Does alcohol make things worse?

[BenHawk]

Does anyone drink?
And, do you notice that it makes your ED better or worse or doesn't affect it at all?

[Warped_Reflections]

You were the one that posted asking for advice about your girlfriend who had an eating disorder, right?

Is she drinking?

I dont really drink but I cant see how drinking could make an eating disorder better plus then you are just either adding another problem or trading in an eating disorder problem for a drinking problem.

[BenHawk]

Yep. That's me.
Well, she "says" that drinking helps her eat without worrying about it.
I don't believe that at all.
But, I didn't accuse her or challenge her about it.
She drinks 3 or 4 glasses of wine per night, and always seems to be "somewhere else".
It's very very obvious to me that she's eating A LOT of food in the other room or in the bedroom.
I'm thinking that the alcohol might impair her judgment to make her think that I have no idea. I'm not snooping or prying. It's just very obvious.
And, that's where I wonder if she's looking for attention or wants me to notice.
I don't know. It's a fine line...

So, she did bring me to her therapist, and I was able to voice my concern about the drinking. Her therapist said it's very common for someone with ED to drink or move to another vice, if you will. But, drinking is very, very common.

My girlfriend did tell me that she wants to stop drinking on the weekdays for now. But, that lasted a day. And, I didn't challenge her on it. I feel like there's a point where I have to say something. You know? And, here comes the fine line again...

At some point, I feel like I'm enabling if I don't try something. I don't really know what to say though. On a couple occasions, I've tried to voice my concern about the alcohol. And, while doing so, I never once said it was because of ED!

She just seems to be in another world. And, I've gone through a couple relationships in the past where alcohol played a huge role in the relationship's demise. Alcohol can be a nasty thing. I suggested starting with only drinking once or twice during the week. And, then she can go from there.

I know that alcohol is a depressant. And, even if she binges at night and doesn't worry about it, I'm thinking that she feels guilty in the morning.
She leaves food everywhere!
And, I guess I'm back to that point of "What can I say?"
I know there's nothing that will magically make it better. But, how can I be supportive without sounding too bossy or worried.
I know that she said it kills her that people worry about her constantly! Well, she thinks that people are CONSTANTLY worrying. And, therein lies the battle...
But, I don't want to be too overbearing. You know?
And, her saying she doesn't want people to worry about her seems like a defense mechanism to me. I'm no stranger to addiction. i feel like she's trying to guilt me into...I don't know what exactly...

I just need some guidance here again. Her therapist did tell me to call her or e-mail her whenever if I had any questions. I definitely don't plan on tattling. But, I was thinking of calling her just to see if she had any suggestions...You know, because she knows my girlfriend better than anyone, it seems...

[Warped_Reflections]

well when it comes to you talking her therapist, you know that the therapist wont tell you much cause of the privacy of therapy sessions. Unless your girlfriend is treatening to kill herself or hurt others, the therapist is not suppose to reveal what they talk about.

[BenHawk]

I don't want the therapist to tell me anything other than advice on anything I can say...If anything...
Again, I don't want to say too much...But, I don't want to over think that and say too little...
And, I know that she's the one my girlfriend confides in the most. I'm hoping that she would accept the information and address it if she feels necessary. And, I'd hope that if I'm saying too much, she'd tell me too...

[ownthesky]

I never found that drinking really had an effect on my ED because usually if I'm drinking it's a social situation and I don't do that in those situations. I do obsess over caloric content of what it is I'm drinking though, like light beer and vodka tonics. I will however say that when I smoke pot I feel more comfortable eating and keeping it down.