Expert: Beverley Glazer - 5/7/2010

Question
Hi,
I am writing in regards to a very good friend who also happens to be my room mate. I tried to find some information on here but nothing really matched the issue I have observed over the past couple years. I know that when being under the influence of alcohol people tend to change along with their personalities but is it possible for someone who doesnt necessarily have a drinking problem to have a split personality? At times she can drink on a day to day basis but then there is times where days will go by and she will not touch a beer or anything but as soon as she does her voice changes her facial expression I mean everything changes to the point where it scares me. She doesnt get violent she doesnt verbally abuse but she seriously makes me feel like I am dealing with an entirely different person. She also looks for stuff that isnt there she will spend hours sesrching and searching in one spot for nothing .... she will repeat herself over 10 times about the same thing and not remember telling it in the first place. The next day she barely remembers anything at all and I mean this is off of maybe 1-3 beers or maybe a forty or something. It has become so serious that I need to know if it would be maybe a chemical in balance in her brain that she isnt aware of or maybe something from her childhood that makes her this way. I live with her and have to deal with this whenever she is drinking I drink myself but I have never seen anyone change the way she changes. she is very calm and sweet but not the same person people who have never met her sober and meet her drunk or just a little under the influence look at her as if something is really wrong with her and then when they meet her sober they cant believe it is the same person.
I am not sure if this is making any sense but I need some kind of insight so I can possibly address someway even if it involves her not drinking ever again and going to meetings.
Please help...

Answer
Hi Neysha,

The way someone reacts to alcohol depends on genetics, their constitution, their neurological system, as well as other factors.

Some people become filled with rage when they're drinking and this also varies. For some, the anger could surface after one drink, while for others it may take quite a few. The speed of the onset of their rage may depend on their mood and stress level prior to drinking.

What I question is not the rage as much as her obsessive repetitive behavior. This type of behavior is often associated with drugs -- legal or illegal. Does your room mate use energy drinks or diet pills? She also might be on medication which conflicts with alcohol.

Tell her about your concern for her. If it's only the alcohol that brings out this behavior, she may simply have to avoid it. It's probably not necessary for her to go to meetings.

I hope this information is helpful,
Thank you for asking AllExperts

Regards,

Bev
http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com