My friend spent 2 months in hospital over the summer due to liver failure from excessive drinking and was very close to leaving this world. During their recovery, they made a promise to never touch alcohol again and for 4 months they honoured their word. However, these past few weeks they have regressed back to their old habits and they have been on a heavy drinking binge for 5 days. We are very worried that they will end up in hopsital or worse. If there is anyone out there who has experience of or knowledge of a similar situation, we desperately need your advice on how to try help them and rid them of alcoholism once and for all before it gets them.
2007-01-23 05:25:29 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
My friend help is here.
An addict is probably best described 'as the genuine person you will never know'.
BUT - you can get round this with fairly simple techniques.
WHY - you are in contact with a turnaround Alcoholic who never expected it to happen to him.
HOW - this very much depends upon the current situation, only partially described in your call for help.
You sound very genuine, and as a reformed - failed - reformed again self-admitting ex. alcoholic I am more than prepared to help you, to repay those who pulled me through.
My personal details are for you to use at your discretion:
E/M kerosola@yahoo.co.uk
M/T 07879 - 898020
I am available if you seriously want to help your friends - believe me though highly successful in life I know exactly where 'HELL' is and just how many times you might pass through it before you engage 'FLIGHT' mode and drag yourself out of a hole, that 'NORMAL' people will never understand.
My thoughts for success are with you, you and your friends can do it, and believe me it is truly worth it.
Regards
Keith
2007-01-23 05:42:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry about your friend I had a friend years ago she was the same, her liver was very bad I did try to help her and I got her to come with me to the CAS it was an awful time she did want to stop only said she couldn't, that is the sad thing about people with this problem she even hated herself I gave her lots of support only it was no good ,sadly to say she died 4yrs ago her liver just couldn't take no more she died a few months before her daughter got married it was all so sad and even now it hurts. They have to want to stop only they do need professional help maybe if you get in touch with their GP they will give you a contact you can talk to they won't give you any info on the person but it's a start. I always say now unless you have walked in someone else's shoes please don't judge nobody knows what is ahead of them some can cope others not Good Luck hope your friend takes all the help you can get.
2007-01-23 06:48:45 · answer #2 · answered by Bernie c 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an unfortunate truth that only the addict can decide to quit. As both a surgical nurse and an addiction researcher, I have seen many people continue to damage their health despite serious threat to life. I understand how you feel. Its very hard to watch someone do that to themselves. Ultimately, all you can do is provide quiet support, making your feelings and worries clear but not putting too much pressure on them. Addicts drink to medicate themselves against the world. The last thing you want to do is add fuel to the fire. You need to understand that your friend is dependent on alcohol. They can't help but want it. Their system needs it to function now and withdrawal is a very unpleasant experience. The patient can experience pain, tremors and even psychosis. It is likely that fear of this withdrawal process, guilt and low self esteem is preventing he/she from facing their relapse but they are the only person who can make the decision to quit. Be understanding, tell them everyone slips up but its important not to give up on the whole thing. Perhaps suggest joining an alcoholics support group such as AA or a period of inpatient rehabilitation with an organisation like Promis. Local addiction advice lines will inform you of such services in your area. There are also support groups for friends and family of alcoholics. This may help you vent some of your frustration and get useful advice from people in the same position as you. The only other thing you can do is try and break the habit of drinking. Avoid activities and situations where alcohol is present when in their company. Try and distract them with other interests.
I'm afraid that's all you can do. Keep an eye on them, particularly watching out for signs of jaundice such as yellowing around the eyes and skin irritation. Support them as much as you can and praise up any progress. I'm sorry to say that alcoholism is never "cured". It becomes an ingrained psychological mechanism. The best one can hope for is that they can successfully avoid alcohol altogether.
2007-01-23 06:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by queenbee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Been through a similar experience. A friend was an alcoholic and got v.ill from it. He started having fits and was hospitalised. After a while of not drinking we thought he'd got it under control but it turned out he was drinking at home then going to pub and drinking squash. Its gone worse since and even though people have spoken to him about it, he still denies it. Alcohol ruins lives, he almost lost his son and job. I think the best thing you can do is try to talk about it. The person has to realise that they have to give up or will lose everything, including possibly their life. But it must come from them, you cant try to force it or they will hate you. Good luck, we're still trying to help so I no its hard.
2007-01-23 05:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by Bef 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to your friend and mention going to AA. Rehab would be even a better choose. Explain to your friend that you love and care about them very much and you only want to help.
My brother is currently in rehab for alcohol. He has been in for 3 weeks and should get out in about 3 more. It's tough, but its working. He got a liver transplant 2 years ago and even though he went through all the health problems that were caused because of alchohol he still struggles to stay away from it.
2007-01-23 05:38:50 · answer #5 · answered by D City 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You said your friend....then you said "they" and "them" repeatedly......? Who are they and them?
There is nothing you can do. They obviously don't want to stop drinking. They went through rehab and made the choice to go back to drinking. Probably because the liver had recovered a little. Maybe your friend will be back in the hospital when the liver fails again. Maybe then your friend will get into recovery.
2007-01-23 05:30:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion would be what I would like to call shock treatment. In another words, go to the doctor that treated them and ask them for a picture of what this persons liver looks like the last time that they treated them. They should have that. Then take a book or pictures from online that show the progression of where there were to where they are heading. If that don't help them and make them wake up, then nothing will.
2007-01-23 05:29:52 · answer #7 · answered by protruckdriver71 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not as easy as "just wanting to quit"! It is a disease, and an addiction. Some people are born with a gene that makes them more vulnerable and they can't quit without lots of help. The best thing for you to do is get your friend into a rehab program and some AA meetings afterwards. The AA meetings help big time cause they can discuss it with people going or gone through the same thing and not have to hear stuff like ; " You have to WANT to quit". It's much harder for some. Good luck,.
2007-01-23 05:38:22 · answer #8 · answered by lovetoclimb2000 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend
Be prepared for the worst as 'they' will put themselves there before they cure themselves. My father was 37 when he quit drink, supposedly for good, couple of slips but nothing too serious.
Your friend is going to do the same. Dont expect miracles. They never happen.
Good luck for the future.
2007-01-23 06:57:18 · answer #9 · answered by Fluffy Bum 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let me tell you. once a alcoholic always a alcoholic. knowing they have quit for 2 months and then started up again shows they cannot quit on there own. they need to get into rehab. not for a short time. but an extended time. it takes will power. if your liver breaks down fron alcohol. if you quit your liver acturally restores itself. unless it is to damaged to repair. hopefully this isnt the case. please have them check into rehab. its there only choice. no one can do it for them. good luck
2007-01-23 05:40:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