Can alcohol be a symptom?

I've heard that character defects are the symptoms of the disease of alcoholism, but what if the person is not alcoholic, and has some other mental disorder that is amplified by the use of alcohol?

My mother has been battling depression and anxiety for years. She used to drink in the past. But her drinking was often hidden from others. It was her behavior after drinking that was alarming. Recently her behavior has returned and I strongly suspect she was drinking again.

Most people I know, including myself, get silly when drinking. There is a 'normal' reaction that most people have to alcohol. But when my mom drinks her personality and perception are altered in a negative way. She becomes confrontational and so sensitive that her perception of what happened is exaggerated in a negative way.

Afterwards her memory of the events are still exaggerated yet still irrational. I don't understand how she cannot rationalize her behavior after sobering up. This has led me to believe that alcohol is only a symptom or a catalyst of her problem.

Any thoughts?

Hi,

It is recognised that drinking alcohol cam amplify the symptoms of depression and anxiety. So, this is probably what is happening here. I am no alcoholic either but when I used to drink, my depression would sky-rocket and I would also become more confrontational. I think that the confrontational attitude is just due to sheer frustration of the world and the people in it. You should be careful though, because the depression due to alcohol can ecome so amplified in some cases that it leads to suicidal behaviour.

Kevin

Chucky wrote:You should be careful though, because the depression due to alcohol can ecome so amplified in some cases that it leads to suicidal behaviour.

Kevin

So what now? She should be apprehended and observed for 72 hours due to her supposed behavior, eg. suicidal behavior? This happens to be a subjective term that most people cannot agree on a definition to. The only time one should be apprehended and taken against their will is when they have committed a crime or their behavior becomes a threat to society at large.

Jesus dude, who ever mentioned anything about being detained against their will? I mentioned the word 'suicide' in the hope that dstar would begin to pay closer attention to his mother's behaviour. I never once implied or inferred that she should be taken away against her will. There are countless people living today with suicidal thoughts, but they never act on them.

Chucky wrote:Jesus dude, who ever mentioned anything about being detained against their will? I mentioned the word 'suicide' in the hope that dstar would begin to pay closer attention to his mother's behaviour. I never once implied or inferred that she should be taken away against her will. There are countless people living today with suicidal thoughts, but they never act on them.

Look, there is no doubt alcohol induces suicidal behavior in some individuals. The question is how do you respond to that? And by applying the necessary precautions, like you said, this could easily mean involuntary confinement. If that is not what you meant that is fine. But a little clarification is a must. It is an easy mistake to believe that, as the majority believes, one should be detained in the event of such behavior or thoughts.

The only reason I bring the issue up is because I was rushed to the ER, my apartment searched for drugs, because my idiot friend thought I had hurt myself. I could have been placed in a mental facility. All because my friend is an idiot, and I don't know this woman but if her son is an idiot on par with my friend, then this issue needs to be addressed at some point. Because that is where she is heading: To the mental institution.

And if I can prevent one person of sound mind from going there by reassuring her son I will do it.

Hi,

Yes, I read your other post about what happened when you were rushed to ER. You are right too: I should have clarified more the 'suicidal' issue when I mentioned it. How is everything now with you anyway? I mean, who will be paying the medical bills?

Kevin

Chucky wrote:Hi,

Yes, I read your other post about what happened when you were rushed to ER. You are right too: I should have clarified more the 'suicidal' issue when I mentioned it. How is everything now with you anyway? I mean, who will be paying the medical bills?

Kevin

My friend when I take him to court.

Glad to hear it (I think). Friendships are so transient, I have found. I'm sure that some people have strong bonds with people, but I have never bonded well with anyone. I continually 'recycle' friends. Anyway, good luck with it. I hope that thing work out for you.

I would very well say there probably is a possibility that she has a mental disorder (I roomed with an alcoholic Schizophrenic once...$#%^), I get a little confrontational when met with any sort of unreasonable authority when hammered (Asperger's), and Chucky there (tell me if calling you out like this is against your wishes as you've been very open about it, apologies if so) is most likely in the same boat as me. Now on the other hand I've seen the exact opposite in people diagnosed as Bipolar, not to mention the same irritability. This is why they need to meet the criteria for a mental disorder sober, but depression could be the cause. In some cases though I find that sometimes the depressive effects of alcohol could also cancel it out somehow, perhaps the knowledge that happiness is one swig away? Of course also if she's bipolar the highs and lows still go on when drunk, and these could be the reason it carries through. But like I said, back to square one.