I can’t cope with my binge drinking, verbally abusive mother in law

DEAR DEIDRE: The insults my mother-in-law yells at my girlfriend are getting me down.

We are both women and she has made it very obvious she doesn’t approve.

Last night she slurred that we’ll never amount to anything and “won’t ever be parents”. She’s usually drunk and is a vile person.

I’m 30 and my partner is 32. We live with her parents while saving for a house.

We knew she was a drinker but didn’t realise how bad it was until we started finding empty bottles around the place.

The recycling bin is almost full on a weekly basis because we think she’s drinking two to three bottles of wine a night.

She then goes on these drunken rants, shouting at the family. I feel for my partner’s dad. He’s 62, kind and spends a lot of time apologising.

She’s 59 and is pushing the family away, not least my partner, who gets so upset when her mother makes comments about us not having kids.

DEIDRE SAYS: It can’t be easy for you to sit by and see your partner bearing the brunt of her mother’s abuse.

Talk to your partner, and her father, about getting support through Adfam (adfam.org.uk). Their trained counsellors can help deal with a family member who drinks too much.

My support pack Dealing With A Problem Drinker is also full of tips and advice.