Hi Fowki..I am a recovering alcoholic who has been sober through AA for 21 years..I have also had Parkinsons for 8 years

Leesa gave you some great advise..The only thing I could add to Leesa's post is that I went to Al Anon for 7 years myself, and I got some new tools to work with, found out more about myself, and how my alcoholism effected other people, especially those closest to me

I use the AA's 12 steps to deal with my Parkinsons as well as my alcoholism, because I am powerless over it, and my life has become unmanageable because of it

This has been the most challenging year of my life due to the progression of my pd..Pd takes like acoholism does..the only difference is that I am not the one setting landmines for myself..I can stop drinking, but I cannot stop Parkinsons, and I have to come to terms with accepting the things I cannot change, and it has not been easy..I go to more meetings, atleast 9-10 per week..In AA and Al Anon, you will find people who genuinely care, and are there for you with no strings attached...I really believe if booze did not kill me before I got pd, I would have ended my own life if it werent for AA, and the people in it

I live in Rhode Island, the smalllest state in the country, and know most of the AA members in my state know I have pd, and I can go to a meeting 25 miles away, and someone will get me a soft chair to sit in, and put me up front where I wont be bumping into people when I get up..Someone will get me a coffee without me asking..I dont know where I would be had I not found AA

I went spirituallly and emotionally bankrupt for the past year, because of the progression of pd..I had a string of bad days, and I got up one morning, and thought about swallowing a bottle of pills, cuz I figure my pd was only going to get worse, and it would probably just be easier not to be around anymore..I felt useless and hopeless, just like I did at the end of my drinking, and those folks in AA brought me out of it through their love, compassion, understanding, and felllowship, and my putting one foot in front of the other..They told me that I inspired them by just showing up at meetings, no matter what, and not going back out drinking instead..I still go to meetings after 21 years, because there is still something in those rooms I want, and that is hope

I hope, and pray that your brother has that moment of clarity that will save his life, and change his life..It is there, it is free, and all you have to do is want it

As long as there is still life, there is still hope, and I have seen more than one miracle in the 21 years Ive been sober

All the best to you, and you brother, and may God Bless!!

Steve