while, or as far as I know she didn't, and I was fooled for a while, thinking she was truly happy, until just yesterday, she resorted to drinking again, but this time we're not sure what she got into, I think it's beer because she said on Facebook: "3 more down, tons more to go". My friend Samantha went over there yesterday, and Vicki's son Brandon ran up to her, and said "Samantha! Samantha! Hug? Mom's really drunk." He's 9 years old. Vicki was sleeping on the couch, and she got up, and Samantha wasn't sure where she went, she couldn't find her anywhere, then she went back to sleep on the couch. Then she got back up, and she knew Samantha was leaving, and she usually says goodbye to Samantha at the door, but this time she didn't. Samantha's afraid to talk to her about it, because she knows Vicki will get mad, but what can we do? Where can we go for help?

[Jennifer]

Awwww....this is truly heartbreaking to read.I'm a recovering addict myself,and I've been sober/clean now for 3 years(this January).So,I know how you must feel,and your family must be feeling as well....Your aunt Vicki has gotten herself addicted to the internet(Facebook),this does happen often with any addict,we get ourselves addicted to other things outside of our 'real' addiction.And,for Vicki? It was alcohol,so she got addicted to the internet,and also...this whole losing weight thing has also gotten way out of control(just like her drinking).Make sense?With us addicts? We will become addicted to ANYTHING!! Whether it be internet/food/dieting/people..basically anything you could possibly think of? We can get addicted to!! And,as for your aunt Vicki? Someone has to intervene...someone has to at least confront here with her drinking..before it gets so out of control.It's best to confront her while she is sober,that way she will have better insight as to what she's doing to herself and her family(her son/children).You aren't going to be able to commit her..I mean..place her into rehab.That's going to have to come from Vicki herself,and it's possible if someone confronts her soon enough..she might commit herself..seeing how she just started drinking again after being sober for 13 years.I strongly advise that someone confront your aunt very soon,and when she IS sober.This will be a better impact on Vicki...and I suggest that an ADULT confront Vicki,and NOT a teenager/child.This could only make matter worse...an adult would be much better,an adult confronting Vicki,and have the adult explain to Vick that what she's doing is going to once again...destroy her family all over again.It would really help if this family member(the 1 who confronts Vicki) speak with an AA member or calls Vicki's AA sponser.I wish your family and especially Vicki ALL the best,and I really hope that Vicki can get herself sober once again,for herslef and for her families sake.