caused by drinking?

[loiloi]

My partner has been an alcoholic for 8 years and weighs just 8 and a half stone. He drinks at least 80 units of alcohol a week and virtually never eats, often going 48 hours without food. He usually suffers with loose stools because of this. Last week however, he started bleeding spontanteously from his anus, obviously not associated with constipation or straining.
What could be causing this? I am so concerned and want to convince him to go to the doctor.
Eloise.

[JoSchmo]

Rectal bleeding is serious especially if it is black like tar - that is dead blood which means it is internal bleeding.  That happened to me twice and I almost died - had to have 2 complete blood transfusions - of course I never told anyone I was an alcoholic.  Get the alcoholic partner to the E.R.  Get yourself to Al Anon.  
E.R. saved my physical life / Al Anon saved my marriage / AA continues to save both!
Best of luck to you both.
Love, JO

[IamGnu]

I feel for you and agree with boogieman.I also recommend Al Anon. Seeing how I'm surrounded by alcoholics daily, the Al Anon program has helped give me a heallthy perspective.All of the alcoholics in my life today are sober but I still have to keep the focus on myself and my program.I realized that I needed to remember to butt out because AA offers a solution to the person who wants what we have to offer....not to those who need it.And Al Anon gives a different perspective and uses the 12 steps in a way to releave me of my co-dependence. I grew up in an alcoholic home and learned how to cope at first by people pleasing.It wasn't until my teens that alcohol became part of my coping mechanism. And then it took over. So I thank God for both programs for guiding and shaping me into who I am today. Good luck to you.
---Gnu

[boogieman]

hello. this could be a lot of things from minor to life-threatening. if he is consuming that much alcohol, not eating, and has been doing so for a while, he will eventually be dealing with major consequences. he probably also has vitamin deficiencies (especially thiamine) which are common in chronic alcoholics. there could easily be irreversible organ damage now, but if not this could still be a chance to wake up and try to change. we never know if the chance we have today is our last. take care,  gm

[KjFlicka]

If his stools are black and like coffee grounds (from 'old blood') or if he's bleeding a significant quantity, he needs to go the Emergency room. I have no idea where drifter0213 got the 'hard liquor' reference because it doesn't matter if it's beer, wine or whiskey to get liver disease.  What you said about the alcohol replacing most of his food calories is a recipe for liver disease. Please have him go to the doctor right away. He needs to stop drinking now or he'll face a quick demise. He can do it, though! I thank you on his behalf for caring.

Best of luck.

[drifter0213]

the bleeding is internal, from prehaps hard liqour? he needs food & abstinence tell him hes either got some living to do or 'some dying to do ' shock him with this revelation it awakeing me to reality. scott