Disclaimer:  This is not my writing but it is interesting and as an Alcoholic I can identify with it.

Larry,
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The Alcoholic And Low Tolerance And Frustration Levels

 The alcoholic becomes frustrated easily with even the most basic things.  Something insignificant to most if us can cause them to become extremely agitated and upset.  Generally the frustration builds up and they will have minor or major outbursts to vent the gradually increasing pressure inside.  In the parlance and philosophy of Twelve Step programs, this type of outburst is called a brainstorm.  A typical example would be the alcoholic eating dinner and someone at the table makes an innocent remark.  The next thing you know, dinner is thrown against the wall.  This is comparable to a volcano erupting the pressure inside is always building and the last comment was just enough to cause the volcano to erupt.

 

Interesting topic, Larry.

We are studying tolerance and threshold for sensory stimulus in my psychology program right now. It could have a profound effect on the alcoholic's ability to tolerate emotional experiences as well as other people.

We did an assessment in my Learning Team of each member's ability to tolerate loud noise and also of multiple sound stimuli being generated at once (curiously called the "cocktail party effect" LOL). Although I do not mention my alcoholism in Team discussion, I found that I have a very low tolerance for noise levels (loud noise in particular) and also for when "multiple stimuli" (many voices or sounds) come at me all at once.

As an alcoholic, I believe I tend to tire more easily of certain stimuli such as noise, because I walked around for so long dulled with a "veil" of drunkenness hampering my ability to accurately sense the world around me. I remember first getting sober after many years of daily drinking and using, where everything seemed so loud and bright. I was exhausted quickly as my brain attempted to process all this new "information" that was coming my way now that the "paper bag over my head" that alcohol put there was no longer in place.

This might relate to the short tempers and general low tolerance for sensory processing, including psychological processing, that starts to occur more readily once the alcoholic sobers up. I might snap at a person who makes an innocent comment at the dinner table, while the content of the comment may have very little to do with my reaction. I may be snapping because I am experiencing "sensory overload" for the day, or because someone's voice or tone is simply uncomfortable.

This is where I feel that H.A.L.T. is sooooo important for us alcoholics to heed!! The more I study and learn about the biological nature of the human mind and nervous system regarding personality and emotions, the greater value I place on things like relaxation, nutrition and avoidance of counterproductive emotions like anger.

 

Yes  I manage a facilty for 'people with Disabilities and also have a 24 year old son(heroin addict in recovery) diagnosed with severe Manic/Depression.One minute all is well and next minute storm has erupted.not sure if that is similar....I also know just "normal" (non-addicted) who act like that...I  have played drums in and out of al kind of musical scenarios thru my life so noise doesn't affect me too much(although I have  tremendous Tinnitus from exposure that keeps me on edge some of the time,.a loud whistling inside my head that never silences and exacerbates when I m under stress..Im sure 25 years of drunken demeanor has not helped!

LOL Mike, I recall having heard a loud yell at a bar that pierced my very skull... and I complained... and then I realized that voice was my OWN!!! LOL

i live in a VERY noisey area, traffic, sirens etc it is starting to get to me. i cannot stand certain noises like scratchy noises make me want to scream my head off. noise does get to me way more than it used to. not sure if its because of where i live but i long for some peace and quiet.



-- Edited by slugcat on Monday 10th of May 2010 01:17:41 PM

(whispering) Hey slugcat.......


BOO!!

(sorry I had to......)

So I have a sweet wonderful person in the fellowship who continually wants to pair up in events and meetings.  She is ADD she says; very chatty and short attention span.  Despite loving her, in her presence I find I have  low tolerance and little patience.  I am in inny, she's an outie.  It's occurred to me that this is a lesson I am being offered. And not learning???....

I related to the writing presented here.  I want to scream sometimes.  Using this space as a rant.  I found today that in an upcoming get-away/ AA retreat she will be honored to request me as a roomie.  How do deal with this in a loving way?  My first inner reaction was Hell No! then I won't go.  Now, I feel all I can do is to pray to HP to show me how I can be more loving to others and myself.  I feel like I am failing to see how to relate to others in healthy way.

Thank you for letting me share.

Jonijoni,

Very interesting this topic. I never gave it much thought except, that maybe I must have some underlying personality disorder. 

I come from a family of alcoholics and manic-depressives (bi-polar.) I read somewhere once, that where one finds Bi-polar disorder in a family, there will also be alcoholism.

My mother used to say I was highly emotional all of my life. I remember some of those times too. I freaked out at the sound of fireworks,loud train whistles,bright lights,over stimuli of any kind.
I am very sensitive too. I saw a friend from AA at the gas station the other day...I said, Hello, XXXX how are you? We pleasantly passed average words,between each other,until I asked him if he'd saw or heard from someone (first name only,) he replied,no, that he thought they'd moved away. Oh, well, as I was leaving (we attend meetings at differing times) I asked, quite a few down at the Church? He said, What? I repeated and he said, Bye, with a frustrated look on his face. Walked away.

I had not relapsed at that time, but that was very hurtful to me. I added it to my list of current frustrations. I thought, he must've thought I was breaking annonymity or something. That was not at all my intent. In my mind, I could not let it go. So, I felt ashamed and missed yet another meeting.

I hate crowds,too much exposure,too much stimuli,unexpected confrontations,insults,being reprimanded by those in power, you name it. I appear,it seems as extroverted to others for the brief times I allow myself to be exposed,yet I am an introvert. I seem to be afraid of everything at times, other times not.
Even in AA meetings, I fear too much involvement with the politics of things. I walk on egg shells fearing I'll say or do something that will cause me trouble,as it seems I have a tendency to get into scrapes...quite by accident. 

With the paper bag over my head,as you called it (alcohol.) I did not give a good da*m what anyone thought or said. I had attitude then! LOL! Yet, I still suffered later with that terrible guilt and shame,while alone and sobering up.

I have that terrible tinnitus(ringing in my ears) from all the loud music I used to listen too,while drinking, and while under stress.

Maybe there is some truth to this "Low Tolerance and Frustration Levels in some of us alcoholics." I know,that it is the case for me.

I have found there are many facets in this thing called alcoholism and, that no counselor,psychiatrist,psychologist,therapist could help me with my problems,nor understand me like the people in AA. There is where I have always found my place,and my successes. Scared or not.
The willingness,and an open mind on my part to fight for my life is all it takes. 

Thank you for your input and your time,
J  

Mikef,

Yeah, white noise, or a fan are very helpful for me.

Aspirin can also cause an increase in the ringing affect. Yet, people who drink or have about shot thier liver should not take Tylenol (name brand)/ acetaminophen, because it can cause liver failure. Catch-22 there. Ibuprofen in moderation,I guess.   

Nice talking to you.
J