Answered questions(4)
Does AA Work?
Does AA work? I’ve known people that have gone to a few meetings and never had it really take hold, but as far as I can tell it’s not based on anything very scientific. I’m 24 and drink every day, and have been drinking for about 10 years and drinking hard for about the last 6 and drinking way too much for the last couple; and I can’t seem to stop on my own anymore. I know I need some help but I can’t help but think the whole 12 steps thing is kind of ridiculous and old fashioned. My fiancée says she might leave me if I don’t start going to meetings and quit (she wants me to go) but I keep telling her I’ll go do the whole the rehab thing once I can save up some money for it and that there’s no point on wasting time on something that’s not going to work. I am willing to get some help, I just want to get real help and I figure I’m only 24 and that even if takes me a year to save the money I need it’s not like I’m going to die or anything. So, is AA worth doing, or am I right to wait, save my money for something real, and get real help when I can?
Read answer →How Do I Know If My Wife Is An Alcoholic?
My wife drinks more wine than she used to. A couple/three glasses on weeknights and much more on weekends. We used to party harder when we were young but as I and most of our friends have sort of slowed down as we get older and have kids and jobs and all that, she seems to be picking things up. She takes care of her business and she’s a great mom and she says she’s fine but I think she is starting to have a bit of a problem. It is becoming a sore point between us. How can I know for sure if she is becoming an alcoholic?
Read answer →A question about triggers...
I’m about 8 months in recovery and my question is about how long I should wait before going back to see people from my past life that still party like I used to. My daughter and her husband and his brothers party all day and I’ve told then I can’t be around them when they are like that (I tried to get them to stop like I did but they did not want to hear about it). The problem is, I love my grandkids to death but now my daughter thinks I’m judging them all the time and that I’m just showing off. We had a big fight when I asked if I could take the kids for the day and she said if I am too good to come over then I am too good for my grandkids and maybe I should just stay away. I used to see those kids everyday and I miss them so much. My sponsor says I’m not ready to be at that house again, but I think I am ready and I don’t know if a sober life is worth very much if I can’t be with the people I love. I feel pretty strong and have no desire to drink right now. Is 8 months clean and sober enough time to go back and really face all my triggers?
Read answer →Helping Sister with Advanced Alcoholism
Hi Dr.I am writing on my sisters behalf.She is an alcoholic.This past week she was taken to the er twice.She is not able to use her legs at all and her hands barely move.They did lots of tests and found her liver to be not functioning well,her white blood cells elevated,and severe malnourishment.They did an mri to see what was up with her legs and arms and found she not only recently had a stroke,but that she has spots and bubbles close to her brain.They told her to go to neurologist right away and stop drinking and smoking.She has no insurance and is very ill.Are these things caused by alcohol?Her legs don't support her and she needs to be carried everywhere.The worst is that I think she is still drinking.I love her,but the past ten years have been so hard.Is she dying?She is only 32.Please help.Thank you very much.She has also lost so much weight and her belly is bloated and squishy.It is so hard to see someone you love destroying themselves,our family is suffering so much.She lives in Nevada now but has lived in Ca. for years.Are there any low cost rehabs?I have to keep trying for her.
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