Here is another article with important information. It's important to understand what IS changing the other person in whatever the relationship is be it friend, parent, spouse, or boyfriend or sibling or even one's own child. Often individuals with anxiety disorders turn to alcohol to cope, however, the alcohol's true affects on the brain actually contribute to making the challenge even worse. We often talk about how it's not appropriate to diagnose another person and how that is a job for a professional. It's important to keep that in mind when someone shares the problems they have when consuming alcohol do not diagnose. Telling that person they do not have a problem is inappropriate in that only a professional can determine that. However, what my friend told me many years ago now does ring true, "If alcohol is brought up during relationship challenges there IS a problem". Then she took me to an alanon meeting and that's when I finally told my husband I could no longer live with his problem. That is the day 29 years ago he went an AA meeting and learned he DID have a problem and he has not had a drink since. He has made many friends that also are committed to living their lives sober.

Mental Health and Alcohol Abuse: Pychological Effects of Drinking