Arielle Cruz
When writing about an alcoholic character, it's important to understand the characteristics of alcoholism and how it might influence their behaviour and interactions. Alcoholism, also known as alcohol use disorder, is characterised by a strong, often uncontrollable, desire to consume alcohol. This can lead to financial instability due to the expense of frequent purchases, and alcoholics may prioritise drinking over other activities and obligations, causing harm to their relationships and health. When writing about an alcoholic character, consider how their personality traits and behaviour might change under the influence of alcohol, such as repeating themselves, raising their voice, or sharing opinions they normally wouldn't. Additionally, depicting realistic consequences like hangovers can add authenticity to your story. Remember, even when drunk, characters should still behave as unique individuals, and you can experiment with writing short stories featuring your character getting drunk in different settings to find what feels right for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Personality traits | Changes in behaviour, such as becoming more talkative, louder, or revealing secrets |
| Financial situation | Financial instability and money problems due to alcohol purchases |
| Relationships | Damage to relationships with family, friends, and colleagues |
| Cravings | Strong, uncontrollable desire to drink |
| Health | Physical issues like alcohol withdrawal symptoms and health problems like liver disease or depression |
| Priorities | Giving priority to drinking over other activities, work, or family life |
| Quantity | Need to drink more to achieve the same effect |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-induced personality changes
Alcohol can induce a variety of personality changes, and its effects on individuals are often unpredictable. While alcohol may not fundamentally alter one's personality, it can cause people to perceive themselves and others differently. It influences thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and the specific changes depend on individual personality traits.
When writing about an alcoholic character, it is important to remember that even when drunk, they should still behave as individuals. Alcohol can amplify existing personality traits, such as aggression, impulsivity, dishonesty, or hostility. It can also impair judgment, cloud thoughts, and lead to communication problems, misunderstandings, and misreading situations. Additionally, alcohol can increase irritability, induce anxiety, and trigger psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
The amount of alcohol consumed also plays a role in personality changes. As consumption increases, the level of harm increases, and the likelihood of personality shifts and impaired judgment rises. Binge drinking, defined as consuming enough alcohol to reach a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, can significantly impact behavior and cognition.
To effectively portray alcohol-induced personality changes in a story, consider the unique traits of your character. Write short scenes featuring them drinking in different settings to explore how their personality might shift. Remember to include hangovers, as they are a predictable consequence of drinking and can impact a character's behavior and mood the following day.
Additionally, dialogue can be a powerful tool to showcase personality changes. Drunk characters may repeat themselves, raise their voices, or share opinions they would usually keep to themselves. Their speech may become slurred, and they may have difficulty expressing their thoughts clearly, leading to further misunderstandings or revealing internal thoughts and secrets.
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Prioritising drinking over other activities
When writing about an alcoholic character, it's important to remember that alcohol causes people to behave in unpredictable ways. Even when drunk, your character should still behave like an individual. A good way to explore this is to write out a few short stories featuring your character getting drunk in different settings to see what feels right for them.
A character with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) will crave their next drink and plan their life around it. They may give up important social, work, or recreational activities in favour of drinking. This could be a conscious decision, or they may simply be unable to stop drinking despite the damage it does to their relationships and their life. They may repeatedly fail to meet work or family obligations, or give up activities they once found important, interesting, or pleasurable.
For example, your character might bail on a friend's birthday party, or an important work meeting, because they're hungover or because the event is in a place that doesn't serve alcohol. They might choose to spend their money on alcohol instead of on hobbies or social activities, or they might skip a family dinner because they're drunk and ashamed of their behaviour. They might also choose to drink alone instead of spending time with their family or friends.
Your character might also prioritise drinking over other activities by drinking in physically hazardous situations, such as drinking and then operating machinery or walking through a dangerous area. They might drink and drive, or swim, or engage in unsafe sexual behaviour. They might also drink despite having a medical condition or mental disorder that is exacerbated by alcohol.
As well as prioritising drinking in the moment, your character might also prioritise drinking in the future by saving money for alcohol instead of for a holiday or a new car, or by choosing to work a job that doesn't interfere with their drinking habits.
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Financial instability
Alcohol abuse can have a profound impact on an individual's financial stability, leading to debt, poor spending habits, and decreased productivity. The financial instability caused by alcoholism can be a vicious cycle, as the stress of financial difficulties may further drive a person towards excessive drinking.
The cost of alcohol itself can be a significant financial burden, especially for those who frequent bars, where prices are often inflated. For alcoholics, the financial strain may be compounded by the need to conceal their addiction, leading to even more expensive drinking habits. Binge drinking, in particular, can wreak havoc on one's finances, with the cost of alcohol adding up quickly.
Alcohol abuse also affects job performance, with increased absenteeism and "presenteeism" (showing up to work sick). Over time, this can negatively impact an alcoholic's career and finances. Poor work performance may lead to demotion, loss of job opportunities, or even unemployment, further exacerbating financial instability.
The connection between alcohol abuse and mental health can also contribute to financial difficulties. Alcoholism can lead to or worsen mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, which in turn can impair an individual's ability to manage their finances effectively. The stress and anxiety associated with financial problems can then further fuel alcohol abuse, creating a cycle of financial instability and worsening mental health.
