My father is a man of principles and has always encouraged us to lead an honest life. He has led a life free of addiction. Lately, however, he comes home drunk. It isn’t regular yet but I can see him steadily progressing towards addiction. It breaks my heart. He says it is tension at work. How can I help him?

Name and address withheld

You can’t do anything. It must be fun watching him come though. And he perhaps gets drunk because he has been abstaining for so long which is why we encourage people to drink and smoke. These are healthy habits. Far better than cheating on your wife or playing poker or joining politics. If you drink and smoke you are also ensured of longevity. Churchill lived well past 80 and he also had a war to win for England. Your father only needs to reach home so stop being a sissy and, by the way, go have a drink or two on me.

I am ashamed of my father. He left us for another woman. I stay with my mother and younger brother now. Finally, after a long struggle, we have started living a normal life. But my father’s darling doesn’t seem to like that either. She is harassing us repeatedly. She calls up at odd hours and abuses us. My father, of course, has chosen to remain quiet and the horrible woman makes life difficult for us. How should we teach her a lesson?

Name and address withheld

What’s with all the fathers getting slack this week. Are we approaching Father’s Day by any chance? Look, as far as this other woman is concerned, just go up to her and give her a tight slap and then abuse her. Nothing should prevent you from doing that. If she can be abusive, so should you be. There is nothing to be squeamish about as far as this is concerned. Though I am sure even you know, your father is the biggest wimp of them all but if that makes you happy, what can we say?

HELP AT HAND

Alcoholics anonymous

10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25,
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: akolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)

Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)

Ph : 8420738682
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org

Narcotics anonymous

(Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts

HelpAge India

1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies

Lifeline Foundation

Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)

Sparsha

AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mondays through Fridays)