My fiance' is a type 1 diabetic & drinks a minimum of 1 liter of alcohol per day.

[mysticallady892]

I know this is bad, but need to hear some advise or just have some support. My fiance' has been a type 1 diabetic since the age of 12 & he is now 41. For the past 5 1/2 years he has been drinking straight vodka & occasionally tequila. He drinks anywhere from 1 liter a day (on work days) & up to a half gallon (sometimes more) on the weekends. I honestly do not know what is keeping him alive. He is not the same person I fell in love with 10 years ago. I am now attending ala non meetings. Moving out is not an option right now. Any advise or support would be nice.

Thanks!!!  

[mysticallady892]

I completely agree with you. It is an illness & strong addiction. I also know that I canNOT help someone who does not want to help themselves. It is only a matter of time. Not only is he dealing with one disease, he has two to battle. I try to be optimistic that things will get better for me with time. Thank you all for your comments.

  

[rod44]

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol dependence, is a disease that includes the following four symptoms:

Craving—A strong need, or urge, to drink.
Loss of control—Not being able to stop drinking once drinking has begun.
Physical dependence—Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking.
Tolerance—The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to get "high."
For clinical and research purposes, formal diagnostic criteria for alcoholism also have been developed. Such criteria are included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association, as well as in the International Classification Diseases, published by the World Health Organization.


Is alcoholism a disease?

Yes, alcoholism is a disease. The craving that an alcoholic feels for alcohol can be as strong as the need for food or water. An alcoholic will continue to drink despite serious family, health, or legal problems.

Like many other diseases, alcoholism is chronic, meaning that it lasts a person's lifetime; it usually follows a predictable course; and it has symptoms. The risk for developing alcoholism is influenced both by a person's genes and by his or her lifestyle.

[ibizan]

my designated driver had a OFF switch in him...he didn't want more than 3 a nite!alcoholics and addicts are biochemically missing that OFF switch which is why for lack of a better word is labeled a disease process...i like the word allergy better.Yes indeed no one put a gun to my head to drink/drug!Many like you do not believe addiction is a disease and that is their choice.I won't argue that with anyone!Your beliefs are your beliefs!I'd rather focus my energy on daily recovery!

[baylin]

Hi i congratulate you on you not having a drink, I hate the word sober, but being a greedy drinker is a choice, noone puts a gun to anyones head to go and get a drink, THAT IS YOUR OWN CHOICE.  Having cancer is a illness, heart disease is an illness, drinking alcohol is NOT.  You wanst born with a bottle in your hand, you made that concious choice to drink, and to continue to drink, then  say its an illness to excuse your weakness.  I used to drink heavily for 20 years, I wasnt ill, I was just really greedy, and I wanst powerless to alcohol, I just wanted it.  I would love for a Alcoholic to go into a kids cancer ward, and tell them whilst they are laying there dying and begging for life, that you also are sick, and that your illness is killing you.  Its bullcrap everything we do in life is a choice, and to label it as a illness is pathetic, I wasnt ill by no means, just GREEDY.

[ibizan]

My 92 year old mothers granpa who raised her years ago died of diabetic complications due to his alcoholism.Diabetics who continue to drink are choosing a slow death!

[ibizan]

I did not choose to be an alcoholic/addict......i do believe it is a biochemical illness with many more factors involved.....but what i have CHOSEN to do about my illness has kept me sober/clean for the past 26 years!I make choices hourly and daily!We are responsible for our choices!

[baylin]

You canot help someone who is not willing to help themselves.  Alcoholism is not an illness, its a choice, and dont be told different. Cancer is a illness, alcoholism is just selfish. I was a drinker but not no more, i got a heart and thought about others and my family, then made the choice to quit.  Like I said, if he isnt willing to go and even try to get help, then i am afraid that you will not get anywhere.