are most alcoholics violent?

[asiatic]

I'm fairly sure my friend's husband is alcoholic. Is it likely that he is violent? are most alcoholics violent? or just some? I've never had any reason to think he is aggresive, but am wondering if she would be covering up?

No they're not all violent but dishibition makes it more likely that they would be than the average joe in the street.

Do you have reason to believe that he's been violent towards her other than the fact that he's an alcoholic?

No not all alcoholics are violent. However, it isn't any easier living with an alcoholic than is it with someone who is violent.

In a way it can be easier to have a violent partner removed than one who is just drunk.

There's physical violence, and there's the kind of violence which is in the way a mood can be weilded. You can brutalise or frighten or traumatise or bully people without laying a finger on them, I think. Alcoholism is kind of emotionally violent. It has lots of victims.

I have no reasn to think he is violent at all, other than realising just how effectively his wife is covering up the alcoholism, and worrying she might cover up violence too. Thanks for your info

I have known (unfortunately) plenty of alcoholics.. not all are violent. Some are, but certainly not all. I would say most are certainly verbally abusive though.. which can be just as mentally draining as physical violence.

As a recovering alcoholic I can assure you that not all alcoholics are violent but many alcoholics seem to have difficulty dealing with anger and resentment so are more likely to be abusive when drunk. As my drinking progressed I became violent just as my father had been before me but I was also abusive verbally and used intimidation to harm other people. Of course I can tell you this because I haven't had a drink for a long time and am still not proud of my behaviour but I can look back and see how irrational and frankly how bonkers I was when I was using alcohol.

My alcoholism does not excuse my behaviour but I now know that it wasn't until people stopped tolerating me and left me to get on with it that I would do something about it. The sad truth is most alcoholics won't admit there is a problem, often it is best to get out of their way and let them get on with it.

I agree with Redbunnyfruitcake. My ex husband was an alcoholic and he was a total shit to me until he finally got sober. It was like he became a different person when he drank. I understand that it isn't uncommon for alcoholics to seem to have a complete personality change when drunk (I think AA calls it an "allergy"). He changed completely in recovery.
Of course he then ran off with someone he met in AA but that is an whole other story