Helping a family member recover from alcoholism

[Dominus]

I quickly mentioned in another thread about this.

This past Monday, almost my entire family got together for an intervention. My brother has been an alcoholic for a long time. Years. It has gotten really bad the last year.

We had a couple intervention counselors with us. My brother has always been someone with the biggest ego and the hardest head I know. Since the counselors couldn't force my brother to do anything, and there wasn't enough cause to force him into anything, they had to leave. The family, including his 2 adult children, spent about 4 hours trying to convince him to go to ER. We finally got him to agree.

This was Monday. They drew his blood and got the result of a BAC of 2.8. That's after at least 7 hours of not drinking anything.

They admitted him and he is now detoxing in the hospital. We are taking turns staying with him.

He is now going through withdrawal. They have been checking his blood regularly and giving him medication to help with the withdrawal. He's got elevated blood pressure, heartrate, and temperature. And his hands are shaking. He has trouble controling his bodily functions. He has to use a walker to go to the bathroom. He is only 50, but oh my goodness he seems like an 80 year old.

Addiction is no fun. If you think you are addicted to something or have a family member that has an addiction, try to get help ASAP!

Our next goal is to get him into a rehab facility for at least a month long program.

 

[unloadonme]

The very best of luck. Your brother must want to quit for any treatment to be effective. If he's just bowing to family pressure, there's a strong risk that he'll be back on the sauce as soon as the coast is clear.

 

[Dargelos]

That is exactly what I was going to say. I used to drink a lot, I stopped when I wanted to stop for myself, not for anybody else. Appeals of 'what about your family' 'what about your job' 'what about your friends' do more harm than good. He has control his drinking for his own sake, so he himself will feel better, look better, live longer and have some money to spend. Do not ever make him feel guilty for all the problems he has caused. Don't even expect any thanks. True friendship is unconditional, I am certain that you will be the truest of friends.

 

[LeicsDom]

I used to smoke. For 44 years.
My Doctors had been telling me for years how bad it was for y health but I always countered with 'But I enjoy it'
I knew it was bad for me but I was never ready to quit.
Then several factors occurred at the same time and I finally quit. But, as has been said above, it didn't matter what anyone else told me, I had to wait til I wanted to quit for it to work.
Quitting happened 18 years ago this October and I haven't been tempted to start again.
Good luck with the OP's brother

 

[rareboy]

It sounds as though the 'fun' was gone from being a 'functional' alcoholic.

Alcoholism runs in our family genes, so I am always aware of the slipperiness of that slope.