Need some advice

RPT1980

Long time lurker here, first post. I have become aware that someone I love is drinking what I think is a lot. I drink less than 10-20 units a year though, so I know what I think is a lot is probably very different to other people, so I'd welcome your opinions.

The person in question is married retired lady in her mid sixties. She's getting through a regular 70cl bottle of vodka in 3-4 evenings. She's still perfectly functional though has bad arthritis. Her husband drinks about an equivalent amount of whisky in a similar time, as far as I can see.

Is this a lot? It seems to be to me but I don't know if I'm overreacting (a bottle of vodka in my house will easily sit in the cupboard for six years or more lol). I'm not sure if I should say anything to her - we are very close, so this does worry me now I've seen it. However, I live far away so don't get to see each more than every few months.

Any ideas on how I should approach this? Thanks.

Tropez

Assuming the vodka is in the 35-40% alcohol range, then there is around 25-30 units in the bottle of vodka. The recommended alcohol limit for women is 14 units per week and no more than 3 in one day hence this lady is drinking around double the recommended levels in around half a week. However, the recommended levels by country vary quite remarkably and in some countries the unit level can even be double the UKs.

There are health benefits to alcohol. Drinking 1-2 units per day, particularly in the over 40s, is believed to protect against heart disease and strokes.

I wouldn't know how to broach this subject with the lady in question. Only you really know how she might react. Some people would see it as having earned their right to drink, others may be drinking to medicate (such as with arthritis), although alcohol can interfere with any prescription medications for arthritis and can even have health implications.

Gavin83

I'd personally say as long as it isn't affecting her health, her behaviour or her life then it isn't a problem. I'd also be careful how you approach this, most people would get extremely offended if a suggestion was made that they had a drinking problem.

getmore4less

70cl in 3-4 evenings is not a lot, but more than recomended.

Think equivilent to a bottle of wine or 3-4 beers.


Makes birthdays xmas pressies easy.

ailuro2

If she's in her sixties and has arthritis I'd be letting her get on with it while she still can!

Yes, she's drinking more than she should but what are you going to do to stop her?

pinkshoes

I'd say leave her be, so long as she's not drink driving.

It is quite a lot, but if she's happy, then I'd let her be. Watch for signs of her drinking during the day too, or getting very skinny (i.e. drinking rather than eating).

flutterby_lil

It seems a lot to me and I'd be quite concerned too, considering her age.

Maybe comment the next time you are round, is she a relative?

Good luck and I admire your concern.

My mum had a pub and used to drink around a bottle of malibu a night, not strong like vodka, but could still get up the next morning and run a pub, she got used to it and it kept her going. Now she has come out of the pub she rarely drinks, not even xmas. It was a way of life that I don't think she realised what she was doing, but now looking back she knows it was a lot.