Addiction to Alcohol/do we have a problem?

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/8/2010


Question
My boyfriend (age 52)and I have been together for 2+ yrs. His drinking has increased to the point that he is now drinking anywhere from a pint to a fifth of vodka a day. He claims it's due to an injury he had 4 yrs ago, that the pain is overwhelming.  He also takes oxycodone daily for pain.  He admits that "he drinks too much" and continually says he'll try to cut back. Sometimes he does, but at times of stress he's right back where he started from. He's never been abusive physically and not really emotionally either, but he can get nasty and somewhat  belligerent.  We also only have sex about once every 8-10 weeks :( and it's always quick and not usually good.  My ex is an alcoholic and I endured a living hell with him.  I keep telling myself that this guy's nothing like my ex, that he's really a nice guy and maybe his overindulgence is somewhat justified due to his chronic pain. What do you think?  Is there anything I can do to help him? Should I really be worried this will just get worse?

Answer

Beverley Glazer MA. IC
Hi BJ

Due to the accident, your boyfriend has chronic pain and has been prescribed oxycodone for pain control. Unfortunately it's not doing the job, so he's also self-medicating with vodka.

The alcohol interacts with his medication and it's also damaging him physically, but there's no way of telling whether he can cut down or eliminate it, because when he's in pain he'll resort to taking a drinking. He has no other way of coping.

Suggest that he set up an appointment with his doctor. It may also be helpful if you attend the first session to make sure that the physician has the full picture. Your boyfriend's medication may have to be adjusted or additional medication added. You can also ask his physician if a pain clinic would be beneficial as well.

Quite probably the medication combined with the alcohol is also affecting his sexual desire and performance.

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

All the best,

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

Beverley Glazer

Expertise

I can answer questions on all addictive behaviors: alcohol, drugs, food, compulsive sex, codependency, gambling, compulsive shoplifting etc.

Experience

I have over 20 years experience working in the addiction field. My experience extends to all levels of substance abuse. I've worked in rehabs and detox centers, prisons and half-way houses and have a busy private practice as well as an active website where I can be reached for recovery coaching and consultation. I am a cognitive behavioral therapist, but 12-step programs are an excellent support. When working in the addiction field, there is no cookie-cutter solution. In the recovery field, you witness miracles. That's why I love what I do.

Organizations
NAADAC The Association for Addiction Professionals, CACCF Canadian Addiction Counselors Federation, CCA Canadian Counseling Association, For more information please see: http://www.untwist-your-thinking.com

Education/Credentials
BA Psychology, MA Counseling Psychology, ICADC International Alcohol and Drug Counselor, ICAC International Clinical Addiction Counselor, CGC Certified Gambling Counselor.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.