My brother is probably an alcoholic. He seems to binge and then sleep most of the next day. I know he isn't happy and would like to change, but he hasn't found a way. I became angry with him when I found him working at our business late at night while drinking. I took his beer and told him to go home as soon as it was worn off, because I didn't want him to be arrested for drinking and driving. I saw a tear form in the corner of his eye, and that memory is painful to me. When he married 15 years ago, he had stopped drinking for several years, but his wife thought he was being silly not to drink, so she bullied him and mocked him constantly. She wanted her husband to be able to drink with her. Maybe it isn't fair for me to blame his wife, but she certainly wasn't supportive. After a few years of marriage, he began to drink again. Now his wife criticizes him for drinking. I don't know if she remembers how she scoffed at his refusal to drink when they first married - probably not.

What can I do to help him if anything? One thing I am trying to do is to treat him nicer (we are business partners). I have been going to a therapist for almost a year. I haven't made progress, but I intend to improve.

Any other ideas? My brother is so busy. I think he doesn't have time to think.


BTW I used to have a drinking problem too, but it was not as severe. I know how hard it is to quit, because I got very lucky. I hope I never relapse. I don't want to go back.