Trista_Katagata Questions, Advice, Alcohol My dad's not been drinkin', but I can somehow sense, actually, FEEL that he has. . . Every time he gets angry, I just sort of shrink back and want to cry. Why is that? Also, I want to know why I feel so. . . so. . . unfree when I see my father angry. Why can't I talk? Why am I afraid to talk? Does Alcohol do this to you after so many years? (I beleive this started when I was 6, or younger.) Akagi Ritsuko Alcohol does not make one angry. However, it can lessen the natural inhibitions of an otherwise upset person and allow them to express their anger loudly, and unfortunately, even violently. Alcohol may allow someone who is upset to not think as clearly about what is angering them, so to them it may seem as though it "helps." But in fact, it does nothing to help their underlying feelings or situation. It may even make matters worse as alcohol's depressant effects can cause them to feel more strongly worse about their situation, while becoming less able to understand and thereby control those feelings and impulses. While it is not obviously marketted as such, alcohol is a drug. Alcohol abuse over a long period of time, can lead to the body becoming more resistant to the pleasant, or "numbing" effects of alcohol, while its depressive effects may get stronger as the abuser feels the need to drink more and more until they get the same effect they are trying to achieve. On the other hand, there are what I would call "social alcoholics." A person like this conscioulsy or sub-consciously sees alcohol as a cruch or an excuse to act out in ways that they feel they could not while sober. It may start innocently enough, for example, drinking a little "liquid courage" before telling someone you like how you really feel about them, in the hopes that your weakened inhibitions will not stop you from tripping over the thoughts in your head. The ancient Romans refered to it as "In vino, veritas" (in wine, truth). Unfortunately, it can also lead them to feel free to express more negative thoughts and emotions. In their case it is not so much that they drink large amounts, enough for them to begin to feel the effects is enough for them to feel they now have the excuse to speak their mind and act out their agressions without having to feel guilt or remorse, because it was "just the beer talking." Alucard Tepis When you see your father angry, and possibly drunk, you feel scared, trapped, and the need to be silent. This is a natural reaction to a threatening situation. You sound like you care about your father, and it makes sense that when you see him acting angry and threatening, you want to avoid any conflict with him. You don't want to make anything worse, so you force yourself to say nothing. That someone you care about is very angry and out of control and you feel you can't do anything about it would make anyone sad.