Expert: Jan Edward Williams - 1/10/2009

Question
I am torn this time in helping my brother. He is an alcoholic and has been in and out of sleep for three days. He was starting a binge again. When he is awake he is not making sense. WE have searched the house for more bottles and know he has none as of now. Why would he still be so "out of it" so to speak. I know my brother has partial cyrosis of the liver and his esophogus is damaged due to alcohol. We dont know what to do for him and I am afraid he is slowly killing himself this time. What could be happening to keep him from being able to function. Today his face looks grayish. He is finally up now but went right back to his bed. When you ask him questions the answers change, so therefore you know something is not right. The ambulance will not help because he can refuse that, but does not know what he is refusing, and they said legally they cannot force him...Is he in bad shape? Or rather what can we do as his family? Thank you for any advice you can give...Lucy

Answer
Lucy,
I regret to say that your question is a medical one and I am not qualified to answer it. If this were my brother I would get him to an ER to find out what's going on---there may be bleeding somewhere (his liver is damaged) or any number of serious medical problems going on. So, somehow get him to a doctor as soon as possible. Good luck.
Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
jwilliams@alcoholdrugsos.com
www.alcoholdrugsos.com