Living with Alcoholism: Part Five

D's addiction to beer is evident the minute you're around him. After he's been drinking, you can smell it from a mile away. His years of alcohol abuse are taking a toll on his mind. He's continuously paranoid that his family are conspiring against him and have all these plans that he's not part of. Also, D feels that his wife must be having a secret affair because they haven't been intimate for years, so he assumes she's getting it elsewhere. Despite their constant arguing, D still loves N very much and doesn't want her to leave. D's drinking has caused a short fuse in his temper. He's easily angered and very impatient. His sensitivity is affected as well, which causes him to cry over things that seemingly shouldn't be cried over. On the whole, D has completely changed as a person, as a husband, and as a father because of his alcoholism.

1. How old were you when you started drinking?
16

2. How do you feel when you drink?
In a good mood but also alone

3. What makes you want to drink?
To feel good, arguments, and the taste

4. Are there any situations that make you drink more or less than usual? What are they?
Arguing with my wife, parties.

5. How do you feel when you haven't had a drink for a while?
Shaky

6. How much do you estimate that you drink every day?
At least 6 beers

7. Do you ever feel that you drink more in a day than you should?
Always

8. If so, how often do you feel this way? If not, do you feel you drink just enough or not enough throughout the day?
Quite often

9. Do you see special occasions as an excuse to consume more alcohol?
Yes

10. How did you feel during the periods that you were in detox?
Shaky, sad, alone.

11. How did your family treat you during your stays there?
With lots of respect and support.

12. What were they like when you got out?
Happy and pleased.

13. Why would you start drinking again?
Parties and weak

14. How would you describe your relationship with your family?
Distant but it's my fault.

15. How do you feel about your wife?
I love her with all my heart and soul, if I have one.

16. How do you feel about your children?
I love them with all my heart.

17. Would you like a better relationship with your family?
Yes very much so

18. Have there been any better times, or on the opposite end, worse times than others?
More worse than better.

19. In what ways do you think you and your family have been affected by alcohol?
Arguments, loss of respect on my behalf.

20. What do you want to change about your life?
To get back the respect from my family, quit drinking, and find a job.

21. Would you ever go back to detox? Why or why not?
No. Too lonely, too far away from family.

22. Do you ever see things getting better?
Not sure. I have hope, but it's all up to me.

23. Do you think you may have any other possible addictions excluding alcohol?
No not an addiction, but I do like to smoke a joint every so often. Very rare.

24. Do you think you have an addiction to alcohol?
Yes very much so. But I am trying to get it under control.