plonq | Alcoholic

One of my co-workers in an alcoholic.  He hasn't shown up yet today, and it's getting late enough that he probably won't.  I'm sitting here waiting for the phone call.  He always calls me, and it's always the same.  "I'm just leaving the house now.  I'll be there shortly."    Usually he shows up an hour or two after that, but sometimes he just doesn't show.  Generally I get the "I've decided to take a vacation day" call, when he's too drunk to take the bus.

I'm sick of it.  I'm tired of making up excuses when people come looking for him, and it's even worse when he actually comes in because he's almost always loud and argumentative.  On Monday when he came in for half a day (his only appearance so far this week) he was so pissed he couldn't even pour himself coffee.  Half of it ended up on the coffee stand and floor.

Everyone here knows that he's got a problem, but we tiptoe around the issue.  He's the embarrassing uncle that the family never talks about.  I think in part it's because we all share a degree of shame over our inaction, but what can we do?  I could confront him about it, but I have a strong hunch that won't do a whit of good.  I could confront his boss about it, but I'm not sure if that is my place.  I can't call Family Assistance on his behalf because he's the one who has to make that call.

For now I sit here and wait for the call.