Alcohol is not a pain remedy

Dear Dr. Roach: After treatment for prostate cancer (with brachytherapy) at age 69 my husband started self-medicating for pain with alcohol in what I feel to be staggering quantities. He refuses rehab, stating he won’t waste money on something that won’t work.

I’ll be the one left to deal with the effects of his drinking when they become so severe he can no longer deal with them. What signs/ symptoms must I watch for? — Anon.

It isn’t normal that he should have so much pain after brachytherapy. That’s a question for his urologist, general physician or a pain specialist.

I also am concerned about a mental health disorder, especially depression, which he may be using alcohol as a selftreatment for. You can support his getting treatment for pain and depression, if appropriate. One resource is at https:// www.samhsa.gov/.

Before I answer your question, I want to support you, in that you are neither responsible for nor able to cure his drinking problem. Your husband has to want to stop drinking. It’s not your fault.

The organs that can be affected by alcohol are many, but the most important are the liver, heart, bone marrow and brain. Signs of severe liver disease include a large, swollen abdomen, yellow color of the eyes and tremor. Heart failure from alcohol causes shortness of breath and fluid retention. Bone marrow disease causes easy bruising, bleeding and anemia. But the brain is the most profoundly affected, and the list of possible symptoms is very large. Ataxia (a particular type of unsteady walking), poor memory and many personality changes are common.

In order to help your husband, it is important for you to take care of yourself. Al-Anon provides support to people who have loved ones who are struggling with alcoholism.