My Son the Alcoholic is Out Of Control: How Do I Handle This?

My son 32 is an alcoholic. He does not work and drinks all day. If he can't get drink he gets the shakes. He urinates on the floor at home and if he eats he vomits.

He has already damaged his liver and he won't face up to his problem. We live in the Harwich area of Essex. My wife and I are at our wits end as we don't want to lose our son and don't know what to do.

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Answer

In cases of severe alcoholism like with your son where physical effects of alcoholism start becoming apparent means you need to get your into a detox and addiction treatment program ASAP. Whether he likes it or not. Because if his liver damage leads to Cirhossis he's in big, big trouble, because death then becomes a very real possibility.

Use the Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator by the US
Department of Health and Services to find a program. You can search by area and by affordability - because they do also have low/no cost treatment options that are government subsidised.

So don't delay. Your son needs to get professional help. Then it's up to him and if he really wants to change and turn his life around. You can only do so much. But these places can get him properly detoxed and equip him with the knowledge and 'tools' to turn his life around.

Good Luck.