Is one bottle of wine and some whiskey a lot?

ChooChooCho · 2021-01-26T09:13:04+00:00

Over 2 nights? Not a drinker myself but a carer for a family member who has always enjoyed one glass a night. Visiting this morning and they've definitely drank a whole bottle of wine and a third of a 1 liter bottle of whiskey, Over the the past two nights. Over reacting to alert their main health professional, who has previously offered alcohol support if needed? Yabu - not a huge amount, it's okay. Yanbu - can't hurt to mention it.

contrmary · 26/01/2021 09:16

That sounds like a reasonable amount to be drinking. It's quite easy to get through a bottle of wine a night and a little bit of whisky is fine, so if you're saying they have half a bottle of wine and 150ml of whisky per day that's nothing to worry about really.

150ml of whisky is not really any different to having a gin and tonic. (Mixing it the proper way 1:1 and using a 150ml can of tonic.) It's just whisky seems like a "harder" drink when really it's not.

Nopreservatives · 26/01/2021 09:18

It's a lot regularly, not too bad once in a while IMO. For someone who needs a carer, in current circumstances, wholly understandable IMO, although I know others will disagree.

DH is currently in hospital on a cocktail of drugs, witha miserable prognosis, hoping to come home in the next few days. Neither of us are big drinkers, haven't touched a drop since NYE, but it's the fact that he's been told he can still have a drink with these drugs that's keeping him going atm and that's fine.

Original poster

ChooChooCho · 26/01/2021 09:18

Ah that's reassuring thank you, I'm useless on the alcohol front and was a just bit surprised to see the empty bottle!

OP posts:

SchrodingersImmigrant · 26/01/2021 09:19

I take it it has an effect on their condition? Otherwise, no. Unless it's a regular occurrence. By regular I mean number of times a week.

tinselearedcow · 26/01/2021 09:19

This is tricky. I don't think I would unless it becoms clear that they are drinking these amounts on a regular basis. Lots of people are drinking more than they would normally at the moment. Have they had problems with alcohol in the past?

Curiosity101 · 26/01/2021 09:20

A bottle of wine can range from 9-11 units on average.

330ml of standard 40% whisky is around 13 units

It's quite a lot for two nights but if it was a one off I probably wouldn't give it any real thought.

Nopreservatives · 26/01/2021 09:22

It is too much if they've previously had alcohol issues though.

passthemustard · 26/01/2021 09:22

I mean it's probably not healthy to be drinking that every single day but it's not exactly 'getting black out drunk' amounts and seems quite tame for an 'alcoholic' if that's what your hinting at.

IamTomHanks · 26/01/2021 09:22

Get ready for the 1 glass of wine a week is too much crowd OP, but in reality, given the circumstances and if this isn't a 2 or 3 times a week every week thing, or impacts on their condition, it's ok.

Bagelsandbrie · 26/01/2021 09:24

If they’ve been offered alcohol help before I’m guessing there’s a bit of a backstory? If they have alcohol issues and this isn’t a one off then yes it’s too much. Any alcohol is too much for someone with issues - from my own personal experience.

Original poster

ChooChooCho · 26/01/2021 09:26

Usually he drinks a glass at least 5 days a week. Which is a lot to me, but as a non drinker my opinion isn't the most accurate. With the circumstances I don't want them to spiral, it's an isolating time. But I'll keep an eye on it and see if it's just a one off.

OP posts:

nauticant · 26/01/2021 09:26

In total it's equivalent to maybe a bottle and a half of wine a night. That's a lot but if it's an occasional thing it's not a disaster. But I would keep an eye open myself.

movingonup20 · 26/01/2021 09:27

It's about the amount that many get though at the moment! Half a bottle of wine and three double whiskeys is quite a lot of alcohol but unless it's daily, won't be a problem. Dp often will drink 3/4 bottle of wine (I'll have a glass that's about 1/4 bottle but not have any more) and we will have had a large gin already. There's nothing happening at the moment due to covid!

Oysterbabe · 26/01/2021 09:29

I think it's OK if not every day.

JudgeRindersMinder · 26/01/2021 09:30

150ml whisky is 6 units, and a bottle of wine is 10 units. So 16 units over a couple of days is way over the recommended “healthy” amount

RainingBatsAndFrogs · 26/01/2021 09:33

Half a bottle of wine: not uncommon. DH and I used to share a bottle every evening. (Have cut right back now)
A third of a litre of whisky on top sounds like a LOT.

StrawberryPi · 26/01/2021 09:33

@contrmary

That sounds like a reasonable amount to be drinking. It's quite easy to get through a bottle of wine a night and a little bit of whisky is fine, so if you're saying they have half a bottle of wine and 150ml of whisky per day that's nothing to worry about really.

150ml of whisky is not really any different to having a gin and tonic. (Mixing it the proper way 1:1 and using a 150ml can of tonic.) It's just whisky seems like a "harder" drink when really it's not.

It is not normal to drink 150ml of spirit in one drink! That's six units! Can you imagine going into a pub and ordering a "sextuple gin, please"!?

TheVanguardSix · 26/01/2021 09:36

That's a week's worth of units in one sitting.
OP, that's not at all good.
I'm sorry to be the lone wolf here, ruining the party, but that is a worrying amount of alcohol to consume.

MissBaskinIfYoureNasty · 26/01/2021 09:36

I'd be on the floor but I don't drink so 🤷 I guess if they can handle it its okay.

Throughhistory · 26/01/2021 09:37

@contrmary

That sounds like a reasonable amount to be drinking. It's quite easy to get through a bottle of wine a night and a little bit of whisky is fine, so if you're saying they have half a bottle of wine and 150ml of whisky per day that's nothing to worry about really.

150ml of whisky is not really any different to having a gin and tonic. (Mixing it the proper way 1:1 and using a 150ml can of tonic.) It's just whisky seems like a "harder" drink when really it's not.

I wouldn't call 6 whiskies 'a little bit', nor would I think around 15 units a day is nothing to worry about. As for 6 measures of gin in a G & T, who on earth drinks that many in one glass

I think it would be worth a mention OP, but I wouldn't expect any change to their drinking if it's at such a high level, unless they really want to change their habits. That's problem drinking undoubtedly.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 26/01/2021 09:38

It's not worrying when it's once in a while, not regular and close together occurrence.
Or if there is a history of alcohol abuse.

TheVanguardSix · 26/01/2021 09:39

Forgive me... over two nights. I read it as 'in one night' for some reason.
Still, I stand by my words. That's too much booze. I think a glass of wine a day is too much. People will shoot me down for saying that. But in all honesty, if a person can't not drink a glass every night, they have a problem. If a person seriously cannot go one evening without their 'tipple', that needs attention. Because in almost every case, they have the nightly tipple, but then, instead of having a night off, they have a night of heavy drinking on top of the regular drinking. That's too much work for the liver.

thepeopleversuswork · 26/01/2021 09:42

Totally depends on the frequency tbh. If its a one-off its fine. If its happening on a daily basis its a problem.

Thewiseoneincognito · 26/01/2021 09:51

It screams depression to me. To drink that much alone. Daily drinking is bad enough at one or two glasses, this is clearly a few steps on.

Iggly · 26/01/2021 09:53

Alcohol is a poison ultimately and does nothing for you. The more you drink, the worse it is.

However to drink alcohol is a choice and it’s very very difficult to tell someone that you judge their intake to be excessive or you’re worried. I’m sure they know deep down.

I would check they’re ok generally in themselves and provide a listening ear. Best you can do really.