[Annie_Donia8]

Hi,

I am new here, and just wondering whether anyone can give me some advice. My dad has a huge problem with substance abuse, and he blames his alcohol and drug splurges on his depression.

I am a third year psychology student and realise that certain drugs and all alcohol have effects on dopamine and serotonin which are the neurotransmitters responsible for a healthy happy state of mind.

How do i explain to my dad that alcohol and drugs can actually make him feel more depressed? And secondly, how do I show my dad that he does in fact have a problem with alcohol? I have found his hidden alcohol and showed that i have found it - but he is dellusional and believes that i dont have any idea about his problem. Where do i start? How must i react to his unhealthy drinking habits??

[sabby]

Hi Annie and welcome to PC!

My dad was an alcoholic and so was my first husband. It didn't matter how much medical information I could give either of them, neither one of them was interested in those facts.

It's very possible that at some point your dad did start drinking because he felt depressed. Of course the booze aggrevates it terribly as it is a depressant. (along with other drugs)

If your dad has been drinking and taking drugs from many years, you can be pretty sure that his ability to think logically about this situation has been terribly compromised. It will take a huge amount of time and work to help your dad understand what he is doing to himself. Not only that, he has to be willing to accept the fact that he has a problem before he can make any changes in his lifestyle and work towards freeing himself from his addiction.

If he is not in that place right now, he will not hear you, he will not hear your concern or love...what he will hear is that you are nagging him and making more of the problem than there really is (in his line of thinking). Alcoholics (drug addicts) are skilled at rationalizing their addiction and convincing not only themselves but others that they don't have a problem or that others are the reason for their problems.

Annie, we have a wonderful Substance Abuse Forum here where people share their struggles, their sucesses and what it takes to get and stay sober. There are also folks who are supporting loved ones who are going through the same thing you and your dad are going through. I'm sure you will find some great support there.

I do hope you find some help and support in your quest to help your dad. I do know that Al-Anon is also a wonderful group and you might find some answers there too. I wish you and your dad well. I know how difficult your situation can be...I've lived it myself.


sabby

[jurplesman]

People use alcohol in excess usually because they are usually bombarded with the stress hormones (adrenaline) for which alcohol is an antidote. Thus if we want to treat alcoholism we need to treat the internal biochemical mechanism that produces too much adrenaline.

Adrenaline is not only a hormone that helps us to take drastic action in case of an emergency, but it is also a hormone that increases the blood sugar supply to the brain, when it senses an energy starvation.

The brain is very sensitive to and dependent on glucose as its only source of Biological Energy called (ATP). Without it even for short periods and the brain will die. This energy is also essential in the manufacture of serotonin from Tryptophan.

Please read:

Alcoholism is a Treatable Disease

Why alcoholics drink?