To think FIL drinks too much.

[SweeeeetCaroline]

He’ll have a bottle of beer in hand by lunchtime most days. He goes to the pub almost every day. He’s also a smoker but his drinking concerns me most as he’s now retired so he has more time on his hands. He never really appears drunk though.

Is it likely this will be greatly damaging his health? I don’t drink much at all so maybe this is more normal than I realise amoungst his generation. I just would hate to see this cause him to have poor health in future. Thanks.

How do you know how healthy his liver is? At best he has the liver of a man his own age notwithstanding the high alcohol intake

Whilst I almost baulk at the "his generation", contextually there was a time when your 'local' was the source of nearly all social entertainment and it didn't/doesn't involve the social 'binge-drinking' that the younger generations did/do.

I appreciate your concerns for your FIL's health but please don't be too concerned - he functions, doesn't drink and drive and isn't unpleasant - it's beer and not spirits, which is usually worse. It probably makes each day a little less boring now he's retired. He might well wish that it didn't involve a drink himself, but unless he mentions it first, or your DH does to him, be concerned quietly.

I think it's really nice that you care about your FIL - particularly if he lives alone.

Showmepotato love your user name! You always make me feel hungry!

A liver function test is routine, often, and shows damage. It's usually one of the first things they check as liver shows general health.

I had an unrelated MRI recently, that also showed I had (amazingly) a perfect liver! After a long career of too much wine (admittedly I had had a year off though)

I think as Dan says, it really isn't any of your business, he's a fully mature man who can make decisions about his health.

You say he doesn't seem drunk so it would appear his drinking, even if on the high side, is not having vastly negative consequences, other than possibly those he's fully aware of.

I wonder why you ask? Were you planning to sit him down for a little chat about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption?

I imagine that would go down well.

FWIW, my own father has always been at least a bottle of wine a night man.

He is an extremely genial drunk, had a brilliantly successful career and now spends his retirement either climbing around the world, writing or engaged in the academic discipline he spent his working life in.

He has also just taken up hand-standing as an adjunct to his yoga.

I think he's fine, and I won't be bringing up his alcohol consumption in conversation and time soon other than to ask him if he fancies going for a pint.

Some people do have a very high tolerance for alcohol. My dad when he was younger (before he got all health conscious) could drink a fair bit and not be at all drunk. My mum otoh gets tipsy on a half glass of wine. Genes are a factor.
Tbh, as a dil and not a dd, I would stay well out of this. He isn't stupid - he knows what he drinks and it really is his business. I wouldn't appreciate a dil telling me what to do with my life. If his son is concerned, thrn that's a different matter.
He isn't driving or causing you any issues as a result of it so I think interfearing will only cause you unnecessary aggro.