Has anyone known an alcoholic who has stopped drinking successfully?

Question

How did they do it and was there anything you could have done to help?

Answer 1

There are several people in my life with drinking problems, my Grandpa is the only success story I know of. They say that there is never a cured alcoholic, they are recovering for the rest of their lives. Alcoholism is a disease, and many people take it lightly because drinking is socially accepted. The way my Gpa stopped was by getting really, really drunk beyond the point of sickness, and he says his secret to 'recovery' was just remembering the feeling of that night. He immediately stopped drinking, and started chewing gum incessedly. He did attend AA mtgs and said that suprisingly, they really did help. He also said that the fact that my Gma attended the alinon mtgs helped alot bc he didn't feel as if he was all alone. You have to remain patient and not stress out the alcoholic to the point that they would want to drink. Remove all alcohol from the house, even if its a wine cooler. Living with an alcoholic is a very difficult thing. I hope this brings some insight. Good Luck

Answer 2

I Think that what the people here have said is very true, they won't change until they want to. At the same time, you can't send the message that you approve of this behavior.

I have a little experience in this. I think that my exhusband is at least border-line alcoholic. Alcohol was not his only addiction though. He did have alcoholism in his family and they say that it is hereditary. It was really hard for me to deal with, because i was always worried about him wrecking the car and getting killed or seriously injured. He was also taking anti-depresents and would not understand how fatal that combination was. I kicked him out once and then when I let him came back, I made it very clear that the next time he drank, would be the last time. The next time I caught him, I kicked him out for good. He is remarried now and claims that he is not drinking anymore and I hope that is true. He says that his new wife would not go out with him unil he quit. I really hope that is true. I just think that we all have to realize that we can't change them, they have to want to change. They have to decide what kind of life they want and then make it work. I think that is true with any addiction.

I think that when they do decide to change, that their spouse should support them as well by not drinking either. I think that it would be extremely difficult for a person to overcome an addiction that is staring them in the face everyday. I would even say that at least for the first little bit, I would request that there be no alcohol at family functions either. People can go without drinking and be just fine. If they love him, they will do it for him.

A support system is very helpful when they are ready to quit. However, those people can't put their lives on hold while they wait for thier loved one to change. sometimes it takes them loosing their families and good friends before they will change. Kenny Chesney has this great song, "the Simple Things" that talks about the things a person looses when they sucumb to alcoholism.

The sad thing is that alcoholism is a TOTALLY preventable condition. If a person NEVER starts dinking, then they will not be an alcoholic. It is that simple.

Answer 3

A friend of mine did it with the aid of AA. So far that is the only way for an alcoholic - I have never heard of another method that helps people stop drinking. He hasn't drank in over 10 years, but he still attends the weekly meetings.
He once told me, '1 drink is too many, and 100 aren't enough. An alcoholic has 3 choices; quit, get arrested, or die.' It's as simple as that.

Answer 4

A friend off mine was nuts on the booze, basically lost everything including the plot. Then he O.D. he went from hospital to rehab and has been living a full life since for the last 7 years. total abstinence is the only way, he wont even have a liqueur chocolate at Christmas. goes to meetings 2 times a week or more if he feels he needs it, was diagnosed obsessive/compulsive which is why he was drinking as much 'K' cider and cheap scotch he could get, coming to work sick as a parrot. if i have even a can and find myself in his company he says how bad my breath is and how I'm 'all over the place' and comments like 'i can see your eye yellows!' and ' look at your greasy skin' so he convinces himself that he is doing the right thing, good for him, it works. there is only one person who can help an alcoholic and that is themselves. going to AA meetings is a good move but you only stop when YOU REALLY WANT TO.

Answer 5

My brother has been in AA for 12 years and has been clean and sober for that same time. I am so proud of him and support him and encourage him as much as I can. I support him the most by understanding how he needs to attend meetings on Holidays or even special family events and has to leave early. AA has not only helped him stop drinking successfully, but he has learned how to be a better person in the process. I love him.

Answer 6

Yes, I had two Aunts who both quit.
I think one joined AA and the other had cancer, so she had to quit.

I was married to two alcoholics and they both said, "I don't have a problem!!!" They have both died!

The person who owns the disease has to be the one who wants to quit. There is nothing you can do except get away from it.

Save yourself and your children the misery. I was with the first one for eight years and the second one for four - but off and on cause I kept leaving him and coming back.(Thinking I could make it better.)

The first one was a successful engineer. The second one had his own contractor business. They had the money to drink and no boss to fire them, so they had no way of getting to the 'bottom of the barrel,' as they say...to make them see they are alcoholics and need to quit.

The contractor always said, "Nothing will stop me but a 3'x6' hole!" And he is laying there in it right now. What a waste. He was a great guy!

Answer 7

My ex husband did, about 5 years before I met him, so I wasn't around for when he quit, but from what he told me, there wasn't really anything anyone else could have done. The main thing is, the person has to be ready and really want to quit. I know he went to a lot of AA meetings and believe he ended up actually running some of them. Also, his best friend got sober around the same time, which I imagine helped re-enforce the decision. I'm not sure how many years it's been, but he is still clean.

Answer 8

Yes, I know a few. Most went to a good AA 12 Step Program which helps to keep you on track. I also know two that did it on their own and they are as follows; one is a 'dry drunk', a miserable fool who traded one addiction for several others and refuses to get help and the other did it through his belief in God and seems to be doing well.

You don't "help" an alcoholic, they have to want to do this on their own and many don't until they hit bottom. You need to get on with your life and let they make their choice. I know that isn't what you want to hear, but that is how it is. I suggest you go to a support group for friends and family of alcoholics. There is also a group for children of alcoholics too.

Alcoholics affect everyone around them in a very negative way. They create and attract 'rescuers' who are needy people themselve who make their own life a mess by always trying to rescue the alcoholics. They enable the alcoholic to continue their destructive life, that is why they are called 'enablers' by professionals. Please don't be one of those.

Answer 9

Yes, and they are still clean and sober. They suffered through the withdrawal with the help of medication,to avoid going through seizures, to keep the blood pressure down,for the shakes,and vomiting.They quit going around people who drank and old places where they drank. Found something that gave them support and put them in a different direction. They went to church, it set the basis for a different way of life for them. It worked for them. Found a outlet for their cravings like gardening,exercise,whatever. Found someone they could could confide in like a councelor or good friend,someone who understands alcoholics and withdrawal. Oh, and forget the nonalcoholic drinks,they are triggers.
The only way I could help is to not drink around them or have it around them,be supportive,and not treat them like there is something wrong with them as if they were a criminal just being released from prison or a terminal patient.If they mess up don't add to their guilt.Be supportive ,let them know that happens sometimes and they just have to try again harder.Have them examine what triggered them so they can avoid it in the future. Invite them to do things that don't involve drinking.Keep them busy but don't let them get too tired. Oh and have candy around,their bodys crave the sugar. Good luck.

Answer 10

My dad stopped drinking. He got really sick and was hospitalized for a long period of time. The doctor told him that if he had one more drink it could kill him.

My foster mom died from drinking. I guess it ate up her liver.

I have quit smoking and I tell you this was the hardest thing that I have ever done. I think the only way you can quit is to take it one day at a time. Join AA and see if they can help. I wish you all the best.