Longtime alcoholism is plaguing Carmen Tisch and likely led to her behavior the day she allegedly damaged a $30 million painting at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, her mother said Friday.

During Tisch’s first court appearance Friday morning, Mary Thompson broke down in tears describing the trouble that alcohol has caused her daughter.

“She is addicted to alcohol, and we have been trying to get her some help,” Thompson said. “We just want to help her. Hopefully, we are going to get her into treatment.”

Tisch, 36, was arrested at the museum on Dec. 29 after police say she punched the painting, slid down it with her pants down and urinated on herself.

During the hearing, prosecutor Kandace Gerdes noted that numerous people in the gallery at the time cautioned Tisch to control herself, to no avail.

Thompson did not say what Tisch was doing at the museum but said her daughter is a talented tattoo artist and the actions do not represent her true self.

Tisch is charged with criminal mischief. Her bail was reduced Friday from $20,000 to $5,000.

Thompson arrived in court with Tisch’s 71-year-old father, her brother and a treatment counselor who said she was working to get Tisch into a program.

Judge Andrew S. Armatas ordered Tisch to alcohol monitoring if she does post bond.

The painting, Still’s “1957-J-No. 2,” is valued at a minimum of $30 million, and about $10,000 in damage was done to it during the incident.

Tisch has a prior conviction for driving under the influence in 2008.

Her next court appearance is for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 23.

Felisa Cardona: 303-954-1219 or fcardona@denverpost.com