Why are sober alcoholics always MAD, angry, and negative?

Question

My father was, and my daughter is now too. Do they have this in common or is it like when your on a diet? Do they ever lighten up?

Answer 1

Well you said it yourself, 'Sober' alcoholic. There's something wrong to begin with if you consume alcohol, and nothing happens....kind of like a Functioning Alcoholic who drinks to remain fairly normal in composure.

Answer 2

Do you mean alcoholics who have stopped drinking completely and are now sober, or practicing alcoholics who haven't had a drink today?

If you mean people who stopped drinking and are in recovery: many people who abuse alcohol started drinking in the first place to deal with feelings of anger and negativity, and were self-medicating. Now that they're not drinking any more, their primary means of addressing those feelings is gone, and if they haven't learned to cope in a different way, it's going to come out. I know many recovered alcoholics who are very mellow and easygoing. Even though recovery is stressful, I think a big part of it has to do with how you were before you drank all the time.

If you're talking about people who are still actively drinking and get nasty when they are sober, well, my sister is one of those. At a certain point when you're addicted, being sober feels horrible, and you need a drink or six just to feel like a normal human being. I hate to say it, but she's more pleasant to be around when she's been drinking.

I'm sorry you have to go through that.

Answer 3

Sober alcoholics were mad, defensive or scared people before they became alcoholics. That's generally why they started drinking in the first place. Quitting drinking is just one thing they need to do to get better. They need to work through the issues that they were running from in the first place. Also, lots more had to have piled up while they were in the bottle. It took them a long time to get to be the way they are, they can't fix it overnight. But laying down the bottle is a definate sign that they are willing to work through it all.

Answer 4

Well, as one of the people you speak of, I can say that they are angry because recovery is a full time job that they didn't ask for...

It is not your fault and yes, they do lighten up eventually...

It's just a long hard road to get to that happy place.
They are doing you a favor... being a better person for the people around them instead of mindless self indulgence which they are used to...

I had really big expectations for my life... and when I stopped using drugs, I had to come to terms with the fact that my dreams needed to take a back seat to reality.
That's just not easy for a person who has been allowed to be selfish for 20 years...

There is a happiness underneath it all... their new obsession is making sure that they do everything the RIGHT way so that they can hang on to their better life...
In time, they ease up and sometimes even... laugh...

but lets not get ahead of ourselves....

Answer 5

Could be in the family genes. I'm a recovering drunk,10yrs. and I've never felt better. The friends I've made in AA are the same. Now, there are what are called dry drunks. These people tend to be grouches and are pessimistic. .They are that way drunk or sober. You should understand most alcoholics suffer from depression. That's why many became drunks.Maybe your daughter should see a doctor

Answer 6

II was married to a alcoholic for 25 years divorced and married twice. I gave him the benefit of the doubt but you know I don't believe in the benefit of doubt anymore. The fact is if they truly quit it's over and part of sobriety is making amends to those they hurt. Are they still hurting you? Go to alanon get the facts if you don't have them yet. I can say only so much in this little space. You need to stop being a victim to either one of these two family members. Your life is not for them to beat up on because they make themselves miserable.They should be grateful that your still there to love them. Alcoholics can be mean, cruel, abusive, and selfish to the ones who love them most. They could care less about other peoples feelings. They are like the living dead using people to feel alive. Do you want to suffer? If not take care of yourself. love but in a smart way don't let them rob you of your life's happiness. Go on with your way of life and do only for your self do not be an enabler. This is the worst thing to do. Recovery takes time and time is life live your life like you have one cause they will make you think you owe them when you don't. It's not your fault they choose to be alcoholic. I have been a widow for over ten years. My husband drank himself to death. He left me in this world with four kids all though I beg him to stop.

Answer 7

human beings seem to ignore alcohol is in simple terms a stimulant if the guy eating that's thrilled with life. as an occasion: Joe Blogs has in simple terms lost his uncle to maximum cancers and he's down. He can no longer cope so he beverages 3 beers. without notice he starts off to experience no longer in simple terms unhappy, yet indignant besides. on the different hand: Lucy Blogs has in simple terms exceeded all her checks, so she makes a decision to have a acquaintances and relatives occasion she gets by using an entire bottle of wine, and he or she feels on suited of the worldwide! See the version interior the circumstances. that is been recommended that individuals in simple terms drink whilst they are thrilled with their life, except that's a sip of wine or 0.5 a lager. i'm hoping all of us form of knows. I totally settle for that all of us has different evaluations. additionally an alcoholic is different additionally they place self assurance in drink to pass on, so in the event that they at the instant are not getting their required volume they pass from chuffed to indignant. Its the comparable with smoking and medicines, and playing is additionally seen in simple terms approximately the comparable, even nevertheless that brings on greater of a low self-worth and self assurance issues. whilst an addicted gambler chases their losses. wish this permits!

Answer 8

You would be mad too if you had to give up the one thing that gave you the illusion of happiness.

This reality is too much for some people to deal with.

Answer 9

Sure they'll lighten up... When they drink. Now I normally wouldn't advise this, but slip a little vodka in their drink every now and again. If they don't know they are drinking, they won't know to drink more. This also will keep you sane. It's a win-win situation.

Answer 10

Because they are fighting their addiction every single day, and that is tough. My brother has his good days and bad days, but we make sure he knows we are proud of him and recognize that he is struggling to stay sober. Best of luck to your family, I hope it continues to get better.