The Diary of a Victim of an Alcoholic

News media tells us that the rate of fatalities from excess drinking in 2022 in the UK were 41% higher than in 2019 with women showing the biggest rise. It was a record high in 2022. There were 16.6 deaths caused by alcohol per 100,000 in 2022 compared to 11.8. The information comes from the UK's Office for National Statistics. The research indicated that those who were drinking quite a lot of alcohol before the pandemic increased their consumption during the pandemic. It doesn't take a lot of imagination to understand why. The long lockdowns. The long periods of furlough during which, in the UK, people received 80% of their salary from the UK government grants. That proved far too expensive and it was far too generous in my view. But it is clear that when a government allows people to do nothing for long periods of time while receiving a good income, they gradually disintegrate in terms of their personal care, well-being and structure in their life. People need the structure a...

There is a difference between binge alcoholism and day-to-day or traditional alcoholism. I will discuss this from personal experience. And I don't mean me being an alcoholic because I am teetotal. I'm talking about looking after Jane who is a binge alcoholic and has been for 40 years perhaps. Jane I think you will find different definitions of binge alcoholism. For me, and in respect of Jane, it means going long periods without any alcohol at all. This period may last several weeks or up to 3 months. Nowadays, it lasts about 2 to 3 months. In the past this period of abstention lasted for a few weeks. Her binge alcoholism has changed over the years. Binge alcoholism for Jane follows a schedule with big breaks in-between very heavy drinking. And I believe that she follows her internal clock. I also believe that she knows when she is going to start a binge. In fact she plans it to a certain extent. That is why, for instance, she binges just after Christmas. The devastating point i...

Jane, the protagonist in this blog, is constantly in profound denial about her alcoholism. You simply cannot talk to her about it. If you try she becomes angry and argumentative. She simply refuses to discuss her alcoholism which perpetuates it because you can never tackle it.  Denial is lying to oneself... She doesn't allow other people to discuss it. Although in an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting she will play the role and admit to her alcoholism. However, it has never worked to stop her alcoholism. Her denial is so profound that I don't see any hope of her changing. Denial is a type of defence mechanism . Through denial you ignore the reality of the situation that you are in. The purpose? To avoid anxiety. It is therefore a defence mechanism. It helps to cope with distressing feelings. A person in denial does not acknowledge reality.  They deny the consequences of reality. This is that they are an alcoholic. Alcoholism ruins your life or severely curtails enjoyment. It can mak...

A daughter has described her mother's descent into alcoholism (Metro online newspaper). Every step of the way including her death ticks a box about alcoholism. It's a good story for that reason but it is tragic. Utterly tragic. By that I mean for the daughter more than for the mother. She was drinking two litres of spirits every day and was out of it. It is always the relatives who suffer the most and here is her story summarised. Note: please forgive the odd typo. This was written in haste. Note 2: I have cared for a binge alcoholic for years 😎😢 . But time is running out. I can't really do it anymore. It is too hard or too horrendous to be honest. Although Jane (not her real name) is sober for three months on the trot until the next 4-5 week binge comes along followed by 3 weeks in hospital if she survives. The binges are very severe. Her mother always liked a tipple. She would drink in the evening and then progressed to having a drink before she went to bed and then to ...

Yes, it can contribute to dementia. Here are some pointers from an extensive internet search and from personal experience (from observing an alcoholic). Personal experience: I think Jane is losing her memory and I think it is due to her drinking. I'm speculating but it looks a bit like that. Alcoholism can indeed contribute to the development of dementia , although the relationship is multifaceted. Let’s explore this further: Alcohol-Related ‘Dementia’ : Alcohol-related ‘dementia’ is a type of alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) . It occurs due to chronic and excessive alcohol consumption over many years. Individuals with alcohol-related ‘dementia’ struggle with day-to-day tasks because of brain damage caused by alcohol. Common symptoms include memory loss, difficulty thinking, and problems with complex tasks like managing finances or cooking meals. Brain scans often reveal significant shrinkage in certain areas, particularly the frontal lobes, which are particularly affected by ...

Firstly, I would like to tell you why I think Jane became an alcoholic. She had no definitive diagnosis but this is my opinion. Below the picture are some general views on alcoholism. She finds life too hard. She finds life too hard because emotionally and mentally her development was arrested I believe. She sometimes behaves like a 14-year-old. With that mentality life can become very hard. If life is hard you tend to want to get out of it and alcohol is a route to achieve that objective. Also, her parents argued a hell of a lot. I believe that as a child she felt guilty that she was the cause of these arguments. This affected her self-esteem. She has low self-esteem. Low self-esteem makes life more difficult because it knocks your confidence. And you think things are your fault. You become anxious and anxiety can lead to depression and depression can also lead to alcoholism. In my view, her alcoholism originates in her early years and it's due to an environment created by her par...

  Sorry that the picture is disrespectful. It was created by AI! I have respect for alcoholics. There but for the grace of God go I as the saying goes. Certainly! Here are 10 warning signs that might indicate alcoholism: Drinking Alone and in Secrecy : If you find yourself frequently drinking alone or hiding your alcohol consumption from others, it could be a sign of alcoholism. Losing Interest in Other Activities : A decline in interest or enjoyment of activities you once found pleasurable may be linked to alcohol abuse. Alcohol Cravings : Strong cravings for alcohol, especially when you’re not drinking, can be indicative of a problem. Prioritizing Drinking Over Responsibilities : When alcohol becomes more important than work, family, or other obligations, it’s a red flag. Experiencing Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms : If you suffer from withdrawal symptoms like tremors, anxiety, or nausea when you don’t drink, it’s a concerning sign. Lying, lying and lying some more!! Alcoholic...