Mason Delacroix
Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, is a disease that can lead to significant harm to a person's health, relationships, and work performance. One of the most challenging aspects of this disorder is the aggressive and unpredictable behaviour that can arise during binge drinking episodes, often referred to as raging alcoholic or angry drunk behaviour. This behaviour can be extremely distressing for both the alcoholic and those around them, and it is important to know how to handle these situations when they arise. While the alcoholic may not remember or understand their actions the next day, the impact on others can be significant, and support is available for all involved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to deal with the alcoholic | Avoid engaging with them while they are intoxicated. They will not be in their right mind, and you are unlikely to get a rational response. |
| Remove yourself from the situation. Engage with your loved one when they are sober. Voice your concerns about their anger and aggression when drunk, remaining objective and keeping emotion out of the equation. | |
| Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline if you are concerned about your immediate safety. | |
| How to deal with the after-effects | Build good emotional habits. |
| Seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen. | |
| Therapy can help to build good habits that were not learned while living with an alcoholic parent. | |
| SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. | |
| Treatment | Alcohol treatment centers can help a raging alcoholic detoxify from alcohol while using therapy and pharmaceutical therapy to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings. |
| Intervention specialists can help formulate a plan to help your loved one reduce their back-to-back drinking. | |
| Approach them in a compassionate, non-judgmental tone of voice, and avoid words that may insinuate that they are at fault. | |
| Lifestyle modifications can aid in managing alcoholic rage syndrome, including regular physical activity, relaxation techniques, healthy sleeping patterns, identifying triggers, and seeking professional help. |
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What You'll Learn
- Seek support: Contact helplines, therapy, support groups, and youth groups
- Lifestyle changes: Exercise, sleep, and
- Avoid triggers: Stay away from the alcoholic while they're intoxicated
- Detoxification: Treatment centres and therapy can help manage withdrawal
- Address the problem: Discuss concerns with the alcoholic when sober
Seek support: Contact helplines, therapy, support groups, and youth groups
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol abuse, there are numerous support systems available to help you cope and recover.
Helplines
If you are concerned about your immediate safety, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. Violence can occur in all types of relationships, and you should not suffer in silence. Alcoholism is a disease and is treatable.
Other helplines include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Helpline at 800-662-HELP (4357).
Therapy
Behavioral treatments involve working with a healthcare provider to identify and address the behaviors that lead to alcohol abuse. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be done one-on-one or in small groups. CBT focuses on identifying the feelings and situations that contribute to heavy drinking and managing stress that can lead to a relapse. The goal is to change the thought processes that lead to alcohol abuse and develop strategies to cope with triggers.
Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a well-known support group with a simple program that works. AA is based on the idea of one alcoholic helping another. AA has helped millions of alcoholics stop drinking, and recovery is supported by sharing experiences with others. AA groups are a great way to get involved and ensure that help is available when needed. AA also offers support for friends and family members of alcoholics.
Youth Groups
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides a variety of e-health tools to help people cut down or quit drinking. These include mobile tools like A-CHESS, which is designed to prevent a return to drinking, and self-guided web-based programs like CBT4CBT, which teaches skills to reduce drinking. CheckUp & Choices is another digital self-help program that guides individuals in deciding whether to change their drinking habits and developing the necessary skills.
Remember, seeking professional help is crucial to overcoming alcohol problems. Setbacks are common, and regular check-ins with a treatment provider can help prevent a return to drinking.
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Lifestyle changes: Exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques
While dealing with a raging alcoholic, it is important to focus on your own well-being and safety. One way to do this is by adopting healthy lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, improving sleep quality, and incorporating relaxation techniques.
Exercise
Exercise is a highly recommended lifestyle change activity that can be a positive alternative to alcohol. It can provide a "high" or a sense of pleasure, similar to what alcohol may offer. For instance, heavy drinkers in a study by Murphy and colleagues (1986) experienced a "high" associated with exercise. Thus, exercise can be a positively reinforcing alternative to drinking. Additionally, exercise can be a useful relapse prevention strategy and play an important role in the treatment of addictive disorders.
Sleep
Alcohol negatively impacts sleep quality. It is recommended to avoid consuming alcohol at least 3 hours before bedtime. Drinking alcohol before sleep can lead to frequent wakings and low-quality sleep. This is because alcohol alters the typical sleep cycle, resulting in more deep sleep (N3) and less REM sleep. Later in the night, once the body has metabolized the alcohol, there is a rise in N1 sleep, the lightest stage of sleep, leading to fragmented sleep. For people with snoring issues or sleep apnea, alcohol tends to aggravate these symptoms.
Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, are important tools to cope with alcoholism. These techniques can help individuals handle stress and immediate temptations to drink. Relaxation/meditation training teaches individuals to think of the positive and negative consequences of drinking, use mastery messages, and engage in alternative behaviors to drinking.
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Avoid triggers: Stay away from the alcoholic while they're intoxicated
When dealing with a raging alcoholic, it is important to remember that alcohol impairs judgement, decision-making abilities, and problem-solving skills. It reduces inhibitions and the ability to control impulses, making it difficult to resist acting on angry urges. As such, it is best to avoid engaging with an alcoholic while they are intoxicated. Here are some ways to do this:
Firstly, if you are concerned about your immediate safety or the safety of those around you, it is imperative to remove yourself and others from the situation by seeking a safe space away from the intoxicated individual. Violence can occur in various types of relationships, and it is important to prioritize your well-being. There are hotlines you can call, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, to seek help and support in these dangerous situations.
