In a recent column, Dear Abby offered guidance on two challenging personal situations: a husband grappling with his wife's past infidelity with a friend and a mother seeking advice for her son's ongoing struggle with alcoholism.
One reader, identified as "Broken Trust in New York," recounted a painful history with his wife. While the couple was separated and attempting reconciliation, the wife engaged with two men who were friends of the husband. Years later, after the couple had seemingly moved past the initial difficulties, the wife confessed to having an affair with one of these individuals. The husband expressed feelings of betrayal and a loss of trust, questioning the future of the marriage. Dear Abby advised the reader that ending a long marriage might not be the immediate solution and suggested considering marriage counseling to address the issue.
Another letter came from a "Stressed Mom in New York" whose 31-year-old son lives at home while struggling with a recurring drinking problem. The son, who has an associate's degree and is back in college, has not maintained steady full-time employment. His mother noted that he can become mean when intoxicated and that he drinks approximately 12 days a month. She sought advice on how to help him stop drinking. Dear Abby recommended that the parents attend Al-Anon meetings for support and suggested setting a deadline for their son to enter an alcohol rehabilitation program and secure a full-time job, with the consequence of moving out if he fails to comply. The columnist emphasized that the parents' enabling kindness may have perpetuated his unhealthy lifestyle.