Advice on Helping a Father Overcome Alcoholism : หน้า 112/207

There was a student who approached Luang Phaw, seeking advice in helping his father to quit drinking, because every time his father was drunk he became violent and would yell at the neighbors. This made the student, and his mother, ashamed and afraid to go outside. This also caused the neighbors to look down on them and be unfriendly. These concerns drove him to seek counsel with Luang Phaw, whom he respected like his own father. The following advice was given in order to ease this student's distress: It is unfortunate that your father is heavily addicted to alcohol. It would be easier to speak about this if it were someone other than your own father. Even before you can finish informing him of your concern, he will probably respond by telling you that you should not be telling him this, and that he has raised you since you were little, when your feet were as small as seashells. Luang Phaw went through this too. Even though I am a Bhikkhu and have taught a great number of people to quit drinking and smoking, it was still difficult when it came to my own family. I would return home and say, "Father, please stop drinking, so that your health can improve. You can use your time to listen to Dhamma, and to meditate." Every time I mentioned this topic I would always get a negative response, but I never gave up. The Warm Hearted Family 223 Children Who Want Their Father to Quit Drinking