bipolar or alcoholism

My aunt has had a functional drinking problem for years. She and her husband both that is. Since retirement a couple years ago, the once functional outside of the workplace drinking has increased by fractions. He, her husband of 30 yrs. has always been a yes dear / passive type, and she the extreme commander and chief. It has always been evident that he better not say much to disagree or tell her to get lost because she flips quick and even to the point of breakdown. More to now, he is at the point in age where he needs rest and moves slowly, so when he disappoints her by making independant decisions she puts her nails in his face. the next day like nothing happen as far as she is concerned. He thinks she might have been suffering the last several yrs from bipolar disease. Anyone agree?

I don't know but it sounds like he's been abused for years

Interesting. It isn't very common that someone "becomes" bipolar that late in life. If he was previously completely different, I would hesitate to suspect bipolar. Alcoholism can lead to a myriad of mental illnesses. This is definitely one of those cases where a mental health professional is needed to investigate what is going on.