How concerned should I be?

1227 Views 21 Replies 13 Participants Last post by kramperman, Oct 18, 2006

DarrenW

Discussion Starter · Oct 18, 2006

Serious question.

Someone I know, very close to me, drinks. A lot - in my opinion, but I dunno. It's got to be AT LEAST two or three cans of cider and four or five cans of beer a night, or a bottle of wine and some cans.

EVERY night, without fail.

And at least twice a week there's a pub drinking session which lasts for about three hours and results in them not being able to walk or control their speech etc (basically fully ratted).

This has been going on for at least two years or so, probably more.

Now, I drink myself and get totally hammered, but only at shows do I full-on go for it, maybe once a fortnight in the pub (couple of pints), and maybe a bottle of wine on a Saturday night. See, I don't know what's "normal" or "acceptable" or even "healthy" really (obviously their point-intake is more than recommended).

I approached the subject once and their response was basically "everyone I work with/know/hang out with finishes work and goes and sits in the pub til closing time every night, I'm no different".

Should I be concerned about their long-term (and short term!) health, or am I unduly worried?

All thoughts welcome

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

cuchullain

· #2 · Oct 18, 2006

DarrenW said:
It's got to be AT LEAST two or three cans of cider and four or five cans of beer a night, or a bottle of wine and some cans.

EVERY night, without fail.

And at least twice a week there's a pub drinking session which lasts for about three hours and results in them not being able to walk or control their speech etc (basically fully ratted).

they have an alcohol problem dude

cheers
paul

rustie bouquette

· #3 · Oct 18, 2006

yeah you do right to worry as they are drinking too much. the only saving grace is that its consistent and not binging so the body adapts a bit better. I was warned (after some scary liver function test results) about six months back to reign in my drinking a bit. I do, though like my spirits (which do more damage than beer) although my weekly intake may well have been less than your mates.
bottom line is express your concerns as best you can but only your mate can change their habits....it's gotta come from them!

Pyro

· #4 · Oct 18, 2006

Thats serious mate, trouble is they wont listen.

DarrenW

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 18, 2006

Pyro said:
Thats serious mate, trouble is they wont listen.

Ain't that the truth

Thanks. This post was kind of my last attempt at holding on to some sort of denial - "maybe it's not as bad as I think, maybe it's actually kind of normal" - but deep down I knew it wasn't.

*sigh*

Kafer_meister

· #6 · Oct 18, 2006

That is a little excessive dude,

Have you mentioned it to him?

rustie bouquette

· #7 · Oct 18, 2006

See less See more

morgana

· #8 · Oct 18, 2006

that's more than me and I think I drink too much

dubman

· #9 · Oct 18, 2006

is he/she happy ? some people do life differant , i drank far worse than that every day topped with drugs etc , ive calmed down now and in best shape of my life , a bit skitzoid but alive

, i may die in 5 years from all the shit who knows its one big chance , but if there happy let em get on with it , i have no regreats , i still look back with a smile , i just new one day if i lived to calm down , 5 years after my plan but hey its a start

DarrenW

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 18, 2006

Kafer_meister said:
That is a little excessive dude,

Have you mentioned it to him?

Once or twice, to receive the expected denial, "I'm not the only one" etc etc blah blah.

Trouble is, unlike a "normal" situation where I can approach someone as a concerned friend etc, it's a lot more complex than that. Lots of baggage, lots of potential for misinterpreted meaning and stuff.

'cos it's family... And I don't know any of his mates well enough to kind of have a word and see if they can help...

DarrenW

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 18, 2006

dubman said:
is he/she happy ? some people do life differant , i drank far worse than that every day topped with drugs etc , ive calmed down now and in best shape of my life , a bit skitzoid but alive , i may die in 5 years from all the shit who knows its one big chance , but if there happy let em get on with it , i have no regreats , i still look back with a smile , i just new one day if i lived to calm down , 5 years after my plan but hey its a start

I know what you mean, but I don't think he is, no. I feel like I barely know him, our family aren't close really for a variety of reasons, but he's not out partying or having a great time with it all. It's pop-out mid evening to the off-licence, back with a carrier bag of ale, and start drinking in front of the telly/PC/whatever.

morgana

· #12 · Oct 18, 2006

DarrenW said:
I know what you mean, but I don't think he is, no. I feel like I barely know him, our family aren't close really for a variety of reasons, but he's not out partying or having a great time with it all. It's pop-out mid evening to the off-licence, back with a carrier bag of ale, and start drinking in front of the telly/PC/whatever.

I'm happy though

Kafer_meister

· #13 · Oct 18, 2006

polly said:
I'm happy though

So you should be

westy77

· #14 · Oct 18, 2006

polly said:
I'm happy though

if im not going out i will have four cans of larger on a night

beetleragtop

· #15 · Oct 18, 2006

if he carries on drinking like that he could end up with what ive got and it aint nice!!!!

pancreitus

ive lost 4 stone in a year, no energy, in pain all the time (and sometimes f""king agony like you dont never believe you can be!!)

im only 32 but used to drink to a similar level to that and it caused my condition (90% sure so my consultant says)

tell him to call me if he wants to know what its like!!

morgana

· #16 · Oct 18, 2006

Kafer_meister said:
So you should be

the morphine helps

Kafer_meister

· #17 · Oct 18, 2006

polly said:
the morphine helps

Being ace helps too

DeanoVW

· #18 · Oct 18, 2006

You should be concerned imho. Trouble is there aint much you can do, apart from be there to pick him and help him out if/when he asks for help. You should let him know that.

Kafer_meister

· #19 · Oct 18, 2006

Seriously though Mr D, that sort of drinking is usually symtomatic of a deeper problem. You need to find out what that is, and try and help him with it.

Nic B-C

· #20 · Oct 18, 2006

I have a friend like that and i have told her to be careful a million times, shes lovely though!

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

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