Do you think this is excessive alcohol consumption?

[bigbeuato]

Just after some opinions on this.
Do you think drinking 4 nights a week, at least a bottle of wine each time is excessive? If more than a bottle of wine it could be a few spirits or beers as well?

[Cantchooseaname]

Yep.
Recommend consumption is 14 units a week.
A bottle of wine is 10ish. So 40 units in wine, plus others.
It’s not great, really.

[Wolfiefan]

Of course it is.

[Paddingtonthebear]

Bottle of wine to yourself or shared 4 nights?

[20viona]

Yes

[Graciebobcat]

Yes.

[bigbeuato]

This isn't actually me, but my dm who I'm worried about. She doesn't think it's a problem at all as she says most people drink most nights. I don't drink at all- so I was wondering if my opinion is too far the other way. I'm concerned but don't know what to do as she won't listen. She looks after my 2 much younger siblings who I don't think are in any danger whatsoever, but who I think it can't be much fun for either.

[MolotovMocktail]

Yes, that’s a huge amount.

[bigbeuato]

A bottle each night- not shared over the nights. Each night of drinking at least one bottle of wine (and if more it could be an extra couple of glasses, or spirits or beers- although sometimes it is just the bottle of wine and no more).

[JoJoSM2]

As above, that’s about 40 units and should be under 14 per week.

[Chicchicchicchiclana]

As I understand it Government guidelines for women equate to about a maximum of 1.5 bottles per week.

I don't know whether that's safe or not but if you are basing your judgement on UK Govt "advice" there is your answer.

[icelollycraving]

I can easily do it. I have to really try to not. Dad was an alcoholic. I grew up with parents drinking to relax. It’s second nature to drink to decompress,
It is a habit which occasionally I think fuuuuuck and stop for a bit, mainly when I’m eating and drinking healthier.
A bottle of wine is 3 glasses (in my house) so it’s easy to think but I only had 2 glasses.
I don’t drive so never had to consider that.
I am at present much more conscious of it. It’s hard but I’d be really embarrassed if anyone raised it as a concern.

[superram]

I could do it easily but try not to as it’s bad for you. I’d be merry but not shitfaced. If she could maybe just do it fri, saT, sun It would be a start.

[Wolfiefan]

I hope she’s not driving after that. She has a drink problem but doesn’t believe she has so won’t change.

[Mum2jenny]

Lots of ppl drink to that level, not saying it’s right, but they do. As an adult, it is their choice, not yours. I do understand how you can be worried, but ultimately an adult chooses how much they want to drink.

[Wolfiefan]

@Mum2jenny that level of drinking is really not good. Plenty of people drink a bit too much but four bottles plus other spirits etc? Every week? Really unhealthy.

[markzuckerbergsgreytshirt]

That's a huge amount and not very healthy. The more you drink the more your tolerance builds up so that's likely why your DM cannot see the problem. She needs to cut back.

[nimbuscloud]

How old are your younger siblings? Are they properly cared for emotionally and physically?

[Plussizejumpsuit]

I used to work for an alcohol support charity. Health professionals used AUDIT alcohol screening tool to assess whether alcohol use is a problem. This was clinically developed. Can you do this on behalf of or ideally with your dm? It sounds like an issue but this will give you more of an idea of how problematic it is. Patient info have an interactive test.

[doctorhamster]

I think it's easy to slip into drinking that amount. One night a week turns to two, three, four very easily. It's not healthy though, no.

[ExclamationPerfume]

Very excessive. She will be wrecking her liver.

[SozBabes]

Is it common? Yes
Is it healthy? No

[JoJoSM2]

I’m suprised people think it’s common. I don’t think I know anyone who binge drinks and gets pissed most nights of the week.

I’d say a glass of wine some evenings is common (and within the recommended safe intake).

[Porridgeoat]

A glass of wine most evenings is quite normal with my friends. So well within limits. Not a bottle. I do know people that drink a bottle or more a night and their health is suffering

[Bluntness100]

I doubt she’s getting pissed, she will have a high tolerance to this now if she does it regularly.

It’s not healthy no, but it is common and as said, I doubt she’s pissed, especially if she eats properly.

[BarbaraofSeville]

I don’t think I know anyone who binge drinks and gets pissed most nights of the week

I know that technically that's what the DM is doing, but if she's drinking the wine over an extended period and eating a meal during the evening, she won't be noticeably drunk.

It's a lot more common than you think, many people drink like this and it's quite easy to do. Glass of wine after work, another with dinner and a third when you sit down afterwards and the bottle is gone.

I know I could easily behave like this without 'getting pissed' but I mostly don't because I know it's not healthy and leads to an increased chance of liver damage after doing this for a prolonged period.

But I do know a lot of people who drink like this, or more. A lot of people I know are surprised that I drink 'so little' when in reality I drink probably 10-20 units a week, so hardly a light drinker.