Does menopause affect alcoholism?

[Mautumn85]

So relieved to find this forum. I've been searching the internet for many months in search of information to help me with my situation. Many of the posts have similarity to my situation. I am seeking feedback on my wife's progressive addiction to alcohol. We've been married for 29 years. My wife comes from a family of alcoholics. She used to be satisfied with one glass of wine with dinner and with little affect on her demeanor. Over the past few years she's been increasing the amount of wine that she drinks and depending on how much she drinks and how fast she drinks it, her personality/behavior can be dramatically affected. She is a nasty "drunk". I called her on her increasing drinking and on her behavior and she started to hide her drinking. She's become bitter recently and it's creating tension between us. I have urged her to seek help which she agrees to do, but only goes to one therapy session and then finds excuses to quit the therapy. At times, usually the morning after a drinking episode, she feels guilty and acknowledges that she has a problem. Unfortunately her memory fades very quickly about the acknowledgement and she seldom follows through with any palpable efforts to get help. Now, my kids are calling her out on the addiction. This has gotten her attention but now she gets depressed when she can't get her fix and lets us know how miserable she is. She is not approachable and uses "silent treatment" as a form of punishment to those who challenge her. I've been enabling her for too long and recognize that I need to step up. I'm planning on attending my first Al-Anon meeting this week. Any other advice is welcome. Thanks!

[dominosarah]

Allergy to alcohol??  Can you explain?

[dominosarah]

I am so glad you are going to an Alanon meeting.  It is time for you to take back your life and start living again.  It is no fun living with an alcoholic.  Hopefully your wife will choose to get sober but until then take care of you.   Let us know how things are going.  As for the menopause??  Nope.  

[ibizan]

Alcoholism sounds like it came before menopause!I've never seen any credible research linking the two!SO GLAD you're attending Al-Anon-if your wife chooses not to take responsibility for her disease and resulting behavior perhaps you could find yourself a good counselor to help you examine your choices and stop living the misery you describe!