Relative Acting Drunk Days After Not Drinking
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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Relative Acting Drunk Days After Not Drinking
I'm hoping someone here can help me understand something.
My dad is an alcoholic. He can go days without drinking but when he starts he cannot stop and will drink heavily a few times a month.
On a recent Friday, he got together with a friend and they together finished a bottle of wine and a bottle of scotch. Both very hungover the next day.
All day Saturday I was around him and he didn't have anything to drink. My mom was also with him all day and didn't see him drink.
Mom and I were with him all morning Subnday (including late morning church services). We can say with a 100 percent certainty he didn't touch alcohol all morning and seemed fine.
We showed up to a family event at 1:00 and he seemed drunk the moment he showed up. He acted like he does when he's drunk - pugnacious, confused, calling people by wrong name, requiring multiple explanations before understanding things, cursing heavily.
Both mom and I can say as an absolute fact that he didn't drink Saturday or Sunday. But he was absolutely drunk at the family gathering. Dad is not one to sneak drink. He's open about it. Plus he never left our side so we don't know when he would have sneaked a drink anyway.
Has this happened to any of you? Is there an explanation? I'm worried about this
Any insight is appreciated.
My dad is an alcoholic. He can go days without drinking but when he starts he cannot stop and will drink heavily a few times a month.
On a recent Friday, he got together with a friend and they together finished a bottle of wine and a bottle of scotch. Both very hungover the next day.
All day Saturday I was around him and he didn't have anything to drink. My mom was also with him all day and didn't see him drink.
Mom and I were with him all morning Subnday (including late morning church services). We can say with a 100 percent certainty he didn't touch alcohol all morning and seemed fine.
We showed up to a family event at 1:00 and he seemed drunk the moment he showed up. He acted like he does when he's drunk - pugnacious, confused, calling people by wrong name, requiring multiple explanations before understanding things, cursing heavily.
Both mom and I can say as an absolute fact that he didn't drink Saturday or Sunday. But he was absolutely drunk at the family gathering. Dad is not one to sneak drink. He's open about it. Plus he never left our side so we don't know when he would have sneaked a drink anyway.
Has this happened to any of you? Is there an explanation? I'm worried about this
Any insight is appreciated.
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 333
There is the possibility of bathroom drinking. You can't be at someone's side 100% of the time in any given day.
There is also a remote possibility of a Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast infection in his stomach, which would cause his body to actually produce alcohol any time he ate sugary or starchy foods. There was an article on it a few years ago: Auto-Brewery Syndrome: Apparently, You Can Make Beer In Your Gut : The Salt : NPR
There is also a remote possibility of a Saccharomyces Cerevisiae yeast infection in his stomach, which would cause his body to actually produce alcohol any time he ate sugary or starchy foods. There was an article on it a few years ago: Auto-Brewery Syndrome: Apparently, You Can Make Beer In Your Gut : The Salt : NPR
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 413
Yes, the explanation is that he drank.
He probably hid it in the bathroom. Or some other place that he could go to be alone for a moment and not be noticed. Maybe a kitchen cabinet, or behind a piece of furniture. You also say that "he seemed drunk the moment he showed up." This implies that he traveled separately and that your Mom and you were already at the event, so maybe the bottle was under the seat of his car? Could even have been a pint bottle in his pocket.
Hiding one's drinking is very common alcoholic behavior. And not seeing it is very common among family members.
He probably hid it in the bathroom. Or some other place that he could go to be alone for a moment and not be noticed. Maybe a kitchen cabinet, or behind a piece of furniture. You also say that "he seemed drunk the moment he showed up." This implies that he traveled separately and that your Mom and you were already at the event, so maybe the bottle was under the seat of his car? Could even have been a pint bottle in his pocket.
Hiding one's drinking is very common alcoholic behavior. And not seeing it is very common among family members.
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Join Date: Jun 2015
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He did not drive seperately. Mom drove and I sat next to him. Believe me when I say we were next to him all morning.
I'm willing to say it is psychological or some other medical issue. But i can vouch he wasn't touching alcohol
I'm willing to say it is psychological or some other medical issue. But i can vouch he wasn't touching alcohol
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Hi Fastone, if he went to the bathroom, he probably drank. I know you think he didn't, but you can hide it very well with miniatures. You just need a moment to slip it into whatever you're drinking.
I suppose you're wondering about some sort of brain damage? It's a possibility, but you wouldn't expect it to mimic all the signs of drunkenness as you've described. Like most F&F, I'm sure you're very sensitive to his behaviour when drunk and all he would have needed was a moment to have a swallow of spirits. If you're really bothered about it, you could have a look around at home or in the car for bottles, but you'd probably only be confirming what you know already.
I suppose you're wondering about some sort of brain damage? It's a possibility, but you wouldn't expect it to mimic all the signs of drunkenness as you've described. Like most F&F, I'm sure you're very sensitive to his behaviour when drunk and all he would have needed was a moment to have a swallow of spirits. If you're really bothered about it, you could have a look around at home or in the car for bottles, but you'd probably only be confirming what you know already.
