Friend with MS drinks, talks to themselves constantly
Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 12:15 pm
A friend of mine who I help provide care for has been diagnosed with MS for about 5 years. For a while after their diagnosis, even though they had more difficulty getting about than before, stayed involved in activities around the community and I thought they were doing well. They had to leave their job but got involved in volunteer organizations and clubs to fill the time and seemed very happy. And I in turn was happy for them, because I saw they were finding meaning in their life.
However, sometime around 6 to 8 months ago, they dropped out of their activities for reasons I do not know (I have asked, but never given an answer that sheds any light), and increasingly spends most of their time laying in bed, drinking hard liquor, and talking to themselves. I frequently find myself walking by the bedroom and they are just laying there talking away. Mind you... this person was always a drinker, but never used to do this. They would drink a glass or two near bedtime and that was it. I actually spotted them drinking after waking up in the morning so I know it's getting bad.
They drink an obscene amount... large empty bottles are frequently found. I can't get them to stop drinking or seek help, I have tried many times. Their drinking also makes them fall more, and they have had to go to the hospital or get EMT assistance for falls related to drinking.
I'm just really frustrated and don't know what to do anymore. I feel like this person is not the person I knew a few years ago and I'm worried they are on a rapid deterioration. One of my concerns is this is not merely depression but some sort of mental decline. Their hygiene has suffered too. They clean their teeth regularly but I don't think they are showering/bathing. When they do leave the house for anything more than just a trip to the store, they use a huge amount of cologne which I think they are doing to hide body odor. This is a person who used to bathe semi-daily in their hayday, and at least once or twice a week after their diagnosis.
I have reached out to their closest friend (who admittedly they don't see in person too often) but was told they didn't notice anything strange or new about their behavior, so either it is being hidden well to people other than me, or the friend is just a loon. I can't tell anymore. As for family, I don't have any of their family information and they seem to have very little contact with family.
What options do I have here. I'm not a licensed caregiver or under any sort of contract with them. I don't have access to their doctor information, and have almost no access to their friends/family. How do I know when they need outside help and who do I talk to about that, when it comes down to it?
Has anyone dealt with something like this... any and all input would be appreciated.
However, sometime around 6 to 8 months ago, they dropped out of their activities for reasons I do not know (I have asked, but never given an answer that sheds any light), and increasingly spends most of their time laying in bed, drinking hard liquor, and talking to themselves. I frequently find myself walking by the bedroom and they are just laying there talking away. Mind you... this person was always a drinker, but never used to do this. They would drink a glass or two near bedtime and that was it. I actually spotted them drinking after waking up in the morning so I know it's getting bad.
They drink an obscene amount... large empty bottles are frequently found. I can't get them to stop drinking or seek help, I have tried many times. Their drinking also makes them fall more, and they have had to go to the hospital or get EMT assistance for falls related to drinking.
I'm just really frustrated and don't know what to do anymore. I feel like this person is not the person I knew a few years ago and I'm worried they are on a rapid deterioration. One of my concerns is this is not merely depression but some sort of mental decline. Their hygiene has suffered too. They clean their teeth regularly but I don't think they are showering/bathing. When they do leave the house for anything more than just a trip to the store, they use a huge amount of cologne which I think they are doing to hide body odor. This is a person who used to bathe semi-daily in their hayday, and at least once or twice a week after their diagnosis.
I have reached out to their closest friend (who admittedly they don't see in person too often) but was told they didn't notice anything strange or new about their behavior, so either it is being hidden well to people other than me, or the friend is just a loon. I can't tell anymore. As for family, I don't have any of their family information and they seem to have very little contact with family.
What options do I have here. I'm not a licensed caregiver or under any sort of contract with them. I don't have access to their doctor information, and have almost no access to their friends/family. How do I know when they need outside help and who do I talk to about that, when it comes down to it?
Has anyone dealt with something like this... any and all input would be appreciated.