Mum won't admit she's an alcoholic?

Don't worry babe, I've been in the exact same position.

My mum's had the same problem but successfully given up drink, so I have a bit of experience and she also didn't admit to the problem open handedly. I think thats the hard bit.

There is a distinction to be made between a physical and psychological dependence on drink. Physical suggests you are a serious alcoholic, the shaky hands business as soon as you lay off, the dry skin if you gave up etc... whereas people with psychological dependence wouldn't have those problems. (this is what I have understood, but I am no expert) People with a pyschological dependence on drink could possibly go without it, but drink still fills a purpose for them, they are drinking for the wrong reasons and it is still a problem. Whereas people with full physical dependence are at risk of extreme side effects if they suddenly gave up possibly death and would have to go on a special programme.

From the sounds of it your mum has a psychological but not physical dependence. Would you say she drinks to help her deal with life? Her condition is a better position to be in than if she was physically dependant, but you are right she must first accept that she DOES have a problem and then address it.

X

My mum is the same. ****ed up childhood, drinks too much, wont listen to anyone. I gave up on her years ago.

I am tempted to just let her get on with it but it's too painful to watch. Especially when she's drunk and crying about something -_-

Just try sitting down and telling her not in an angry way in a genuinely concerned way, not when she's had a drink when she's sober. I've been through it myself my mum was an alcoholic for 9 years and what you described is exactly what she was like at the start.
If she doesn't listen then you have to confide in someone close who might be able to help, then if they can't do anything, then you need to get nurses and people involved, cause she may feel like she doesn't have a problem and that she's in control, but that's what alcoholism does to a person. If you do have to get nurses and people involved, she will be angry, but don't let it get to you, it's just the alcohol after treatment and everything shell forgive you and realise you did it for a good reason

I have tried to talk to her so many times, so has my dad and her sister but she just complains that we are nagging her. How would I go about getting more help? What can they do? They aren't going to section her for drinking too much and I just don't think she'll co-operate.

They won't section her no, she'd have to be a danger to herself and others around, but if you go into the doctors book an appointment for yourself, then when your their express your concerns about your mum and ask what of can do, then they should (hopefully) give you contacts to ring, ring them and explain the situation. If they say your mum has to go to them, then just ask her as if she'll just go try for one session and that's it, if she's not happy she doesn't have to do it again. Just tell her it'll put you at ease but remember you always have to talk about this stuff when she's sober, that's when shell be most co operative and actually listen to you.
I remember when I was younger I used to pour all her alcohol away or hide it in another place, would have to take all her cards and money and shed be so angry, but then once the alcohol was out her system it was like having my mum back again and she listened and actually tried to get help, now it was a long battle a very long battle, but never give up with it, there's always something you can try do you've just got to be positive and I know it sounds stupid, how can you be positive in a situation like that? But it's all you can do and it's what will help you get through the hard time.
Cause if she does agree and she does begin to quit then it will get worse for a bit and there's a lot of fighting, but after the few months of pain then you'll finally have your mum back