Is he bipolar or is he just an alcoholic?!?!
Question: So my moms boyfriend drinks ALOT!! like TOO much. He is def. an alcoholic. and the past few days he has gotten REALLY mean, he hasnt done anything to hurt anyone YET. Him and my mom have been together for about 7 years and we have been living with him for about 3 or 4yrs. things have gotten worse, arguments that is. he yells at us and calls us stupid and pigs and so on, but only when he is drunk, he is NEVER like this when he is sober?! I know people say he is just a "MEAN" drunk, but this is REALLLLLY bad. Example?! okay so last night--him and my mom went to a christmas party and he had a few jack and coke, after drinking a few beers in the day time, well he came home, and im asleep in my bed and he YELLS at me to come out of the bedroom and tells me i cant save my food by putting it in the fridge....and that our fridge isnt a STORAGE place, when in all reality--it is. Usually he is nice to me during the day but when he starts to drink, it goes to H****...what do you think?!!
Answers: So my moms boyfriend drinks ALOT!! like TOO much. He is def. an alcoholic. and the past few days he has gotten REALLY mean, he hasnt done anything to hurt anyone YET. Him and my mom have been together for about 7 years and we have been living with him for about 3 or 4yrs. things have gotten worse, arguments that is. he yells at us and calls us stupid and pigs and so on, but only when he is drunk, he is NEVER like this when he is sober?! I know people say he is just a "MEAN" drunk, but this is REALLLLLY bad. Example?! okay so last night--him and my mom went to a christmas party and he had a few jack and coke, after drinking a few beers in the day time, well he came home, and im asleep in my bed and he YELLS at me to come out of the bedroom and tells me i cant save my food by putting it in the fridge....and that our fridge isnt a STORAGE place, when in all reality--it is. Usually he is nice to me during the day but when he starts to drink, it goes to H****...what do you think?!!
Your initial question is an interesting one The fact is, people who are alcoholic often appear to be bipolar, or schizophrenic, and sometimes get that diagnosis from the mental health profession, which they then take as some sort of justification of their terrible behaviour. But if they become sober, lo and behold, the bipolar or schizophrenia disappears. So - I guess he is 'just' an alcoholic, but using the word 'just' suggests it's trivial. It isn't.
Alcoholism is one of the worst conditions in terms of its impact on the people around the sufferer. You are having a seriously unpleasant time as a result of how he is, and your mother is suffering too, though she may not admit quite how bad it is. If you are at school, I'd suggest you talk to a tutor or counsellor - if there is a counsellor at your school, this could be a good support for you. But you also need practical help - this man is potentially a danger, physically and psychologically. I am hoping you don't have any younger siblings, but if you do and you think they are in danger in any way, you could report this. Can you talk to your mother? Do you know why she stays with him? I guess she is afraid of being on her own, but perhaps, if you feel able, you could talk to her and tell her how you're feeling. This might help her deal with things more.
Above all, remember that you are not to blame for how he behaves, and make sure you look after yourself. This man is probably hurting inside, but he has not taken responsibility for himself, which means he is dangerous, out of control and not going to change in the near future. If there is an AlAnon or Alateen group in your area (look at the Alcoholics Anonymous, AA, website or do a search for AlAnon and Alateen), this could be a great place to get support. These are groups of people living with, or close to, an alcoholic, and offer support in positive and active ways. If you do nothing else, find an AlAnon or Alateen group. Good luck.
sounds like an alcoholic
Where did the bipolar come in effect?
Just an alcoholic
If his attitude changes only when he's been drinking, then he's just a mean drunk.
People with Bi-Polar disease cannot control (except through medication) the severity of a manic attack or depression. Their behaviors can last for days or weeks, and if they are prescribed medication for their condition, then drinking is usually off-limits to them due to drug interaction with alcohol.
he's definitely an alcoholic!! and you NEED to talk to your mom about this, it won't be the easiest thing since she loves him and probably doesn't wan to face it...but just voice your concern about how he could potentially hurt someone or himself. he totally needs professional help..he may not even admit it but just take a step in the right direction by talking to your mom about this..you AND her shouldn't have to tolerate it and push it under the rug when he calls you those names and whatnot..its not right. talk to your mom, a counselor, trusted fam. member or friend, anyone.
Sounds like he is just a mean drunk. I have a relative who is bipolar and you would definitely know if he was bipolar. He goes through phases where he is really mean and says horrible things to people and it is not because he is drunk.