Medical reason for drinking
 

AH says reason for drinking so much has to do with low serotonin levels. He drinks to get that adrenaline rush to get his levels up but then the drinking (because he consumes so much at one time) drops those levels. He then continues to drink and becomes aggressive to try to bring that level back up again. Sorry if confusing, its kind of confusing to me too. LOL
Doctor has told him this so now he really thinks he doesn't have an alcohol problem per se, its a serotonin problem.
Says this serotonin problem is the reason why he just doesn't care. Doesn't care that we are separated, doesn't care about his job or responsibilities. Doesn't care if he lives or dies. Doesn't care that I don't like his drinking. Doesn't care about anything.
The dr said this is why he drinks. Now, I wasn't there to hear this come out of the doctors mouth. This is what he is telling me. Just curious to know if anyone else has ever been told this? I can kinda see it but then again, I can kinda see it as an excuse.
He isn't trying to win be back by any means, but still likes to keep tabs on me and my activities. But, if you didn't care because of a medical issue, then you just wouldn't care right? I'm confusing myself with this. LOL Sorry guys. Just looking for thoughts before my brain turns to mush. LOL

I think there is evidence out there that people with addictions do feel less pleasure from things and this is part of what drives their addictions. https://www.npr.org/2011/06/23/13734...s-feel-so-good

I do not in any way, shape, or form believe that his doctor thinks it is okay to drink. His addiction could certainly interpret it that way.

I don't know of any doctor that would condone drinking to fix a medical problem. I cant see the doctor saying take 1 alcoholic drink in the morning and evening and that should fix it. If not then we will readjust your dose. I'm not buying it. Alcoholics will do anything to keep you on the hook. They need your support to survive. Without it, they have no where to turn but themselves and that's the last place they want to look. We are here for you Healingbefins. Don't worry about your brain. It seems to be focused on what it needs to do for yourself. Just enjoy the day and do something to bring joy to your heart.

If your AH actually cared about his serotonin levels he'd take antidepressants, not drink like a fish.

Quack quack quack....

you seriously aren't buying one word of this crap........are you?
that he has a serotonin problem not a drinking problem????
and that a board certified doctor told him this?

A pile of poo!

Heartfelt human interactions and exercise would also have a positive impact on serotonin and mood.
What the doctor possibly said was that he has low serotonin and alcohol temporarily gives it a boost.
It's all an avoidance tactic.
My AH told me he sits up late on the weekend because I'm going to bed so early - basically because Im no fun.
At the end of the day, they can say whatever they want. In real life, its hurting you and that's incredibly hard. X

Another example of an alcoholic hearing what they want to hear!

The alcohol would boost serotonin levels short term, decrease them long term. If he’s worried about his serotonin levels, he could also quit substances that are depressants and that decrease his serotonin levels long term (alcohol), get aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day, get at least 15 minutes of sunshine a day, eat foods that are rich in typtophan and probiotics, get adequate sleep..


I’d be curious to hear what the doctor said exactly, and not through his filter. I had someone once tell me, a long time smoker, that there was some medical condition that she had, and she said her doctor told her thank god she smokes. I forget what it was now, and how the smoking was supposed to help, but as a reformed smoker myself, and knowing what it’s like to be addicted and not wanting to (initially) deal with it, even I knew that was bull***t, and that a doctor would never say that. Twisted logic to protect the addictive behaviors, no doubt. :/

Your brain feels mushy because it's all BS/nonsense. The mind doesn't like nonsense.

This is made up stuff. While serotonin might play in to this, that has exactly ZERO to do with his alcoholism.

Alcohol is not a medication, although how often do you hear an alcoholic say they are treating depression or anxiety or whatever with alcohol?

It just doesn't work like that.

double post

SmallbutMighty, quack quack quack....lol that's kinda what I thought when I first heard it...like who is this doctor and what am I paying for?
I did tell him there are many ways to boost your mood without alcohol so it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I get bummed too but alcohol isn't my go to.
I was going to call the Dr myself but then thought, meh, whats the point? I cant help him even if . I don't even know. Ironwill you are right, why am I worrying about this and not doing something I enjoy today...getting caught back up in it. I do have to work tonight so I will try to stay focused lol

Medical reason for drinking? Well, yes, it's called alcoholism.

