Have you ever been close to an alcoholic?

Ive never drank to say, but my father is and was an alcoholic all my life. I remeber many holidays and even birthdays he was at the bar or a friends house drinking when he should have been home with us. Also one time we missed a vacation because he was late coming home. of course drunk. Hes better now, doesnt really do much drinking anymore. I guess gettin older has taught him. Thank God for that.

my grandparents were alcoholics but they were no different when they were drinking so it didn't really bother me but my father to is an alcoholic and i have not had much to do with him in the past 15yrs i did not talk to him for years but i had my first son and his new girlfriend said he was not drinking so i let him come around and for about a year it was ok till my hubby went to his house one day with my son as planed and he had been drinking again alot and very often so i stopped going around as much till he came to my sons party drunk and that was it i haven't seen or talked to him sense and won't my kids deserve better and i will not allow my kids around it

My younger brother is an alcoholic. He has been through horrible DT's (withdrawal) twice, and was hospitalized in the intensive care unit for 6 weeks this past summer due to liver complications following emergency abdominal surgery. He has not had a drink since he went into the hospital in July, but has now been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices, both of which are a direct result of his alcoholism. He is only 43 years old and may need to go on the liver transplant list in a few years. He absolutely refuses to go to a treatment program or to Alcoholics Anonymous, and frankly I'm tired of pushing it. He has lost many jobs, been arrested for DWI several times, had 2 car accidents, and his wife almost left him because of his drinking. How do I deal with it? I worried myself almost to death for several years when things were at their worst (they live out of state, so a lot of things were hidden from us for a while). I got involved with AlAnon and now know the AA program like the back of my hand. I have read everything I could get my hands on about alcoholism. I have realized that it is all up to him. He has to remain sober for himself. I love him and support him, but if he drinks I will NOT go through his hell with him again. I'll be here on the other side when he's ready. Of course I pray every day that he will have the strengthe to remain sober, and I have faith that he will. I have realized, though, that I have to live my life. I will not let his drinking take over my life ever again.

If you are dealing with alcoholism in a relationship or a family member, get a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous big book (basic text). You can get one cheap at half.com
You will gain so much knowledge and insight into the disease and you will be empowered to help yourself. The alcoholic has to help himself. You have to take care of yourself. I can't stress enough how awesome this book is.
I hope that find a way to deal with this, if that is why you posted this. From personal experience I know that if you don't, it will consume and destroy you as well.

related resource: personal care

i take drinks often,but not an alchoholc..ma favorite is fosters beer n peter scout whisky
i started drinking @ the age of 17 with ma frens..i enjoy having drinks with ma frens

alchohol shudnt b made illlegal,there shud b a control ..uncontrolled drinking causes addiction n then its a seriuos problem
alcolism is maimly caused by mishappenings in people s life that they start continuos drinking..alcohol can free ur mind from problem,but it csnt provide a solution i dont think its hereditary
alcoholism shud b treated...a rehab is enough n more than u shud hav the strong will in stopping it
i had a frend who was alcohlic,but he has gotten over it with our help n support from his family,above all his fierce determinstion