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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It's very easy to drink without being observed. Alcoholics have perfected the art.
The other possibility is that he was in withdrawal. That can cause bizarre behavior. Either way, it has to do with his alcoholism.
Sounds like you and your mom would benefit from Al-Anon. I suggest you find a group and attend some meetings.
The other possibility is that he was in withdrawal. That can cause bizarre behavior. Either way, it has to do with his alcoholism.
Sounds like you and your mom would benefit from Al-Anon. I suggest you find a group and attend some meetings.
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Join Date: Oct 2014
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LexieCat,
Can you explain about potential bizarre withdrawal behavior? I notice similar, drunken-seeming behavior in my AH as Fastone75, even when I think he hasn't been drinking. (It's possible he's either hiding it or still drunk from the night before, however. And he never has regular hangover symptoms, which I've read may be because he comes from a family of alcoholics, so he may process alcohol differently than the rest of us.)
Can you explain about potential bizarre withdrawal behavior? I notice similar, drunken-seeming behavior in my AH as Fastone75, even when I think he hasn't been drinking. (It's possible he's either hiding it or still drunk from the night before, however. And he never has regular hangover symptoms, which I've read may be because he comes from a family of alcoholics, so he may process alcohol differently than the rest of us.)
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Join Date: Oct 2013
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Is he on any medication? I used to "cure" my hangovers with benzodiazepines, which are basically alcohol in pill form as my dr. put it. Taking one too many would easily cause a drunken like state but without the smell of alcohol, bloating, burping, hangovers etc.
I was on them for anxiety they worked good for it, but it was a little too good for me.
They are easily obtained and popping a pill can be so easy that nobody around will notice, unless one becomes intoxicated from it. Otherwise I can also verify how easy it is to sneak drinks around people, an active alcoholic can be so crafty.
I was on them for anxiety they worked good for it, but it was a little too good for me.
They are easily obtained and popping a pill can be so easy that nobody around will notice, unless one becomes intoxicated from it. Otherwise I can also verify how easy it is to sneak drinks around people, an active alcoholic can be so crafty.
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,633
I know that some people try to overcompensate for how they are feeling during withdrawal. It can make you feel unable to focus or concentrate or to pick up on other people's cues, for example. Maybe talking more loudly than you need to, for instance, or trying to be exaggeratedly "normal". People who get deep into withdrawal can actually hallucinate, have seizures, etc.
I'm really just guessing based upon what I've experienced and observed.
But seriously, don't discount the possibility that he is secretly drinking. You might never see it. There are people on this forum who were completely floored to find out their partners had a drinking problem because they NEVER saw them drink.
I'm really just guessing based upon what I've experienced and observed.
But seriously, don't discount the possibility that he is secretly drinking. You might never see it. There are people on this forum who were completely floored to find out their partners had a drinking problem because they NEVER saw them drink.
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Australia
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My AH used to 'top up drink' - so his blood alcohol would have already been mid range (and dropping) from the previous drinking session - and then he'd have a 'couple' of drinks - and suddenly 'appear' really drunk.
It would be very easy to sneak a couple of drinks. I would have SWORN my AH hadn't had the opportunity to drink when in fact it was later revealed he had.
Also our ER explained to me that alcoholics tend to 'look' more drunk when their blood alcohol is decreasing rather than increasing - they explained the physiological mechanism for this but I cant remember what it is! Eg BAC 0.25 on the way up doesn't look as drunk as 0.25 on the way down...the behaviour as their BAC is decreasing is more characteristic of what we'd associated with drunkenness.
It would be very easy to sneak a couple of drinks. I would have SWORN my AH hadn't had the opportunity to drink when in fact it was later revealed he had.
Also our ER explained to me that alcoholics tend to 'look' more drunk when their blood alcohol is decreasing rather than increasing - they explained the physiological mechanism for this but I cant remember what it is! Eg BAC 0.25 on the way up doesn't look as drunk as 0.25 on the way down...the behaviour as their BAC is decreasing is more characteristic of what we'd associated with drunkenness.
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He either: Was drinking as the other posters noted, and you did not see it. I appreciate that you were with him for most of the time. You weren't with him in the bathroom, you probably weren't with him when he was getting dressed. He may be open about his drinking - keep in mind that no one "starts" drinking by hiding their alcohol. Could have been a one time thing, maybe his benders have started getting more painful and he has hidden a bottle for them.
Or, he might be taking medication you are unaware of that did not mix well with the leftover booze. Benzo's would do that for sure. I have known of a person who took Tylenol Pm after a bender and would appear drunk.
Or, he has a medical condition as another poster stated. Perhaps your father is pre-diabetic or diabetic and not diagnosed. Low blood sugars do appear as if the person is drunk - shaky, confused, staggered gait. However, if this were the case and he ate some carbohydrates the sugar should come back up.
Back in the day I have certainly woken up feeling drunk before. Not quite the same as being full fledged, but definitely wouldn't have passed a breathalyzer. Doesn't last much longer than a shower and greasy meal and I don't think that is the situation here.
