My father is 46 years old and has struggled with alcoholism and addiction for more than half of his life. He has been in several different rehab programs and none of them have worked for him. He is stuck on the fact that he "can not" quit drinking. I've known for a long time that this would one day cause physical problems, but I've tried not to entertain that fact. However, just today, he informed me that he has been expierencing blood in his stool for about 3 months. He didn't want to tell me because he is afraid the doctors will tell him not to drink. He is a very depressed person and has struggled with this just as much as he has with his alcoholism. He is very determined not to go to a medical professional, but I am very determined to make him. I would like some type of general idea of what a doctor will tell me before I am there to not only prepare myself but my father as well. I would really appreciate a brief explanation of common links between severe alcoholism and rectal bleeding.