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Original poster

Long term drinkers and health

44 replies

Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 09:58

My brother has been a drinker for years. Between 1 and 2 bottles of wine everynight, more at the weekend. He holds down a high powered job, has a family. Hes fast approaching 60. He recently had a health check and is completely healthy, i am so relieved but also so confused. He has literally Drank everyday for years and years

OP posts:
Wartywart · 19/02/2022 10:00

It's seemingly random. Another person who drinks as much as he does might be in end stage liver failure. He's just been lucky.

Wolfiefan · 19/02/2022 10:04

He’s been lucky. So far.
I don’t see how this is a relief. He’s a functioning alcoholic.

Peanutssuck · 19/02/2022 10:04

Bizarrely, him stopping would be what killed him. I don't know the science behind it

FizzyBizz · 19/02/2022 10:04

Luck. And things can change very suddenly.

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 10:09

@Wolfiefan its a relief that hes in good health, i wouldn't wish bad health on anyone let alone someone close to me. I just wondered if theres a reason why its so different for some people and not others.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/02/2022 10:14

His good health (if he’s telling you the full truth) is not likely to last though.
Plus he’s still an alcoholic.

RubyRedRoses · 19/02/2022 10:18

My dad was a bit like this. A doctor who drank a lot and managed to function very well. He's a bit of a machine.

But it did catch up with him. He had some kidney problems and some other things which weren't so serious but did affect his lifestyle. He quit drinking at 68 and has been teetotal for 4 years now. I'm also teetotal as it worries me a bit. We have a lot of alcohol problems in my family.

My mum died of a heart problem after about ten years of heavy drinking. Probably not coincidence. I am told that it can be unfairly harder on women. Men get away with it a bit more but there's a limit obviously

BeautyGoesToBenidorm · 19/02/2022 10:30

@Peanutssuck

Bizarrely, him stopping would be what killed him. I don't know the science behind it
Suddenly going cold turkey could possibly cause a withdrawal seizure, where the electrical activity in the brain goes haywire due to GABA imbalance.

These seizures are often fatal, which is why tapering/medically controlled withdrawal is so important in long-term alcoholics.

RidingMyBike · 19/02/2022 15:08

Did he tell you the truth? Alcoholics are usually in denial that there's a problem and the consequences of it. A friend was alcoholic and had liver function tests in her early 30s which were already showing up problems.

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 15:12

I can only assume he told the truth, he's very open about his drinking and has no concerns whatsoever about it. Don't think he would lie.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/02/2022 15:35

Alcoholics lie.
Rare for a health check to cover everything. Doubt he’s been honest with the doctor about his drinking.

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 16:58

@Wolfiefan no disrespect but your making a lot of assumptions.

I was just wondering why some people get away with when others dont. Is it the build up over many years, is it genes, or maybe just luck.

My brother is living a very happy and content life, of course i worry but then theres plenty other stuff he could do to make me worry

OP posts:
Suzi888 · 19/02/2022 16:59

It’s luck. Let’s hope it continues.

Wolfiefan · 19/02/2022 17:09

He’s a happy alcoholic. Hmmm
Hope he doesn’t drive. He would be constantly over the limit.
Hope he doesn’t have kids and a partner who have to put up with this behaviour.
You carry on justifying his alcoholism as being ok as he’s “healthy” OP. Hmm

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 18:15

@Wolfiefan firstly i never actually commented on what kind of person he is when drinking, so not sure how you determined the impact on his wife. Nor did i justify nor criticise his drinking, only stated that he did it.

If we cant have an open discussion on an alcohol forum about alcohol without someone jumping in with assumptions and being critical how then can anyone ask for the support they need. Piling on with the same old same isn't helping anyone.

For everyone else thanks. I am just fascinated that some people can drink their whole lives With little or no health ramifications when others really struggle.

OP posts:
OMGItsEarly · 19/02/2022 18:18

[quote Spongebobsmartypants]@Wolfiefan its a relief that hes in good health, i wouldn't wish bad health on anyone let alone someone close to me. I just wondered if theres a reason why its so different for some people and not others.[/quote]
What was included in the health check?

Liver function tests could be ‘normal’ even though an ultrasound could show damage.

FTEngineerM · 19/02/2022 18:18

ExH an alcoholic @Wolfiefan 😬?

Wolfiefan · 19/02/2022 18:21

Nope. Happily married.
My father was though and he wrecked the family.
Alcoholics lie.
They put their drinking above all else.

I am noting you’ve not said he doesn’t drive.

A580Hojas · 19/02/2022 18:23

I think by some quirk of nature, some people can drink an awful lot and live a very long life. Look at the Queen Mother.

Otoh, I think the Govt guidelines on what you can get away with are on the very low side. Don't know why I think that, I'm probably wrong!

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 18:31

@Wolfiefan i am no longer replying to you, no disrespect and i am sorry for your own experiences but i am not here to defend nor criticise my brothers drinking, only to discuss how and why it affects Longterm drinkers so differently. I wish you all the best.

Thanks to everyone else. I am sure he had a liver scan. It was a private medical check for work so not something he seeked out. But was pretty thorough.
i suppose it is just luck, hes one of the luckiest guys i know. One of those who just bumbles through life.

OP posts:
Nothingsfine · 19/02/2022 18:32

Some people have underlying conditions that make them more susceptible to liver failure. Some take meds that impact on the liver, which added to alcohol, will speed up damage.
Some people with problematic drinking will also indulge in other risky behaviour, drug taking, not eating properly so not getting the right nutrients from food which can affect the liver. Or their diet could be very heavy in salt again attacking the liver.
The other thing to remember is, drinking to excess can be linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer which can hit out of the blue.
Some heavy drinkers don't see the effects of excessive drinking into their 60s or 70s.

Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 18:34

@A580Hojas i agree about the government guidelines seem very low

OP posts:
Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 18:37

@Nothingsfine thats all very good points, other than alcohol he has a very healthy lifestyle with the money to easily sustain it He eats very healthily and visits the gym regularly. Which is another thing that fascinates me as he never seems hungover. I suppose his body is just in that permanent state.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spongebobsmartypants · 19/02/2022 18:39

I myself am complete opposite. Couple of glasses and its like a train has hit, for that very reason i rarely drink. .

OP posts:
dontblamemee · 19/02/2022 18:45

My step dad is a similar age and drinks a similar amount and has done since he was a young man. He was very healthy until 2 years ago when he had a stroke and has since been diagnosed with dementia.

I guess it catches up eventually.