I'm 22 years & I have an aunt who has been addicted to alcohol for over 9 years now. I can basically say she has hit rock bottom. 2 days without drinking is too much for her. We have tried everything to help, but to no avail. She just doesn't need any help. It started slowly, with having a few drinks here & there and then it grew to almost everyday. She graduated from University (1993) with good results, she stayed at home for a few months without a job and that's when she started drinking, eventually she managed to find a job, but she lost it due to "on the job drinking." My mother managed to get her a study bursary so that she can continue with her honours degree and also to take her mind off the alcohol, but that also didn't help, she dropped out of school in the 2nd semester. She started stealing stuff around the house to support her habit. Almost everyone in the family tried to speak to her, but that didn't help. She eventually left home to stay with relatives. Last year she got pregnant & we all thought, well this is it, this is what's gonna stop her from drinking, but boy were we wrong!. She didn't stop. The baby was born and she came back home, within less than a week the baby was born, she escaped through a window and left us with the baby. She came back the following day drunk. This happened occassionaly. The baby became sick & had to be sent to hospital with the mother, she even escaped in hospital to go and drink. Eventually the baby passed away & she was no where to be found that day. You would think that would be the last drink for her, but nope. While in hospital it was discovered that the baby was HIV+ , and that automatically means the mother is infected as well. She also got tested and results came back +. She's well aware of the consequences of drinking while infected with HIV, but that doesn't stop her. Now the only thing she looks forward to every month is the monthly Government Grant that is payed out to sick people, so that she can drink it all. We spoke to the social workers and they gave us permission to go & get the money on her behalf, so that we can buy her medication and good food. She shows no signs of ever slowing down, instead she talks about how much she just wishes she could die. Her health and weight have dropped a lot, I'm talking about a person who was a dress size 16(40) to a frail size 8 (32).
She is now again staying with relatives. We pray everyday for her. What can a person do under these circumstances? We tried almost everything to help her. Can anyone suggest something, anything would be useful. I am still willing to try anything to help her.
This is a sad stroy of the progression of the illness of alcoholism.
There are many things she sould do to help herself which it sounds she can't do now... but perhaps she would go to a psychiatrist who takes medicaid,(if she has it,) who could prescribe topamax (see Addiction Medication in the top tool bar of this site) which has been shown to dramatically reduce the desire to drink even in those not motivated to stop.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Lucia
There are many things she sould do to help herself which it sounds she can't do now... but perhaps she would go to a psychiatrist who takes medicaid,(if she has it,) who could prescribe topamax (see Addiction Medication in the top tool bar of this site) which has been shown to dramatically reduce the desire to drink even in those not motivated to stop.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Lucia
I am very sorry for you and your aunt. I am a recovering alcoholic myself, and I can tell you, I've been through hell. There is nothing you CAN do for her except what you are already doing. Pray. She will not get better or get help until she decides SHE wants it. IF she ever gets sick and tired of being sick and tired. I am a strong advocate for alcoholics anonymous. It got me sober, along with God and the prayers of my family. If she wont go to AA, then you should try Al-ANON. It is for families of alcoholics. It will help you to understand and learn how to deal with your feelings. Your aunt is a very sick person, with a lot of apparent pain inside. Keep loving her, keep praying for her.
good luck, and God Bless.
good luck, and God Bless.
