I know it's a big risk asking this question on the LR message board, but I'm going to take a shot just because I know there's a lot of traffic here that represents many people with many life experiences. Here goes...
I've been developing a friendship with someone for several months, and it has reached a point where we are starting to date casually. About two hours prior to our most recent planned date, she sent me a text saying that she was sorry but had to cancel. No explanation, and no answer to my follow-up text and phone call.
Our kids happen to play on the same sports team, and I saw her father at a game the next day. I asked if she was coming to the game, and he proceeded to confide in me that she had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years and currently was suffering withdraw symptoms as she tried to get sober. I had no clue and was completely floored.
She did in fact come to the game long enough to watch her kid play, and she apologized for breaking our date. She knew her father had spoken with me, but she didn't elaborate much more on her own. (Not that I expected her to; she was obviously not feeling well and barely keeping it together.)
Anyway, I didn't know quite know what to say. I basically said that the revelation did nothing to change my feelings for her, and I added that I would help in any way I could.
So here's my question to those of you who have experience with this sort of thing: What do I do now? I'm not sure whether to give her space, or continue to verbally offer my support, or act like it's business as usual so she doesn't get self-conscious or what.
If you have any advice or can refer me to a message board more appropriate for such questions, I am very interested. (Incidentally, Google searches aren't turning up an message boards where this question would be more at home.)
I know this type of thing invites a lot of jokes and smart-a$$ replies, but I am truly interested in legitimate responses. Thanks.