Okay here's the deal. I have a male friend in his mid 30's. He has been battling alcoholism for the last 15 years. He has been to a few rehabs. He will get sober for a while, fall off the wagon and do this repeatidly. It has gotten to the point that he cannot work until he beats the alcohol addiction. He is severely depressed. His hygene has diminished, and he sometimes talks of suicide. Everytime I hear him pop a beer its like a bullet being fired into me. He has become very careless about almost every thing, and has no respect for his father (whom is helping him) I went to a addiction recovery center yesterday and got him some information. I doubt he'll actually call client registration.
So what should I do? If he dosn't get help he WILL DIE. He's already coughing up blood. Not a lot of blood but enough to make me worry. How can I get him help if he won't go to treatment? Someone Please help us!

I am so sorry to hear about your situation. But, I will tell you what I think is the truth. You can not get help for your friend if he does not want it. I speak from experience. My brother died of alcoholism last fall, after many years of drinking, and many years of anguish and tears on the part of me and my husband, begging, pleading, bullying, enabling - everything you can think of - to try to get him to stop. He went to rehab and jail - nothing stopped him.

Of course, there is always hope that your friend will come around. All you can do in the meantime is pray, and seek support for yourself, and his family, if you are close enough to them to suggest it. Alanon is a great resource for the family and friends of addicts. They will be able to help alot in teaching you what you can and can't do to help. They are online and in the phone book. Please check it out.

I wish I had kinder, gentler words, but I don't. I will pray for you and I wish you the best - Marirose