Expert: Amarnath.B - 4/12/2004

Question
Thank you very much for your response.  My brother lives in the L.A. area (California).  I live on the other side of the country which makes me feel horrible...like there is nothing I can do to help.  I have confronted him plenty of times about his problem.  He realizes he needs help one minute and then the next he thinks he can stop on his own.  Does an inpatient rehab allow people to go to work in the afternoons?  How does that work?  I will check into ALANON around this area.  I appreciate all of your help!

Thank you,

Debra          

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Followup To

   

Question -
Hello Amarnath!
I am hoping you can help me in some way.  My brother has had a drinking problem for many years.  For months at a time he will not drink and then he takes a sip and just can't stop for days at a time.  He turns into a horrible mess.   He is a very intelligent young man (in his 30's) and has a successful career.  This drinking is something out of his control and I am afraid one day he will pay a very serious consequence.  I want to know what I can do to get him on the right path.  He knows he has a problem...he has been to AA in the past.  What can I do?  Please help!

Debra       
Answer -
Hello Debra,

At the outset I hope you realize that your brother is an alcoholic by all definitions.  He basically is a binge drinker and the moment he touches the first drink he cannot stop.

The very fact he has been to AA means that he has realized that he has a problem though he still may be in denial now.  Debra, before he ruins himself, I suggest you confront him during his sober period. There is one other thing you must realize that you can only advise.  You cannot force him. Remember you cannot sympathize with him.  It will only worsen the problem.

A three-month inpatient rehabilitation program is the best solution for your brother to come out of this malady. I also suggest that you attend ALANON(support group of AA for family and friends)which will help you learn the ways to treat a suffering alcoholic and also to help yourself cope with the stressors of handling one in the family and learn how to change your thinking processes.

Please let me know your area of residence, so that I can suggest the nearest rehab center for your brother.

God bless,

Amarnath

Answer
Dear Debra,

No, inpatient rehabs will not allow people to work outside.  There are many outpatient clinics and voluntary organisations who do counsel suffering alcoholics.  The best way is to seek help through any of the AA groups in LA and request them to send one of its members to visit him. They will definitely help him with counseling and outpatient services.  Please do go and attend ALANON meetings.

God bless,

Amarnath