I don't know what to do. My dad is a chronic alcoholic. He has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and basically wants to die. The doctors are surprised that he is still living and don't think that things will go too much longer. He is in constant need of medical attention and won't go to get it. I am with him all of the time, I shop, clean, pay his bills to name a few. I am at breaking point. I am sick of being treated like I have to do these things by the rest of the family when really, I don't have to do anything. I love him, I know that he will die soon but I can't do this forever. What should I do?
2007-07-25 22:57:21 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
If he has been drinking for a long period of time, he will require hospitalization to quit. Coming down for alcohol is very dangerous. Take him to the VA hospital if you can get him to go. I'm sorry to hear you are going through this. It is heart breaking enough to see our parents age and or get sick, but to have to watch them self destruct in beyond anything we should have to deal with. You may want to consider going to some Al Anon meetings also. It sounds as if you could use an understanding shoulder. The people there can give you guidance. comfort and many will lend a helping hand.
Good luck to you. Bless you and your father. My thoughts are with you, I truly understand what you are dealing with.
2007-07-25 23:28:09 · answer #1 · answered by justme 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have some other family members that you can share this burden with? I'm sure no one has ever expected you to do all the work. But you need help and you need a break. Remember that it is better for both you and your father that you are well rested and happy.
2007-07-25 23:03:57 · answer #2 · answered by Annie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to his doctor about putting him on Hospice. Some Hospice's provide 24/7 around the clock care in a patient's home.
2007-07-26 01:06:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You already know what to do, from what I can gather, but you feel too guilty.
Instead of devoting your entire day to him or even your entire week. You're going to have to force yourself to stop feeling solely responsible for him, just because no-one else will.
Wean yourself off this responsibility that you've taken upon yourself.
Start off with only spending a part of the day taking care of his needs. Leave the rest up to him. He may make himself too incapacitated to take care of himself by drinking heavily, but at the end of it, the onus is on him to take care of himself. You could ensure that his lunch and his supper his ready for him, so that all he has to do is either warm it up and eat or just eat it cold. But don't hang around to ensure that he eats.
Once he's used to the idea that you're only around for part of the day, you can then go onto only being around for a short while, every second day.
Without wanting to sound critical, you've actually allowed him and everyone else to treat you in this way. Get used to the idea of spending more time on yourself and teach yourself NOT to feel guilty about it. Should someone confront you about taking care of yourself more, just stand up to them and make them understand that you're no-one's doormat!
You have the ability and strenghth to do this. If you could maintain the ungrateful lifestyle of caretaker/doormat for this long, you can maintain the strenghth to stand up for yourself.
Good luck!
2007-07-25 23:32:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
man, im really sorry to hear about your situation. did u try telling off the other siblings and that they need to be helping more?? i dont know if u tried that or not, but if not thats a good place to start.
2007-07-26 00:15:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell your family that it is time for them to help out!!
2007-07-25 23:17:48 · answer #6 · answered by PEGGY S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get him started on a new hobby
2007-07-25 23:12:35 · answer #7 · answered by starone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