My dad has a disease, alcoholism.?
Im making this short because my other 2 questions were similar. I just texted my dad that told me hes probably going to jail for a year for driving without a licence. He doesnt have a licence because of mutiple DUI's he was in jail before for a dui also. My question is i texted my dad telling him he needs help & that if he loves me he will be willing to get help. I told him he has a disease. Is there any hope that he will get help. I tried as did my mom to tell him he needs help but hes never got it. Is there any hope he will this time? Or am i wasteing my time.?
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I know you must be in a lot of pain to post this question. I'll try to answer it, but it may not be the answer you want to hear.
The first symptom of alcoholism is denial: “I only drink beer”, “I only drink on weekends”, “I can still handle my job”. The excuses go on and on. Alcoholics restructure reality so that they believe they don’t have a problem. Alcoholics believe everyone else has the problem, but not them.
You need to understand what your dad feels. The urge to drink is as strong as the urge that you and I feel when we have to go to the toilet badly. It is an overwhelming, persistent, and ceaseless urge. You asked if there is any hope. To be honest, the prognosis is guarded. If he enters a residential treatment program he has a chance IF he emotionally engages in the programs at the treatment facility. Unlike cancer treatment, where the patient is mostly passive, alcoholic treatment programs require that the patient emotionally engage. It is similar to school. You must study to pass the courses. Just sitting in class will not help you. He may need to go through the program two or three times. However he will never be cured. He will always be one sip of alcohol away from a full blown episode of alcoholism. Scientists have no cure at this time.
Alcoholism is a disease with psychological, physiological, social, and family aspects. Your dad will only engage in treatment when HE feels that things are so bad for HIM that they can not possibly get worse. This is called hitting bottom. Your father has to hit bottom and CHOOSE treatment. Nothing you do will expedite that decision. Trying to talk an alcoholic out of drinking will have the same level of success as trying to talk a cancer patient out of his cancer. Alcoholism is as much of a disease as cancer.
Alcohol acts as a tranquilizer, an antidepressant, or as a pacifier depending on the individual. Scientists are discovering that genetic factors interact with environmental factors to induce alcoholism. However, they still don’t understand all the plethora of genetic factors. Scientists discovered that alcohol affects the pleasure centers in the brain differently than it does people who are not alcoholics.
At this point, you need to take care of yourself. Serena. Join AL-ANON or Ala-teen (you didn't give your age).. There are meetings all over the world. You will meet people who have been where you are now. They can provide both emotional support to you and tell you how they coped with the situation you're now in.
Best of luck,
Sean Roberts
Unfortunately, many people with this illness usually have to hit rock bottom before they finally have a wake up call and realize just how serious their illness as gotten - some people however, never get out and many years on usually end up with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Have you thought of seeking professional advice were your dad is concerned? Maybe they will be able to lead you into a better direction than people here on yahoo answers.
Good luck.