I think you meant to write "exacerbate". At least, I hope so.
This is a fairly pointless quibble.
Many alcoholics start off self-medicating, then drift into dependence and addiction, or full-blow alcoholism.
I speak from some personal experience. I cared for my Alzheimer's-afflicted mother for four years, the latter part of which was 24-7. After a couple of accidents it became clear that she needed residential care, and I found her a place in a lovely hostel, where she is very comfortable. Thinks she owns it (her mohter bought it) and she give the garderners their orders, which they follow. Despite the Alzheimer's she still has the style of the formidable manager which she once was.
After getting her placed, and solving the biggest problem I have ever faced, I went to pieces. My psychiatrist said that this is surprisingly common: you gear your entire life to deal with a major issue, and when it is suddenly gone you are lost.
I drifted into "self-medication", including hveing a glbutt or two or three of white wine at lunch, and eventually realised I was sliding down the tube. I was diagnosed as suffering from "reactive alcoholism", which sounds much nicer than common or garden-variety alcoholism, but in terms of consequences there is little difference.
Anyhow, I detoxed, recovered, slipped, detoxed again. Took more than once to lick the problem. Alas, I have always enjoyed a couple of drinks before dinner. (My grandfather said: "Never eat on an empty stomach".)
However, I am not game to go back to "social drinking". It just isn't worth the risk.
Even though Hot and Spicy V8 Juice is a poor subsbreastute for a dry martini on the rocks.
Regards,
Izzy
