drink binges

my husband's drinking has been spiraling out of control in the last couple of years. His drinking binges last on average 2 weeks, after which it is very difficult for him to stop even though he (sometimes) wants to. He refuses any kind of medical help - he's already been in rehab once.  Yesterday he drank a whole bottle of vodka (750ml) and I am sure that when he wakes up he will get some more.  How long can he keep this up?  His blood tests last year came all good, including the liver function, which only made him think that drinking has no effect on his body.  Any suggestions?

[rod44]

You need to look out for yourself first, if you could find an Al-Anon group it would help you. Your husband needs to want to stop and nothing you do will change that, his drinking will eventually do damage to his health. When he is ready to get help he needs to be under the care of a doctor as WD's can cause medical problems. He should find a recovery program like AA to help him with his recovery. His recovery must be just that, his recovery. Dont get me wrong, I know your concerned but if your husband decides to stop because of pressure from family without having the desire himself to stop it just will not work. This has been my experience and the  experience of many recovering addicts I have met on my journey to sobriety.

Ray

[violetta38]

Thanks, Ray!  I know exactly what you are saying.  I've been in counseling myself because of his drinking and I will go again.  He holds me responsible for just about everything (including him losing the tax return check when he was drunk!).  I have one more question: how long can he continue like this?  He is 43 and a teacher, so now he's had a nice long stretch of vacation that allowed him to drink without any work pressures.  But how long can a person drink 1 liter of vodka a day? At what point will he collapse and what shall I do when he does collapse?

[narla]

I was drinking close to that amount of Bacardi on a daily basis and my liver function tests were fine until 12 months ago,in less than 2 years my levels had more than tripled,I was 47 at that time.
But as Ray said your husband is the only one that can decide when he has had enough,but I'm sure eventually his liver will be affected,he needs to get yearly tests at least,6 monthly ones would be better.Good Luck

Denise

[violetta38]

Thanks, Denise!  What side-effects were you experiencing that led you to do some tests?  Are there any tell-tale signs?

[narla]

No,there were no signs my doctor routinely does blood work every 12 months I didn't even realise she was checking my liver until I received a phone call that she wanted to see me,she just asked me what was going on and as soon as she told me the results of my liver test I told her the truth,I'd been abusing alcohol for 34 years just stopped through my 2 pregnancies and when I had a brain haemorrage,I was also abusing codeine,I stopped both cold turkey under her guidance,and then eventually got into aftercare.