Can You Answer a Question About Alcoholics?
Question by isotope2007: Can you answer a question about alcoholics?
I have a friend who is an alcoholic, he hadnt drank for years, then went on a two month binge, drunk out of his mind everyday or every night –
Since that time he hasnt been the same person. For one thing he is a lot dumber then he was and his memory is pretty much shot.
I know people who drink too much over time can get a “wet brain” and I know one person who used to be very smart who is now a complete idiot, brain damaged from drinking –
My question is “can it hit like that? two months of being drunk on rot gut Chinese alcohol and you sober up and are suddenly an idiot wth an impaired memory and honestly a lot dumber and less intelligent that you were?”
Its sad, he isnt the person he was before he went on this binge. He is often confused, he cant remember things he has to know for his joh and DID know – its like his IQ dropped about 50 points — his personality has changed too.
Some facts, he is in his mid 50’s and has or claims to have no memory of those 2 months — he has had at least one black out since then, even tho he isnt drinking, and I suspect there have been other blackouts too. And he flat out refuses to see a doctor.
Personality changes in diet, hygiene, and a sudden complete disregard for his health, as in refusing to see a doctor or take high blood pressure medication.
He didnt have high blood pressure before this binge,
And he has suddenly developed a paunch which I am now wondering could be related to liver damage.
So could ALL of this have happened or been caused by a two month binge? Has anyone else ever seen this or know this to happen to someone?
I put this in seniors because they have seen more, and know more and have more experience with human failings and triumphs than any other category on here
I know it is just a very very short step to another drink and another – he will admit he is an alcoholic and then vehemently deny it – he is in complete denial, even when confronted by friends about his behavior when drinking. One night in particular when he needed a drink so bad he bought a jug of the cheapest wine available in China and jugged it down, its smells like turpentine, and even peasants wouldnt drink it, The saddest thing to me is the mental deterioration, the person who was my friend just isnt there anymore. Its like the lights are on but the house is empty. The soul is gone, and the intelligence, you cant even have an intelligent conversation with him anymore.
Its been 2 years since this binge and he has refused to see a doctor in all that time. I got him into an addictions counselor and once then he denied having a problem, he did admit to the one black out to the counselor and then immediately recanted and said he hadnt said that and we were both making up lies about him. He has also claimed everyone he works with is making up lies about him when confronted with things, and flatly refuses to admit to things he said and did. He HAS to know on some level that he did say and do what people tell him he did, dont you think or is his brain too far gone to even know that?.
Some of what the Chinese drink is almost pure alcohol, worse than 200 proof vodka apparrently, whatever that is
I am not that involved and not at all involved emotionally with this person. As far as I am concerned he made his choices and continues to do so.
These are his choices, his problems and his to get help with or stay in denial until it kills him. Either way its his choice, I am not involved and dont wish to be. I introduced him a friend who is an addictions counselor like I said, and the rest was up to him.
It is sad that the friend I DID have no longer lives there but that is where it ends for me.
The sum total of any “involvement” is for me, loss of a friend, who to all intent and purposes is dead, gone forever – the person who has replaced him could never be called “friend” by me or anyone else.
I dont want him in my life, have as little to do with him as possible, and refuse to be dragged into his dramas.
I was just wondering if anyone else had ever seen this happen like this. I have been researching binge drinking and its more dangerous than long term daily drinking when it comes to brain damage, so there is the answer. He obviously destroyed his brain during a 2 month binge —
Best answer:
What do you think? Answer below!