Does he need help? is it serious?!

Does he need help? is it serious?

im really worried about my brother, he is 16 and uncontrolable, he has always been really good until about 6 months ago, then he started getting drunk a few times a week, at first my mum and dad would tell him off and ground him and this worked (as it did with me!)but then his best friend killed himself at the end of feb and things have got really bad, he drinks every day (says it is nothing to do with the death) but i not sure? my mum and dad just cant controll him anymore, if they try to ground him he would just laugh and threaten to get more drunk than usual, they are walking on egg shells constantly as they know he has been through so much this year (also just done gcse's) he has been to counceling a couple of times but says it was useless, he knows he can get away with anything (though he would never do anything criminal) we have never had to deal with a suicide before so do not know how best to handle this? anyone elso who has experienced this sort of thing? tried talking to him

1 month ago
he has lots of other friends and is really popular, there was like 6 of them who were all best friends, we talked about it a lot when it first happened but dont want to keep bringing it up, i don't even know if the death is the main factor in this or whether he just wants to get drunk, the problem is mainly my parents feel unable to control him now, they dont want to upset him so just give into him

This is a tough situation. My younger sister was on the same track for some years as a teenager. She saw a councilor and still went down the road. If your parents can get him to see a different councilor maybe that will help. Unfortunately he needs to want the help in order for it to work. You and your parents should also see a councilor. Arguing with someone in his state is a waste of time and counter productive for everyone involved. Punishing him will only make him more rebellious. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Good luck and God Bless.

P.S. My sister met someone who helped get back on track, They married and now have four children. She was one of the lucky ones.