How young can someone become an alcoholic?

Question

My brother is 19 and ever since he got fired from work all he does is get drunk and parties with his friends. In the last month I don't think he has gone 2 days completely sober. Is it possible that he is already an alcoholic? I am really worried about him.

Answer 1

It doesn't take an age to be an alcoholic, just a dependency problem.

Answer 2

Yes it is very possible that he is an alcoholic. There is no age limit on it. You should talk to him and tell him you're worried and look in the ads for jobs he could do and show them to him. Tell him times are rough and jobs are hard to come by but just drinking himself away won't help him find one. If he still lives with you and your parents put it somewhere where he can't get to it. Be careful what you do though. Some people suggest that you get rid of it all so there's no way he can get to it but when people are under the influence their thinking is corrupt and he might lash out at you so be cautious. When you know he's sober talk to him about it and tell him he should get rid of it. If you can get him to dump all the alcohol he has then it'll work better in his mind that he's ending his days with alcohol. Try to distract him from going to any parties or to hang out too much as in the early stages of giving it up parties will be too much of a temptation for him. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Any age....

Answer 4

it is very possible. Look at the Alcoholics Anonymous web site.

Answer 5

2 things make people alcoholics

1. if you drink between ages 8-16 you were 80% chance of being an alcoholic

2. if you have a history in family of alcoholics (genetic link to stress and the loci that shows up as stress levels get beyond a reasonable point).

keep in mind that people in college drink like crazy aren't alcoholics.

I believe that he is drinking to stop his depression which is not really why alcoholics drink (misconception many ppl have).

Answer 6

Yeah cause you can be an alcoholic as a child if your parents give you a drink

Answer 7

As soon as you can't start a day or go a day without a drink, I think you're an alcoholic.  There are 13 year old alcoholics unfortunately.  Try to get some professional help for your brother.  Talk to your parents about it if you can.  If not, try to talk him into getting counseling.  Also, tell him to go out and apply for other jobs.  There's always somebody whose hiring.  I wish him (and you) well.

Answer 8

I know a 12 year old child that was diagnosed having cirosis from drinking alcohol, which he got from his uncle, who is an alcoholic.  There is no age that one can become an alcoholic because it comes upon many individuals that live with the alcohol and it is sad when I hear how young children/adolescents are affected because of unresponsible adults.  So I would look into this and visit your local AA chapters and find some help for your brother.

Answer 9

talk to him when he is not having a drink,,or having friends round etc,,,,he may just be going through a bad stage and rebelling..if he is level headed his senses will kick in and he will know when its time to stop,,he has time to choose,,suport him,,dont nag him,,good luck.

Answer 10

its okay babe. everyone goes through tough times. you should get him to go to AA meetings. im kinda drunk righ tnow. i think im an alcoholic. i dont like this i want to be sober, just wai t*t out maybe he wiull gett beter

Answer 11

Theres no certain age when you can't go without it becoming a problem his doesn't seem like a problem he just may be depressed and uses it as a release..but try to get him out of the routine before it do

Answer 12

You don't have to be a certain age to be an alcoholic. All you have to do is to have had your first drink... But with that said just because you drink alot doesn't nessassarily mean you're an alcoholic... Could mean you're just really irresponsible. If you're worried about him, have a talk with him, ask him if he needs to talk.

Answer 13

Newborn babies can be born alcoholic, if their mothers drank alot when they were pregnant ......  You can call AA.  I think they have special chapters for relatives of alcoholics, and can help you with your questions.....

Answer 14

yes you can be an alcoholic at at any age......I've had a problem with alcohol since i was 16 and it's been a very long struggle. my husband was also an alcoholic for years and has been sober for 2years. but i still have relapses every now and then but I'm trying to get better. Alcoholism is a disease and is very serious! It will eventually ruin your life if you let it! You could try talking to him an telling him how you feel...but from someone who's been through this it's not very easy and if he won't admit that he has a problem than it's pretty pointless. Sometimes you have to let the people you love make their own mistakes in life even though it hurts. He's the one that has to get help and change his life, you can't do it for him. But my heart goes out to you cause i know how your feeling....but don't give up hope. You and your brother are in my prayers.

Maybe this site can give you some more answers:



http://addictvoice.com/how-do-you-help-a...

Answer 15

You can be any age to be an alcoholic.

The thing that defines an alcoholic is if they are dependant on alchohol.

Maybe challenge your brother to go a couple of days without drinking, if he cant manage it then I would say his an alcoholic. Get him to seek help.

Answer 16

Unfortunately, yes he is.  There's no too young of an age.  Drew Barrymore was already an alcoholic at age 9 and went to rehab at age 13.  But you can't force a person to stop unless they want to.

Answer 17

i loved alcohole since i was like 6or 7 my parents let me drink at home as i grew up i darnk more jack daniels straight up was my drink of choice now doctor says i have sorosys of the liver so i dont  drink no more so wait till u get older to drink if u must i lived for the weekends to get stoned and drunk now im 48 and dont do nothing how boring is that

Answer 18

I would do an intervention on him.  Before he realizes that he has a problem he will have done significat damage to his body.