Brother’s Alcohol Addiction. Please help!?

Question by Emily Summers: Brother’s Alcohol Addiction. Please help!?
I don’t know where to turn. To shorten a very long story as best as I can my 24 year old brother is a severe alcoholic, he does nothing but drink and if he doesn’t drink he has seizures. These seizures have racked up hospital bills that he will never be able to pay since he can never get a job because his problem is debilitating. I think he started drinking because he has an anxiety problem. He used to be a star baseball player and a “normal” person, but for the last five or so years has basically been ghost who has no real life and no future…it breaks my heart every time I see him. It’s killing him and ruining my family. We do not have a lot of money, but I’m willing to find a way to get it if necessary and the only detox he has ever been to was literally in the ghetto and it was a terrible situation so we don’t want him to go back there. I guess I just don’t know what to do, does anyone know how to get him help or have ever been in a smilar situation who can help?

Best answer:

Answer by Nurses are Angels
The textbook definition of alcohol addiction, also referred to as alcoholism, is the dependence on alcohol. The consumption of which is marked by obsession and compulsion and adversely affects behavior and social or work functions. It produces withdrawal symptoms when intake is stopped or greatly reduced. However, if you are an alcoholic or a person directly involved with a person with an alcohol addiction, you know that it is more to alcoholism then the textbook definition.

Alcohol addiction affects more than a person’s state of mind, but there whole life. The dependency for alcohol can become uncontrollable, in fact an earmark of addiction is the loss of control. Alcohol is one of the main causes of car accidents and accidental deaths. Many families, friends, co workers are affected daily by this illness. 1 out of 3 people know someone who suffers from alcohol addiction.

There are several things you can do, if you notice someone either has an alcohol addiction or is on their way to developing an alcohol addiction.
The first step is to talk with the person. Speak calmly and clearly, it’s best if you do not try to talk to them when they are intoxicated. Let this person know how much you care about them and about what they are going through. . Alcoholics are usually victims of a life changing event, crime, or some sort of violent or traumatic experience. Let them know that they can talk to you and depend on you to be there for them. The next step is to address the problem. Express your concerns with the issue in hand. The two of you can work together to develop strategies and alternatives to dealing with the problem.

If the first two steps do not seem productive, speaking with another family member may show more beneficial. The next step is to gather and compile information. You can not help someone in this situation without knowing and understanding exactly what it is he or she is going through. Consult a specialist and research alcoholism. A specialist can assist you more effectively on choosing the best care and give you the most practical advice on dealing with a person who suffers from alcohol addiction.

Most importantly, always follow through. Do not attempt to help someone if you can not truly dedicate yourself for the long run. Simply tell someone who can. Alcoholism is an illness and the only way to eliminate an illness is to treat it.

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