If you are a minor living with an alcoholic parent, it is crucial to recognize that you are not alone and that it is not your fault. Seek emotional support from trusted adults, school counselors, or youth support groups specifically designed for teens in similar situations, such as Alateen. Building good emotional habits is essential, and therapy can help you develop these skills if you struggle to express yourself or set boundaries. Remember, it is not your responsibility to fix the alcoholic's behaviour; your priority should be your safety and well-being.
If you are a spouse or loved one of an alcoholic, it is important to avoid placing yourself in situations where the alcoholic is intoxicated. Engage with your loved one when they are sober, and express your concerns about their anger and aggression when drinking. Try to remain calm, objective, and specific about the behaviours that are unsettling to you. It is also crucial to take sensible steps to avoid triggers that may escalate the situation.
Remember, alcoholism is a disease, and the person struggling with it may be ashamed and socially isolated due to the stigma associated with it. While it is essential to set boundaries and prioritize your safety, approaching the alcoholic in a compassionate, non-judgmental manner when they are calm and sober can help foster an environment conducive to change.
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Detoxification: Treatment centres and therapy can help manage withdrawal
When dealing with a raging alcoholic, it is important to remember that the best way to handle them is to not engage with them while they are intoxicated. Alcohol impairs decision-making and leads to a loss of self-control, which can result in angry outbursts and even violence. Instead, it is recommended to focus on building good emotional habits and seeking support. This can be done through therapy or support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, which offer help for both the alcoholic and their loved ones.
Detoxification is a critical step in the treatment of alcoholism and can be life-saving. Due to the dangerous and unpredictable nature of alcohol withdrawal, it is strongly advised to undergo detoxification under medical supervision. Treatment centres and therapy can play a vital role in managing withdrawal symptoms and increasing the chances of long-term sobriety. Medical professionals are equipped to provide the necessary care and support to ensure safety and comfort during this challenging process.
Treatment centres offer structured programmes that are tailored to the individual's needs. They provide a safe and controlled environment for detoxification, ensuring the patient's well-being. Medical professionals can administer medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, making the process more bearable. Additionally, therapy and counselling are integral components of treatment centre programmes. Individual and group therapy sessions help patients address the underlying issues contributing to their alcoholism, develop coping strategies, and build a strong foundation for ongoing recovery.
Therapy is a crucial aspect of managing alcohol withdrawal and preventing relapse. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is often used to help individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours associated with alcohol use. Therapy also provides a safe space to process emotions, address relationship issues, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, offer ongoing peer support and a sense of community, which can be invaluable during and after the detoxification process.
In addition to treatment centres and therapy, medical professionals may recommend medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to manage alcohol withdrawal. MAT typically involves the use of specific medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and restore balance to the brain and body. This approach can help individuals safely navigate the detoxification process and establish a foundation for ongoing recovery. It is important to remember that seeking professional help is essential when dealing with alcohol withdrawal, as attempting to detox without medical supervision can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
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Address the problem: Discuss concerns with the alcoholic when sober
If you are in a relationship with a raging alcoholic, it is important to remember that you should not suffer in silence. Alcoholism is a disease, and it is treatable. Alcoholics often lose control over the amount of alcohol they consume daily, and they end up drinking more to overcome their alcohol tolerance. If you are concerned about your immediate safety, or the safety of someone else, it is important to seek help.
When addressing the problem, it is best to wait until the alcoholic is sober. This way, you can be sure that they are in their right mind and capable of responding rationally. When discussing your concerns, try to remain objective and keep emotions out of the equation. Give specific examples of behaviours that are unsettling. It is important to approach the conversation with compassion and without judgement. Make them aware of the extent of the problem and how it is affecting you and your family.
If you are a teenager with a parent who is a raging alcoholic, it is important to seek emotional support from other adults, school counsellors, and youth support groups. You can also reach out to other family members, such as a grandparent or aunt/uncle. Remember that it is not your fault and that you are not alone.
Alcoholics can become unpredictable and unsafe, even over small issues, and it is important to keep yourself safe. If you are a minor, or you are concerned for your safety, it is important to seek help from the appropriate authorities.
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Frequently asked questions
Alcoholic rage syndrome, also known as "angry drunk" behaviour, is a condition where individuals become combative, hostile, or aggressive when under the influence of alcohol. People with this syndrome often exhibit violent behaviour and struggle to control their anger.
A raging alcoholic often loses control over the amount of alcohol they consume daily. They may also experience increased aggression and anger when drinking, impairment in functioning at work, school, or in relationships, and exhibit these symptoms during or shortly after drinking.
If the person is a loved one, an intervention specialist can help formulate a plan to reduce their drinking. Alcohol treatment centres can also aid in detoxification and therapy to control withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide assistance to friends and family members.
If you are concerned about your immediate safety, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline or a similar service in your country. Do not engage with the person while they are intoxicated as they are unlikely to respond rationally. Instead, talk to them when they are sober, and voice your concerns about their behaviour when drunk.
