AboutDruideck Expertise All questions are important,
I have over 22 years of personal experience with alcoholism and recovery issues.
Advanced Counsellor Training / Experience with treatment and AA.
Experience Over 22 years of recovery from alcoholism.
Counsellor in an alcohol outpatient office.
Experience as client and as counsellor in treatment center.
Education/Credentials Advanced counsellor certificate,
Melbourne ORYGEN Research Centre volunteer consultant
Question I am the only girl sibling and from a family of genetic alcoholics. This disease has haunted my family for generations.My eldest brother who has been an alcoholic since he was 15 is now 51.A woman who he was living with 13 years his senior died through an accident while they were both intoxicated. Together they would drink 8 litres of wine a day for 5 years. He is now in prison for not being capable of calling an ambulance. He has been found guilty of manslaughter due from neglect.He has brain damage from alcohol abuse and nerve damage. My question is what withdrawal symptoms will he go through and will he survive them?He has drank 24 hrs a day for 35 years what can he expect physically and emotionally?
They say his liver is not good , what does that mean?
He also has heart murmers what are they? Will his brain damage which he is good at hiding from others ever improve? Thank-you for your time.
Answer Gail,
Sorry to hear about your brother.
Many of the problems alcoholics
have can be helped if they stop
drinking. Some types of liver damage
are life threatening. Some liver damage
can heal a bit over time. The liver is what
processes the alcohol and alcoholics
drink more than the liver can handle
so it becomes damaged.
Read here for some more info on that: http://www.liverfoundation.org/education/info/alcohol/
Withdrawal depends on the individual,
he will need medical supervision
to "detox" It takes some time and
involves alot of sweating and
possibly hallucinations or fits
of anger. His body will respond soon
after getting sober by healing itself
somewhat. He will have to start eating
properly and should get whatever he
needs as far as other pain medications and
vitamins.
He can improve by staying sober
and getting involved in groups
like Alcoholics Anonymous.
Even his mental and emotional
health can improve with sobriety.
Heart murmurs can be valve problems
in the heart. These defects can
cause problems but again if he can
start living more healthy he could heal
and survive.
Alcoholism is very deadly but many
people do recover with some willingness.
His brain damage may not change but
he may even learn to cope with it better.
Many health problems can be helped
by a healthy life. I hope he can get
help in prison and start anew.
Also remember to take care of your
own self in all aspects of a person,
mentally, emotionally, physically and
spiritually.
Right thinking and no drinking
go along way to help one grow in
wholeness.
Your brother has a tough road ahead of him.
I wish him and you the best.