Remember, if it walks like a duck its a duck. More than likely your father is drinking on the sly as much as you don't want to believe it, or believe that your presence precluded it, my bets go there. Alcoholism is progressive in everyone.
Perhaps it would be worth discussing with your mom and she may be able to suggest your dad get a physical. Dunno what the dynamics are there and if he would be amenable. I don't usually suggest trying to intervene with an alcoholic and their drink, however; its is possible he has some underlying issues that could be serious. Diabetes is the silent killer and many times people have no idea they have it in the beginning - it would be worth checking out. Alcoholism does affect the pancreas equally as much as the liver. If he doesn't want to then let it go. You can only lead a horse to water.......
Good luck to you and sorry you are dealing with this.
Or, he might be taking medication you are unaware of that did not mix well with the leftover booze. Benzo's would do that for sure. I have known of a person who took Tylenol Pm after a bender and would appear drunk.
Or, he has a medical condition as another poster stated. Perhaps your father is pre-diabetic or diabetic and not diagnosed. Low blood sugars do appear as if the person is drunk - shaky, confused, staggered gait. However, if this were the case and he ate some carbohydrates the sugar should come back up.
Back in the day I have certainly woken up feeling drunk before. Not quite the same as being full fledged, but definitely wouldn't have passed a breathalyzer. Doesn't last much longer than a shower and greasy meal and I don't think that is the situation here.
Remember, if it walks like a duck its a duck. More than likely your father is drinking on the sly as much as you don't want to believe it, or believe that your presence precluded it, my bets go there. Alcoholism is progressive in everyone.
Perhaps it would be worth discussing with your mom and she may be able to suggest your dad get a physical. Dunno what the dynamics are there and if he would be amenable. I don't usually suggest trying to intervene with an alcoholic and their drink, however; its is possible he has some underlying issues that could be serious. Diabetes is the silent killer and many times people have no idea they have it in the beginning - it would be worth checking out. Alcoholism does affect the pancreas equally as much as the liver. If he doesn't want to then let it go. You can only lead a horse to water.......
Good luck to you and sorry you are dealing with this.
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Join Date: May 2012
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Originally Posted by jarp 
Also our ER explained to me that alcoholics tend to 'look' more drunk when their blood alcohol is decreasing rather than increasing - they explained the physiological mechanism for this but I cant remember what it is! Eg BAC 0.25 on the way up doesn't look as drunk as 0.25 on the way down...the behaviour as their BAC is decreasing is more characteristic of what we'd associated with drunkenness.
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Fastone......in medicine, there is a saying: "When you hear hoofbeats, look for horses not zebras".
LOL! I suspect that that will suffice for here, also.....
In the meantime, I think that the smartest thing you can do is to begin educating yourself about this disease (there is a LOT to learn...lol),
This forum has the best collection of materials for a crash course in alcoholism that y ou will find most anywhere.....
(The stickies at the top of the main page.....especially the "classic readings")
Please take advantage....The truth shall set you free,
dandylion
LOL! I suspect that that will suffice for here, also.....
In the meantime, I think that the smartest thing you can do is to begin educating yourself about this disease (there is a LOT to learn...lol),
This forum has the best collection of materials for a crash course in alcoholism that y ou will find most anywhere.....
(The stickies at the top of the main page.....especially the "classic readings")
Please take advantage....The truth shall set you free,
dandylion
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 13
Fastone . . . 11 years ago I found empty bottles my wife had hidden. Over the next decade I never saw her drink more than a couple of glasses of wine, perhaps three on a big night. And I never found a hidden store of booze. But she often appeared blackout drunk when i could have sworn she hadn't touched a drop. We dealt with therapists, neurologists, and other specialists looking for an exotic problem.
Two months after we separated, she went straight from the office for dinner with a colleague. He swears she had only 1.5 glasses of wine over a two-hour period, and they had worked together all day during which time she didn't drink. At the end of dinner she drove home, but never made it; two hit and runs within two blocks of the restaurant and a BAC of 0.34.
What I want to say is that friends and relatives can easily spend all day with an alcoholic and be convinced they haven't been drinking. Last year, in a thread about my wife, one of the experienced posters here said "Don't believe a word you hear and half of what you see." Very wise words. In my case, I came to SR and heard that advice too late. You may not be able to do much to help your father, but those words can help your mother look after herself.
Two months after we separated, she went straight from the office for dinner with a colleague. He swears she had only 1.5 glasses of wine over a two-hour period, and they had worked together all day during which time she didn't drink. At the end of dinner she drove home, but never made it; two hit and runs within two blocks of the restaurant and a BAC of 0.34.
What I want to say is that friends and relatives can easily spend all day with an alcoholic and be convinced they haven't been drinking. Last year, in a thread about my wife, one of the experienced posters here said "Don't believe a word you hear and half of what you see." Very wise words. In my case, I came to SR and heard that advice too late. You may not be able to do much to help your father, but those words can help your mother look after herself.
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