Originally Posted by
sunshine27 
After the phone conversation I started reading up on verbal and emotional abuse. It all made sense. The alcohol has nothing to do with it actually.
Sunshine, I applaud the steps you are taking to make a better, happier life for yourself.
As for the above quote, from everything I have read and learned, alcohol tends to amplify a person's innate temperament - if they are abusive and violent, the abuse gets worse. If they are melancholic and depressed, they sink deeper down. If they are paranoid and anxious, well, you get the idea.
My father was often emotionally and verbally abusive - and the most he ever had to drink was a glass of wine with dinner. I have often thought that if he
had been an alcoholic, all that rage would have taken an even nastier turn...
Keep taking good care of yourself - you're doing great!