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There’s a chapter in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous called “To Wives*” (Chapter 8). They put an asterix next to it because the book was written in 1939 and assumes the alcoholic is likely to be the husband. If you take the word “he” and “husband” and replace with “she” and “sister” it might read better. It’s not perfectly written for your situation but it speaks to 4 different types of alcoholics and how best it might be to approach each type. Take what you like and leave the rest. You can find Chapter 8 at
aa.org/bigbookonline/en_tableofcnt.cfm
One note from my experience; Get them when they’re down. Alcoholics/Addicts are most approachable and open to help when something bad has happened. “Have you had enough” is a powerful statement after a terrible event. Or “how has it been working your way”. After one of these events see if she’s open to getting help.
You have to be prepared for this day. You don’t want to be tracking down in-patient or out-patient facilities in the middle of a crisis. If your sister doesn’t have insurance then track down the local re-habilitation centers in your area that accepts persons without it. Unfortunately if she is an alcoholic this day will come.
If she says yes to help then take her as soon as possible to a trained professional or facility. It’s very possible she could change her mind after a short period of time so get her in.
If she says no, then you might have to wait for the next event and approach her same way again. This is just one piece of advice; seek professional help and Al-Anon. If you know people in recovery ask their advice. Take care of yourself, don’t enable, and don’t stop asking for help.
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