My father was diagnosed with terminal emphysema from smoking in 1966, but survived until 2011. He was also an alcohol addict.

I wish that he had received no treatment and died within years of his diagnosis. It was a great disappointment when he didn't die within 10 years as predicted. He did life long damage to his family, with no redeeming behaviour, ever.

When I was 14 he asked if I would come and see him if I heard that he was dying and wasn't in the same town as him. I said no and I did not go to see him in 2011 when one of my siblings told me he was in hospital. Neither he or my mother have known my address since 1990. Life is much better that way.

Sometimes the healthiest thing for you to do is to walk away from addicted family members and stay away from them.

They are dead people walking and the words you hear from them are simply the addiction making a noise before the end, not anything honest or sincere. If you trust them you will always be disappointed.