Wake up call
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 73
Wake up call
One of my best friends has been dealing with his Mother's dementia. I helped him move her into a long term care facility this weekend and saw her for the first time in 5 years. I always remembered her as a bubbly, outgoing, boisterous women who liked to party. Seeing her now (she's only 60) unable to recognizie her grandkids, not remembering where she was etc. etc was a sad, sad shock.
Later he told me they diagnosed her with Alcohol Dementia. She and her husband were hard drinkers but seemed to function ok. Both had jobs, both retired early (which apparently caused even more drinking). Her husband died suddenly last year at 62 from heart and hypertention. She's practically a vegetable at 60. That scares the hell out of me.
I'm thinking that as part of our recovery programs we should all be required to visit a rehab clinic or Alzheimers ward. "There but the grace of God ..."
2 weeks sober and counting!
Later he told me they diagnosed her with Alcohol Dementia. She and her husband were hard drinkers but seemed to function ok. Both had jobs, both retired early (which apparently caused even more drinking). Her husband died suddenly last year at 62 from heart and hypertention. She's practically a vegetable at 60. That scares the hell out of me.
I'm thinking that as part of our recovery programs we should all be required to visit a rehab clinic or Alzheimers ward. "There but the grace of God ..."
2 weeks sober and counting!
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,756
I'm thinking that as part of our recovery programs we should all be required to visit a rehab clinic or Alzheimers ward. "There but the grace of God ..."
I agree.
I may someday end up with dementia, but it won't be alcohol-induced!
Go ask the Multivax
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,481
Yes, that is the "wet brain" they refer to in the Big Book. I have a friend who's 63 now, got sober three years ago. Recently, he's been declining. Becoming more and more forgetfull. Hopefully, he stopped in time.
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,358
Hi Emmy
I think dementia, no matter what the cause, is a terrible thing to deal with - for the sufferer and the family alike.
Prayers for your friend and his family - and congratulations to you on your sober time
D
I think dementia, no matter what the cause, is a terrible thing to deal with - for the sufferer and the family alike.
Prayers for your friend and his family - and congratulations to you on your sober time
D
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Ontario
Posts: 806
Originally Posted by Emmy69 
One of my best friends has been dealing with his Mother's dementia. I helped him move her into a long term care facility this weekend and saw her for the first time in 5 years. I always remembered her as a bubbly, outgoing, boisterous women who liked to party. Seeing her now (she's only 60) unable to recognizie her grandkids, not remembering where she was etc. etc was a sad, sad shock.
Later he told me they diagnosed her with Alcohol Dementia. She and her husband were hard drinkers but seemed to function ok. Both had jobs, both retired early (which apparently caused even more drinking). Her husband died suddenly last year at 62 from heart and hypertention. She's practically a vegetable at 60. That scares the hell out of me.
I'm thinking that as part of our recovery programs we should all be required to visit a rehab clinic or Alzheimers ward. "There but the grace of God ..."
2 weeks sober and counting!
Later he told me they diagnosed her with Alcohol Dementia. She and her husband were hard drinkers but seemed to function ok. Both had jobs, both retired early (which apparently caused even more drinking). Her husband died suddenly last year at 62 from heart and hypertention. She's practically a vegetable at 60. That scares the hell out of me.
I'm thinking that as part of our recovery programs we should all be required to visit a rehab clinic or Alzheimers ward. "There but the grace of God ..."
2 weeks sober and counting!
I went through rehab,....lived in two dry houses,.......
years later I'm still clean and sober and I work in a long term care facility.
We have a resident who by now I think is 51 toasted his mind on some home made stuff,...
to this day he still thinks he needs to go to the union hall every Friday for some meeting.
Alcoholism is serious,.............I take nothing for granted.
years later I'm still clean and sober and I work in a long term care facility.
We have a resident who by now I think is 51 toasted his mind on some home made stuff,...
to this day he still thinks he needs to go to the union hall every Friday for some meeting.
Alcoholism is serious,.............I take nothing for granted.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Buzz-free Zone
Posts: 1,372
Congratulations on 2 weeks, Emmy!
I saw the most unreal things in early recovery (as you are) and I truly believe they're not by accident - they're real life lessons in seeing where alcoholism can take us - nobody is immune.
I may end up with dementia - God willing and one day at a time, unless I continue to live in recovery, I could be on my way to where your friend's mom is. I can't take anything for granted.
Blessings to your friend and his mom - and to you too.
Hbee
I saw the most unreal things in early recovery (as you are) and I truly believe they're not by accident - they're real life lessons in seeing where alcoholism can take us - nobody is immune.
I may end up with dementia - God willing and one day at a time, unless I continue to live in recovery, I could be on my way to where your friend's mom is. I can't take anything for granted.
Blessings to your friend and his mom - and to you too.
Hbee
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: GEORGIA
Posts: 107
I think there are things you can control and things you cannot that happen to people.It is all sad . Thats why i pray and remember every one espeacally the people who are suffering in one way or another. GOD BLESS
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 124
Emmy, congrats on your two weeks, that is an awesome achievement. There is tons of great support here on SR. Im sorry to hear about your friends mom, it is so tough to see anyone go through anything like that. Hang in there
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
Sorry to hear about your best friend!
A friend's Dad get wet brain and keep drinking until he could no longer recognise his own son and then die...sucks!
No consequence was ever enough for me to stop drinking by myself, real or potential...i needed help:-)
A friend's Dad get wet brain and keep drinking until he could no longer recognise his own son and then die...sucks!
No consequence was ever enough for me to stop drinking by myself, real or potential...i needed help:-)
Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,095
I remember seeing an old guy with wet brain come in when I was in rehab. I thought to myself, "Crap, that's my future. That's me if I don't quit drinking."
As horrifying as that vision was, it did not keep me sober. Neither did a number of familial, social, and legal debacles. For me, the idea of a wake up call that would one day be sufficient to convince me not to drink, was a delusion. A delusion that had to be smashed before I could recover.
As horrifying as that vision was, it did not keep me sober. Neither did a number of familial, social, and legal debacles. For me, the idea of a wake up call that would one day be sufficient to convince me not to drink, was a delusion. A delusion that had to be smashed before I could recover.
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