Worried my retired parents are drinking too much

Every night they drink whisky. They go through 4 litres of whisky a week.

Both have significant physical conditions which I don’t think the drink helps.

Mum got really angry when I suggested her insomnia might not be being helped by the drink.

My sisters aren’t concerned. They think mum and dad should enjoy their twilight years anyway they want.

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That amounts to 0.3 liters a day, each. It’s a lot of alcohol and you have every right to be worried.

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Thanks for understanding @Andrey

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Yes, the equivalent of 9 small beers if my math is correct. Puts a strain on the liver and not only.

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I get labelled a trouble maker if I bring the subject up within the family - no matter how gently I bring it up.

My uncle had a stroke three years back. His docs told him to reduce alcohol.

In a way I am just worried about losing mum and dad to physical illness before their time. This might be selfish of me.

But I was told I was selfish when I had a pot habit even though my docs told me not to.

Plus mum and dad are way more inebriated than I ever was when high.

They slur their words, fall over and argue. To be honest I not comfortable being around them when they are drunk

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I wouldn’t feel comfortable either. They sound like a danger to themselves. If these were my parents I’d try the sarcasm route. My parents are very sensitive to tongue in cheek. They would try to sober up out of shame.

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I agree , it seems a lot.

But there’s probably nothing you can do, as you found out when you bought it up with your mother.

You could risk bringing it up with your father.

There may be an interaction with meds they’re taking and alcohol. If so, you could mention that you’re worried about that.

If you want proper help and advice then you should check out al-anon uk

It’s for people affected by others drinking.

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I agree with your sisters

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well that’s a lot of whiskey…sorry man.

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A lot of whiskey there.

As someone who used to drink a lot ,…..mostly down to boredom.

Can they take up some hobbies instead ? Preferably hobbies that don’t go hand in hand with drinking lol.

I can see where they are coming from. I mean they probably worked all their lives and they earned it but I totally get where you’re coming from too as their son.

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I also find these days when I’ve had a couple of glsssrs of wine…. I can’t get to sleep……

It actually does affect your sleep.

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I think they would feel a lot better if they quit drinking. Maybe say that to them.

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I’d be hammered off that much whiskey

Yeah my advice is support them and encourage them to do the right thing

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I think you’re in the right to be concerned. The issue is they obviously don’t care and aren’t gonna listen to you.

Even if they halved the amount it would still be quite a lot.

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