Alcoholic sister

[charli121]

Hello. Can anyone advise me if they have been in a simlar situation.

My sister has been an alcoholic on and off for more than 8 years. She has a serious drink problem and can not go with out alcohol every. She has panic attacks all the time and is a social phobic and has been like this for the whole time. She has not worked for years and has tried taking an over dose twice because she is so depressed and does not feel her life is worth anything. I am so worried and so are all my family that she may go to far and kill her self. She takes diazepam and drinks on them which i know are making her worse. My doctor does not seem to care and just keeps prescribing her. She has now moved out and just lays in bed all day drinking lager and does not eat hardly any food and has lost so much weight.

Has anyone every had or been sectioned under the mental health act for this sort of situation. I just want to help her. Everytime i try talk to her she just tells me what i want to hear and does not have any intentions of stopping drinking.

Thanks

[lostdoll]

It's good that she has such a supportive sister who cares so much about her. You have good reason to be concerned, but she cannot seek help unless she's aware that she has a problem and actually wants help and to help herself. It's possible your sister may be drinking because of her social anxieties - maybe this is her answer for it. When she's sober you could try discussing therapy/counselling for her social anxieties as an alternative to alcohol.

I've never really thought about alcoholism and the mental health act, but it may be worth speaking to another doctor for information.

Alcoholics Anonymous is the best thing to support your sister through recovery but until she accepts that she has problem and wants help, as I said before, this will not work for her.

However, you and your family can get help and support through Al-Anon, the AA equivalent for family and friends of alcoholics. There's usually a support group every week (or more depending on your area), check your local newspapers or check online for details.

Take care, and post again if there's any change :)
xo

[blondiebear]

The first step in Alcoholics Anonymous says "We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable." Your sister will have to do that or maybe you can organize an intervention for her.

I agree that you could look into Al-Anon. Also if you are interested, Alcoholics Anonymous has open meetings, anyone who wants can attend and listen.