November 3rd, 2010 
judowolf 
Placing the empty bourbon glass on the counter, I reflected on the time, I gave an alcoholic alcohol to quiet the beast so he would not wreak havoc.
Frank was an alcoholic I visited, who lived alone, and needed alcohol to remain at an even keel. Frank admitted his alcoholism, talked about going to AA, and wanted to stop drinking before he died. I understood his situation, but explained quitting would not help his terminal cancer. Frank agreed and convinced me he will not change this lifelong habit.
Six months later, I received a call from a hospice nurse, stating Frank is going into the DT’s (delirium tremens – most serious of severe syndromes when an alcoholic stops drinking), and is going to call an ambulance. I advised her to give Frank some alcohol, but states she cannot do this in good conscience, so he tells her to wait for his arrival.
Frank was sitting at his kitchen table, in the beginning stages of the DT’s, and told me the last drink he had was yesterday. I asked where he kept his alcohol, got it, poured him half a glass, Frank drinks it, and with-in half an hour is feeling better. Frank tells me that was close and promises he will drink his regular amount every day.
I went outside with the nurse and she questioned why I gave Frank the alcohol when he wanted to stop. I replied Frank was dying and for him to go into the DT’s would make his remaining life miserable. Sometimes, in our profession it is necessary to keep the beast (alcohol) quiet, or it will wreak havoc. This may go against what we learned in school, but this patient is dying, and our job is to keep him comfortable, not add to his misery.
Reader, what would you do in this situation? Was the older man right or the nurse? Give me your feedback and I will holler back.
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