alcoholism & antidepressants

[geekgirl]

hoping someone here might know more about this...
My dad (62) has had problems with alcohol since before I was born, but my mum kept it 'under control' in a way. Sadly my mum died nearly 2 years ago, and my poor father has completely lost the plot.
His drinking has been out of control ever since, although he is convinced he doesn't have a problem and everyone else just keeps nagging him. He drinks heavily virtually every day and is very depressed. I have asked him repeatedly to get help, it seems he has finally done so - my aunt told me that he told her that he will soon be going into hospital as an inpatient the psych ward, and will then continue treatment on an outpatient basis - for some reason he doesn't want me or my brother to know. She told me this and we got rather excited that he might be going in for detox - but no. When she quizzed him he said it was for depression, and the initial stay is for only 2 weeks.
We are all worried that he hasn't mentioned the alcohol abuse to his GP. He is very good at drinking on the sly, smuggling alcohol etc. and will without a doubt continue drinking in hospital. Does excessive alcohol consumption interact with antidepressants? I am worried that he will end up killing himself with the booze (which he will do sooner or later anyway I suppose ).

[MIFLAW]

Yes it does.

Didn't kill me, just made me feel far worse, meant there was no chance whatsoever of antidepressants working, and ensured I never made my therapy appointments and would have lied during them anyway.

Only a doctor can tell you whether this is actually dangerous but, as an ex-turps nudger, I can tell you that it is VERY BAD NEWS INDEED.

[geekgirl]

thanks MIFLAW, that's what I suspected. I don't really know what to do. I can't talk to him directly about it as I'm not supposed to know... (although as I ring him at home several times a week I wonder how on earth he thought he'd hide it from me)
I guess once we know which ward he is in we can try to talk to a doctor on that ward and let them know. But I think as soon as any of them mention alcohol abuse he'll just get a huff on and walk out (to the nearest pub).

[MIFLAW]

Yes, he probably will.

He won't sort it out till he hits rock-bottom and only he will know when that is.

In the mean time, protect number one.

Good luck!