Healing, that's an award winning quacker there.....

:duck:duck:duck:duck:duck…….

Aren't you currently separated from your AH or do I have you confused with someone else? In any case, your AH is spewing BS. Just more lies.

Wow. I did a lot of lying and made loads of excuses when drinking but this leaves me gaping.

Alcohol doesn't solve medical problems. Whatever might need to be done to his "serotonin levels" or anything else, alcohol makes it worse.

Thats not authentic. Seriously.

Maybe in some twisted way, depression is why he drinks - in that he self-medicates with alcohol to avoid uncomfortable emotions, rather than using healthier coping skills. But I really doubt his doctor meant that it is fine and a medically approved good idea for him to keep drinking.

Also, “serotonin levels” is not a medical condition.

Well, I just had to scratch this itch...

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-2/114.pdf

Funny enough, it didn't recommend drinking more alcohol to address the issue.

^ The article didn’t get into it, but reminded me that where we get serotonin is important too. The majority of it is actually manufactured in the gut (“the second brain”), which is another thing chronic alcohol consumption destroys. Anyone familiar with chronic inflammation and leaky gut syndrome; good/ bad bacterial imbalances-alcohol dependence exacerbates all of that. :/

^^^^ this

First of all, seratonin is a neurotransmitter and adrenaline is a substance made in your adrenal glands to respond to fight/flight. They both influence your thinking, but are two totally different things.

Second...QUACK QUACK QUACK QUAAAAAAKKKKK!!!

Lol.

Okay so just to offer a parallel... my exAH said that he was "self-medicating" with spice and meth to treat his PTSD. And also staying awake for 2 days and crashing for a week was part of his "normal biological clock".

Do you see how ridiculous they sound? Quack quack quack.

AH tells me his exercise regime means he can process alcohol faster...oh and guess what...his doctor told him that. His enlarged heart? Due to his exercise and being super - fit.

Wombaticus.

You didn't tell me you were a comedian. That is too funny if he believes that.

Mine xah used to tell me the doctor told him to drink as much as he wanted because it was working as a blood thinner.

Oh my gosh!!!! LOL Thanks for all the info. Yes, I do believe alcohol is the CAUSE of serotonin problem. Don't think I fell for it. Like I said, I didn't hear the actual dr say it. But just shows that he will protect the drinking instead of just doing what he needs to do and quit.
And yes, I too have heard the alcohol, blood thinner business, even while he is taking blood thinners. It is just so amazing to me. At what point does he say enough is enough? We are separated, he just doesn't get it. The past couple days I have heard quite a few excuses of why he is the way he is lately, but all in all it boils down the the drinking. Its affecting his body, mind, life. Sad is all I can say.:headbange

Thanks for all the contributors in this thread, I know is dark humour but wow, did I laugh out loud at some of the quacks mentioned in here.

I am feeling rather like I was a rubbish alkie, I never was able to come up with gems like these.

Quack quack quack.

So, I would bet that if I were a fly on the wall, the doctor explained to your A that he was self-medicating for one of several possible issues, including depression, and not that this was a REASON to continue drinking, but a reason to begin NOT drinking and consider managing his depression in a more functional and scientific way. What he is describing, re: not caring, is anhedonia, a condition that many addicts face as a result of their addiction, and even in the early days of sobriety (up to a year) which is an extended period of low-level depression where nothing is exciting and nothing feels good.

The only cure for any of this is for the alcoholic to stop drinking.

See my signature below? If he's talking and you're confused? He's probably lying.

[My XAH is in his fifth inpatient rehab right now, and if you ask him, this is either his second or third that he's been to as a sober man. If it doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense for a reason is all I'm saying.]

Alcohol is a depressant, no getting around it.