Peer Reviewed
Clinical case review
Can this heavy drinker aged in his 60s reform?
Abstract
GPs are in an excellent position to provide practical advice to people who want to help a family member with an alcohol problem.
Key Points
Case scenario
Bill is aged in his late 60s and has been a heavy drinker for many years. He lives alone and from time to time becomes homeless. Bill had a good spell recently: he attended a rehabilitation centre, stopped drinking for a few months and improved dramatically. However, he relapsed yet again and is now homeless once more.
Bill’s son Peter, a journalist, does not know what to do. He cannot bear to turn his back on his father, but he also thinks that his attempts to help are a waste of time. Peter asks for your advice.
What do you tell Peter?
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