Terrible day yesterday!

[bmony]

I went and visited my uncle yesterday and finally realized the extent of his alcoholism! He is drinking one of the huge bottles of cheap whiskey a day and constantly talks about how he is worthless and wants to die. He thinks his two kids don't love him anymore. He hasn't eaten for four days or taken his high blood pressure pills for who knows how long.

He's been to treatment 3 times, once his ex-wife and kids called 911 as he was threatening suicide. He just gets angry and starts drinking again as they let him go after 72 hours because he has to voluntarily stay when he sobers up. His second sponsor said he has to hit rock bottom, which I though losing his job would be, and want to help himself.

I always knew alcoholism was real but have never experienced it quite like this before. I was up most of the night feeling powerless as thought back to yesterday and arguing with him and unable to get through. I feel terrible for his two kids as they are in college and having to deal with this!

If you suspect someone as having a problem get to them as soon as possible why you still might be able to reason with them. It's sad as I looked up to him growing up and to see how feeble he has become.

 

[Jonathan Drew]

Bmony.

This is obviously none of my business, but if you can find the time and or resources ..Fight for him. Call him, go there, do what you can do. Very sad to hear indeed. Wish him, and you the best, brother.

JD

 

[gentimmy]

Addiction runs deeper than most understand...unfortunately I've witnessed it with a variety of substances. Like JD said, fight for him...but sometimes you just have to give them an ultimatum. Show him what life CAN be (this may mean involving his children), and hope that he gains a new appreciation.

Good Luck, man

 

[JP8]

Bmony.

This is obviously none of my business, but if you can find the time and or resources ..Fight for him. Call him, go there, do what you can do. Very sad to hear indeed. Wish him, and you the best, brother.

JD

^^^this^^^

I feel your pain. My father spent the last years of his life drinking vodka from morning until night. I hope you can pull him out of this. I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

[CigarSaint]

Keep your head up and support/pray for him as much as you can.

 

[srduggins]

Sounds like he has given up on life. Give him a reason to live and help him fight his way back.

 

[cvm4]

If you want him to live then you have to be there for him to see him through this. Left alone he'll just implode.

 

[jwintosh]

tough road. the high one usually is. God bless.

 

[CWS]

You can't reason with an an active alcholic. I know because that was me. Seek out an Alanon group. Alanon is a group made up of people that are relatives of or related/attached some way to an alcoholic. They will help you understand what you can do. They will also help your understand what you can't do and how to live with that. You are not alone. God go with you.

 

[Alwayslit]

Seek out an Alanon group. Alanon is a group made up of people that are relatives of or related/attached some way to an alcoholic. They will help you understand what you can do. They will also help your understand what you can't do and how to live with that. You are not alone. God go with you.

^^^this^^^ and prayers sent.

 

[bmony]

Thanks for the support and kind words.

I am pretty sure he is at rock bottom as I received the phone call I've been dreading. He attempted suicide yesterday and is at the hospital in stable condition. He is going through several days of detoxification then will be committed to a mental insitution for an extended period of time.

After not getting much sleep yesterday as my mind wouldn't shut off and going through intense periods of guilt I think that this is best as he will be forced to get the mental treatment he wouldn't accept. Now that myself and his siblings know about his problem he will have a big support network when he does get out.

I just might go and talk to the counselor I spoke with last year after my divorce to get my head back on straight next week.

I am atheist/agnostic but I even thanked god last night for not letting him pass away!!!

 

[rduke10]

I hope this will turn his life around and I do pray for you and the family to keep him strong and help him recover.

 

[smelvis]

Being an old drunk who realized it early enough to not have to hit bottom I still went thru the steps and quit in 86. He won't listen to anyone until he is ready I hate to say it but like my niece with a meth issue I helped paid her rent did what I could, in the end I had to tell this Beautiful wonderful kid who was 32 at the time no more and call me when your clean. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

But it was the right thing to do as much as it hurts. he may end up dead and sorry to be so blunt but if he doesn't want help you are just hurting yourself and those who are also helping.

Sorry man it's tough and I have buried a lot of friends who never hit bottom. Good luck. And to end on a positive note I Thank God with tears in my eye's as I say she is clean now been so for a couple years, the ugly scars are mostly gone and she again is my Beautiful Niece.

Good Luck and God Bless Man!

 

[mwlabel]

I'm wishing you nothing but the best brother. Alcoholism has taken over many members of my family, so I get an idea where you're coming from.
I'm glad he is in stable condition now. Hopefully things turn for the better!