[Artchic528]

I'm worried about my little brother. He's constantly buying 24 packs of Yuengling and drinking the cans all throughout the day (If you didn't know, Yuengling is a brand of beer). He has a job, and is working on getting some certification and a raise, but all the while he's awake, it seems he's either getting a can from the mini fridge, or holding an open one in his hand. He drinks from the moment he wakes up to the moment he falls asleep and there are empty Yuengling cans lined up by the dozens in his bedroom and the room he uses as his study.

Back when he was in college, he even got a DUI WHILE on his campus, so he's not been drinking without repercussion.

When he's not drinking, he's usually smoking, which in itself is another whole kettle of fish as he practically smokes as much as he drinks. It seems he's lighting up every 10-20 minutes.

Anyways, I worry that his drinking problem will start to get worse to the point where he'll lose his job because of it. I also worry about what he's doing to his body. I already hear him hacking away with a smoker's cough. I shudder to think how his liver is.

He had gone through a sickly childhood, where he was diagnosed with Acute Lymphatic Leukemia, and almost died from that. Then he went through a rebellious teenage phase where he would be gone for days at a time and none of us (his family) would have any clue where he'd be. He'd also skip school, nearly every day, and I once caught him carving out a hole in the pages of a school text book to hide his cigarettes in. Thankfully he's over that now and has graduated from both high school and college.

But despite all he's been through, and how hard he's worked to fix his mistakes, I feel his drinking problem is only moving him backward in life. I don't want to see him fall back. He's such a good person and he deserves so much better than what he is doing to himself.

[gayleggg]

I'm sorry to hear about your brother. It does sound like he has a problem, however worrying will only do you harm and won't help him. He has to realize he has a problem and want help. I would suggest that you use the Serenity Prayer to help you deal with the issue.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I have found this to be very helpful in reminding myself of the things I can do and that I can't do. My dad was an alcoholic, so I know it is not easy to watch someone go down this path.

[Artchic528]

I understand it's his life and his choice as to whether or not he recognizes he has a problem and needs help, but he's still my kid brother, and I want to be there for him and help him.

[Altered Moment]

You can point out to him your concern and that you think he has a problem but it is up to him to do something about it. If he decides to something then you can help him. If you nag him all the time he will push you away. Even if he says....yeah your right, I am going to quit. And then doesn't you will be disappointed. Us alcoholics often tell people what they want to hear to get them off our backs for awhile with no intention of changing.

[Mygrandjourney]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

You can point out to him your concern and that you think he has a problem but it is up to him to do something about it. If he decides to something then you can help him. If you nag him all the time he will push you away. Even if he says....yeah your right, I am going to quit. And then doesn't you will be disappointed. Us alcoholics often tell people what they want to hear to get them off our backs for awhile with no intention of changing.

Agreed: expressing your concerns about your observations, from the first person perspective is appropriate. Just letting him know you are concerned and you would like to see him make changes in a non judgemental/non threatening way may open the door to more opportunities to help him in the future.