My Dad Has Been An Alcholic For 20 Years. Is There A Way To Stop Him Now?

Question

My father has been an alcoholic for 20 years. He says he'll stop, but it seems like a metaphor. He has been sent to prison, rehab, and almost got himself killed. At this point, will he stop or continue what he's best at: drinking.

Answer 1

Sad to say but there is not much you can do to stop him, he may stop, but only when he wants to. You can support him when he is making an effort to stop, but don't get drawn in when he is not, and dont take it personal. Sometimes when you break a habit you also have slips, you know your Dad well enough to know if he is outright lying to you believe him when he say's he will quit, again and again. Best of luck to you and your Dad.

Answer 2

One of the first things to remember is that he will always be an alcoholic, but he can stop drinking. Alcoholism is a condition of addiction to alcohol. Some people are very sensitive to it. Many have help by changing their diet. I have read that cutting down on sugar can help (even though it is hard at first..we all love Twinkies...).
My brother hasn't had a drink in almost 20 years now.

Answer 3

Same thing has happened to a father that I know. It took a trip to the hospital becuse his liver was failing. The doctors tolls him he had a choice drink & DIE or quit. remarkably he quit, same thing with smoking, he had a heart attack. Quit smoking or die! He quit smoking too. No he doesn;t do much at home maybe bake something or watch TV. doesn't go anywear. The way I figure it...He has had the TWO things he loved removed from his every day life, Smoking & drinking. Some people can quit but peprepared for those consequeses as well! Think about it. some one who will live longer and be depressed or someone who is a drunk pain in the *** allready. You make the choice. Believe me it's not an easy desision to make for someone you love.

Answer 4

It's hard to say what your dad will decide to do. Sure you can talk it over with him but you know as well as I do that he may promise the world but when given the opportunity the addiction is too strong. Maybe you should investigate going to Al-ateen or Al-anon meetings for yourself in order to better understand the problem drinker and help yourself. I have been sober for a number of years and can tell you that I know lots of people who don't drink and enjoy life. But when I and they quit it wasn't because we wanted to quit, it was because we wanted to get the cops off our back, get our wives back, get employer off our back etc. So until your dad has hit his own rock bottom, and it is different for different people, he will probably continue. Wish I could give you a more postive response but that is the reality as I know it. Hopefully you can find others that are experiencing the same things that you are and can have an outlet to exchange ideas. Either that or talk with your family doctor, your mom or a counsellor at school. Best of luck to you and I truly hope that your dad can very soon lead a sober life.

Answer 5

Your father is the only one who can stop himself from drinking. My dad was an alcoholic for over 20 years and 8 years ago he had enough and quit. He had lost everything by then but we have developed a great relationship since he quit drinking. You may want to tell your father you only want a relationship with him if he is sober but I had to wait over 10 years for that to happen. Good luck and remember to take care of yourself.

Answer 6

I feel for you. Its really hard to watch someone you love self destruct. If he says he'll stop, it means he must at least realise he has a problem which is a start. You could try having a talk and trying to understand where this all started. What was the event in his life he hasn't dealt with, this could be anything from job loss to a death of a loved one, (and anything in between). Helping him to find the cause, could just be what helps him find the solution. Good luck and remember you can HELP others but you can really only CHANGE yourself so he needs to this "alone" with you "by his side"

Answer 7

Yuor dad will only stop, sadly, when he is truely ready to stop. To help yourself, you should get some counseling about alcoholism. AA I believe, as well as other organizations, have groups for those whose loved ones are alcoholics. It helps you to come to terms with their illness, understanding it as well, and gives oyu the opportunity to tlak to others who may in your same situation. I would encourage you to check it out. Your father can always chose to get treatment and be alcohol free- but it will be an every day battle that he must commit to and want.

Answer 8

I don't believe that anyone can stop for another person. Your dad has to reach the point where he wants and needs to stop for himself. Have you considered that a family intervention may help him realize what he's doing to himself and everyone close to him? I know from first hand experience that interventions do work but your dad has to be ready for it. I wish you well.

Answer 9

I can't ans-wear if he will ever stop drinking. I know this is hard to go threw my mother use to drink a lot. And then abuse my sisters and I.

But then one day she stopped drinking as much. I think something happened and it made her stop and really look at things.

I can say this just stay out of his way when he is drinking, so that you will not get hurt. Alcoholics can be unpredictable at times.

It is OK, to still love him!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Alcoholics only stop drinking when they hit rock bottom and realize their life has amounted to nothing. It's a difficult place to reach because they have to admit failure, defeat and helplessness. Make sure you are not enabling him in any way. In other words, don't provide money for his next drink, make excuses for him, etc. etc. You probably aren't