Additionally, the health consequences of long-term alcohol abuse can result in higher medical expenses. Alcoholic individuals may face increased medical bills due to a higher risk of illnesses such as pneumonia, cardiovascular diseases, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and certain cancers. The need for frequent medical attention and higher health insurance premiums can further strain their finances.
In conclusion, alcohol abuse and financial instability are deeply intertwined. The financial strain of alcoholism can be immediate, due to the cost of alcohol, but it can also have long-term effects on career prospects, mental health, and physical health, leading to a cycle of financial difficulties and increased alcohol dependence.
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Unpredictable behaviour
When writing about an alcoholic character, it is important to remember that alcohol affects everyone differently and that your character should still behave like an individual. That being said, there are some common effects of alcohol that you can use to craft unpredictable behaviour for your character.
Firstly, alcohol can lower inhibitions, leading to your character saying or doing things they normally wouldn't. This could include repeating themselves, raising their voice, or sharing opinions or secrets they normally wouldn't. You could also have fun with the dialogue by writing out the slurred words as they might sound coming from a drunk person.
Secondly, alcohol can affect a person's mood and behaviour, causing unpredictable mood swings. Your character might be happy and carefree one moment, and then suddenly angry or sad for seemingly no reason. They might also exhibit erratic behaviour, such as making impulsive decisions or acting on cravings without considering the consequences.
Additionally, you can create unpredictability by having your character's drinking affect their relationships. They might push away loved ones or make decisions that harm those around them. This could create tension and conflict in your story, as your character struggles to repair damaged relationships or deals with the fallout of their actions.
To make your character's behaviour truly unpredictable, try to avoid clichés and predictable plot points. Brainstorm a list of possible reactions or actions your character could take in a given scene, then cross off the first few as they are likely too obvious. Choose an option that is mildly realistic but also intriguing and surprising to the reader. Remember, your character's behaviour should still align with their unique personality traits and motivations, even when they are under the influence.
Finally, don't forget the hangover! Showing the consequences of your character's drinking can add authenticity to your story. Hangover symptoms typically begin when a drinker's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) plateaus and starts to drop. Include details such as a throbbing headache, nausea, fatigue, and sensitivity to light and sound. The severity of the hangover can also depend on factors such as the amount consumed, the person's gender, and their body's ability to metabolise alcohol.
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Hangovers and withdrawal symptoms
When writing about an alcoholic character, it is important to portray their hangovers and withdrawal symptoms accurately. Here are some detailed descriptions to consider:
Hangovers
Hangovers are a common and predictable consequence of heavy drinking. They typically begin when a drinker's Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) plateaus and starts to drop. While hangovers are unpleasant, they are usually not medically concerning and can be managed at home. Symptoms of a hangover include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headache
- Increased sensitivity to light and sound
- Redness of the eyes
- Muscle aches
- Thirst
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Cognitive and mood disturbances, including depression, anxiety, and irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tremors
- Sweating
- Agitation
- Sensory disturbances
Hangover symptoms can be managed by rehydrating with water and electrolyte solutions and taking over-the-counter medications for pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms occur when an individual who has engaged in heavy drinking suddenly stops or significantly reduces their alcohol consumption. Withdrawal indicates a physical dependence on alcohol and can be a sign of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and may include:
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Extreme dehydration
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Potential for heart attack and stroke
- Delirium tremens, which can lead to death if not treated promptly
Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous and even life-threatening, so it is important to seek medical help if you or someone you know is experiencing them. Treatment options for alcohol withdrawal include medication and behavioural therapy.
Portraying Hangovers and Withdrawal in Your Story
When writing about your alcoholic character, consider the progression from hangovers to withdrawal symptoms as the character's drinking pattern intensifies. You can show the character's decline in health and the negative consequences of their alcohol dependence. Remember that even drunk, your character should still behave as an individual, so tailor their dialogue and actions to their unique personality.
- Describe the physical and mental symptoms your character is experiencing, such as nausea, headaches, and anxiety.
- Show the character's decline in personal hygiene, appearance, and overall health.
- Illustrate the character's struggle to perform daily tasks due to impaired cognitive function and physical ailments.
- Portray the character's relationships and how their drinking is affecting their loved ones.
- Depict the character's internal thought processes and struggles, especially if they are aware of their alcohol problem but are unable to stop.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some ways to describe a character with an alcohol use disorder in a story:
- They may prioritise drinking over other activities or obligations, such as work or family life.
- They may continue drinking despite the negative impact on their relationships or health.
- They may crave alcohol and experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop drinking.
- They may spend more money than they can afford on alcohol, leading to financial instability.
Alcohol can cause people to behave in unpredictable ways, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing dialogue for a drunk character. However, some common effects of alcohol include repetition, raised voices, and sharing opinions or secrets they would typically keep to themselves. You could also try writing out the words as they would sound slurred by a drunk person, as long as the misspellings are still recognisable.
Hangovers are a common consequence of drinking, so including one in your story can add authenticity. If your character wakes up feeling fine after a night of heavy drinking, it might not ring true for your readers. Remember to consider the symptoms of a hangover and when they begin appearing to make the scene feel realistic.
