Why do you ask?

I`v seen people sober up to get their families back, in some cases the family never did return and they are still sober today. They did the right thing for the wrong reasons However, when push comes to shove WHY doesen`t matter anyway.

Well, my brother thinks he can quit cold turkey without rehab or any other kind of outside professional help. He thinks because he loves his girlfriend enough that he do it on his own, they have broken up and gotten back numerous times. There are no kids involved, and because of his drinking our family wants him to get the proper help he needs.

He's been in Rehab twice and he always reverts back to his old habits, until she takes him back. I don't know i was just wondering how that is possible without professional help.

Have you considered the possibility that his girlfriend is enabling him and that she needs help at least as much as he does?

Hello missvicki43,

It would be wrong to generalise and to say that your brother wont do it on his own but I would not like to bet my shirt on it. Quitting is not the most difficult thing to do and some alcoholics quit drinking pretty often.

The problem is just what you said he always reverts back to his old habits. I am afraid that he is likely to keep doing that no matter how much he loves his girlfriend, unless he tackles the reasons for his drinking. Rehab will help him to quit safely and will point him in the right direction but the rest is up to himself. He does not necessarily need professional help unless there are also some mental health issues but he does need some sort of programme and would benefit from having support from people who have a similar problem.

I know a few people who have quit on their own and have not had a drink for many years but for every one of them there are thousands who just cannot do it without help. I would encourage him to go to AA.