Dad - Alcoholic?

LegacyUser

Hi there, Unreg for this.
My father (in his 50's) has been suffering from stress/depression recently which has really taken it's toll and him, and affected the family as a whole.
Recently, though, he seems to have taken to relying more upon drink, and as a result, has become more aggressive towards the family (not violent, just aggressive).

We had family round in the past few weeks, for which we bought masses of drinks: lager, spirits and wines. While they barely touched them, everything had gone within a few days. My mother acknowledges there is a problem, but refuses to raise the issue with him (she tried recently, told him he 'drank too much', he told her she 'ate too much' - which was obviously very upsetting)

I suppose my question is where do you draw the line between soemone who's 'fond of a drink' and someone with a drinking problem?

AckwelFoley

Unreg2009 wrote: »

I suppose my question is where do you draw the line between soemone who's 'fond of a drink' and someone with a drinking problem?

You draw the line when it affects his manner, is work and or his relationship with his family.

LegacyUser

There are two issues here your fathers depression and his drinking.

If your father is depressed then it is a medical problem and he should see his GP. People with depression often drink as a form of self medication but that doesn't make them alchoholic in itself. Alcoholism is where someone is addicted to the stuff regardless.

If your father is suffering from depression and using drink to cope with it you should be encouraging him to see his GP.

Drinking his way through depression won't help him. Also if he is alcoholic he may a;lspo need medical support.

Either way. Its the GP to start with IMHO.

LegacyUser

Unregistered wrote: »

There are two issues here your fathers depression and his drinking.

If your father is depressed then it is a medical problem and he should see his GP. People with depression often drink as a form of self medication but that doesn't make them alchoholic in itself. Alcoholism is where someone is addicted to the stuff regardless.

If your father is suffering from depression and using drink to cope with it you should be encouraging him to see his GP.

Drinking his way through depression won't help him. Also if he is alcoholic he may a;lspo need medical support.

Either way. Its the GP to start with IMHO.

He's been to the GP and is (officially) on medication for it, whether he's actually taking them or not is another question.

When he does take them, they don't really seem to help him, and, if I'm honest, the GP's useless.

So would you think the alcohol is a seperate issue or related?

LegacyUser

Unreg2009 wrote: »

He's been to the GP and is (officially) on medication for it, whether he's actually taking them or not is another question.

When he does take them, they don't really seem to help him, and, if I'm honest, the GP's useless.

So would you think the alcohol is a seperate issue or related?

A person can self medicate depression through alcohol and it is very common.

The GP only knows what the patient tells him.

If your fathers drinking like this is a fairly recent event then it does not follow that he is an alcoholic. I am not a doctor but have had depression and drank.

So if alcohol is contributing to his depression or interfering with his treatment that should be a concern.

Alcohol and depression is very much a chicken and egg situation. There is a time when it doesn't work.So if your Dad has been a heavy drinker for years it would be an issue.

Whichever it is you should bring the matter up with your GP.

I am not defending your father both alcoholism and depression are illnesses and can be managed but one can be a gateway to the other. His doctor might suggest a period of abstinence or alter his medication.

I have given up alcohol completely so know the dangers.

LegacyUser

Hey OP,

Mixing Anti-depressants and alcohol is a pretty bad idea...

you shoul check out www.al-anon-ireland.org ,a starting point at least.

Good Luck

Tom