My brother has been sober for almost 20 years. It was a terrible ride for a number of years (including almost 2 years in long term treatment) but he was a miracle. Unfortunately the numbers are low but it can happen.

I am an alcoholic, but sober for 10 years now. Some of us do need to hit bottom before being able to turn things around, but what is bottom for one person may not be the bottom for another person.

I was a functioning alcoholic, never had a single DUI, never caused a scene, just quietly and desperately almost drank myself to death. I finally checked myself into a 30-day rehab and it was literally a lifesaver. There IS hope, but it is different for each alcoholic/addict.

My brother just turned 50 and is a recovering heroine addict. He started smoking pot as a teen, got hooked on prescription painkillers and eventually took up heroine on and off for decades. (During the off times it was back to pot + painkillers, I imagine.) He would work long enough to get a paycheck and then go drug out. Repeat for decades. The only times he didn't use was when he was in jail and even that was debatable. He finally went downstate for 4 years and came out into a drug rehab program. He eventually moved back in with my parents and he's still there and still clean, in fact he leads NA meetings now. (Parents let him rent their basement apartment dirt cheap--he still has $$ issues due to child support.)

My parents (& grandparents) enabled him for years, but he was a master liar. I hated his guts for a long time and couldn't get my mom to see the light.

So far so good. I hope your family member comes around sooner rather than later.

My son-in-law was an alcoholic, drinking vodka on the job etc. After their first child, my daughter gave him an ultimatum, her or booze. He chose her. No group meetings, went cold-turkey, now three children, sober 10 yrs and happy marriage.

Yep, try Al-Anon. Without knowing more about your particular situation, can't really offer advice beyond the fact that your family member is unlikely to stay sober without external support - from a 12-step program, therapist, or both.

My DH has been sober for over ten years, went to daily mtgs at first, then less frequently, now much less frequently - busy with work/kids. He has also sponsored many guys over the years and has an active meditation practice. We are spiritual but not religious. Don't let the God stuff get in the way, you definitely don't have to believe anything.