what are the chances?

Question

I am worried about my brother, he is 46yrs old, and divorced, lives alone, and has a good job, but stressful, and gets lonely. He drinks so much, i am always ringing him, and he is always intoxicated, no matter what time i ring. He comes home from work, and opens a bottle, and smokes probably 40 cigs a day. He has told me, he has dizzy spells, and chest pains, and has constant hangovers, which is getting him down. I rang him, last night at 7.30, and he was on his third bottle of wine, and drunk!! he asked me, if i think he is an alcoholic? I think he is.....his current gf, just finished with him, because she said hes a drunk. I am worried for his health. Is he at risk? or are his symptoms, just stress related?

Answer 1

He's in serious trouble Venus. Please let your folks know about this and conversations you have had with him. he may act like you tread on him but if you love him which I am sure you do very much you need to be the older sibling in this situation and take the steering wheel. If he is lsing friends and gf's etc then his drinking is affecting others and giving him an EXCUSE to drink more. he will continue to look for excuses until it kills him. He needs to find courage to face himself and to forgive and love himself and he needs you and your family for this.

God bless and good luck. :)

Answer 2

His health is definitely at risk; excessive alcohol consumption on a regular basis cannot help but do things to your body. Whether he's an alcoholic or not is hard to tell. Some people drink like you've described for whatever reasons (depressions, stress, loneliness) but when faced with a good reason to quit or moderate, they can. (Of course what's considered a good reason is up to them.) These people are not alcoholics. An alcoholic drinks to excess when they don't mean to, tries hard to quit and finds they can't; after one sip they are no longer able to make a choice about drinking too much. It is an addiction.

It could very well be that your brother is depressed and using alcohol as a crutch... the depression causes him to drink too much and the drinking too much keeps him depressed. He can stop the cycle, although it will be difficult.

If he is an alcoholic, then intervention and abstinence is the only answer. If he's a heavy drinker due to circumstances, then he just needs to find that reason to stop killing himself slowly in his effort to numb the pain. Either way, your (and your family's) love and support is important.

Answer 3

Both, have him see his doctor. Smoking and stress both increase blood pressure which account for the dizziness and chest pains. As far as the drinking goes, help him find counseling via AA, counseling or if you are religious your priest.

Alcohol used in moderation is a great thing, but when it becomes a burden on your life you need to seek help. Good luck with your brother.

Answer 4

The guy is lonely....if you say he has a good job and manages to do it well...the problem is not that bad yet...but it will get worse. Tell him to get out and NOT drink alone. Oh and those 40 cigs....totally bad...that will kill him.

Answer 5

He is going downhill fast. get him to an AA meeting or something. start now before it leads worse things like hardcore drugs or something

Answer 6

I think it maybe time to get him to see what hes doing to himself and get him into a rehab because that is too much for his body to handle

Answer 7

sounds like he has the whole credentials to turn into an alcoholic ( full blown)..he needs to sloooow down, good luck

Answer 8

He needs therapy

Answer 9

He needs help

Answer 10

suggest AA