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Original poster

alcohol tolerance - is my DP a freak of nature?

45 replies

sandy4 · 05/07/2008 09:47

No matter how much my DP drinks, it doesn't seem to have any effect. He drinks at least a bottle of red wine & a couple of glasses of spirits daily (I think that works out on average 80 units a week).

I have a very low tolerance to alcohol, so don't often drink. (so maybe being a bit anal).

He had a health check last year & his liver is OK. he doesn't see the point in having alcohol free days as its something he enjoys. But he is very irritable until he has a drink and because he handles drink so well he thinks it's OK to drive after 3 large glasses of wine.

Do you think he has a problem or is it me?

OP posts:
bogie · 05/07/2008 09:49

He sounds like an addict to me if he never has a day offf and gets irritable with out a drink.
His liver might be fine now but he is damaging himself.

RBH · 05/07/2008 09:50

Well he is being an arse by drink driving and, even if it doesn't affect him obviously, tests have shown that alcohol definitely alters reaction times.

stellawasadiver · 05/07/2008 09:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TsarChasm · 05/07/2008 09:52

He has a problem and a very big one if he drives too having drunk that amount.

He has built up a tolerance but that doesn't mean he's safe to drive. How can anyone nowadays not know how dangerous that is?

SoupDragon · 05/07/2008 09:52

"he is very irritable until he has a drink"

He has a problem.

SpacePuppy · 05/07/2008 09:53

until he kills someone while driving or loose his license...

Wisteria · 05/07/2008 09:53

I think some people do have a freaky tolerance - my Dad has and so do I.
We did breathalyser tests a few years ago and were all still under the limit when we should have been over (but I don't drink and drive anyway, just in case as that is plain stupid to be honest and so is he for doing it).

As for his liver etc - well sometimes it catches up so yes, if he is irritable without a drink then he possibly has a problem.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 05/07/2008 09:54

I think he has a problem. Not least because he's driving after 3 large glasses of wine (that's probably near on a whole bottle) It not seemimg to have an effect isn't good enough.

Also he's irritable until he's had a drink which to me indicates a degree of physical addiction.

I do recognise however that I'm a bit anal too as I'm a reformed binge drinker and tend to notice what other people consume.

SoupDragon · 05/07/2008 09:55

"he thinks it's OK to drive after 3 large glasses of wine."

He not only has a problem but is also a tw*t.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 05/07/2008 09:55

Yes SD - I'd agree with that.

paddingtonbear1 · 05/07/2008 09:55

It sounds like he's dependent on it, tbh. His liver may not be damaged yet but there's a high chance of it in the future if he doesn't cut down.

Sparkletastic · 05/07/2008 09:56

High tolerance = alcoholic

in my experience - have 2 alcoholic friends....

Wisteria · 05/07/2008 09:56

I'm not sparkle.

noddyholder · 05/07/2008 09:58

If it has no effect why does he do it?He would be a lot healthier if he didn't drink this amount but it is highly likely there is more to it

Desiderata · 05/07/2008 09:58

High tolerance = alcoholic. That's a myth!

My mum was dead from alcolism by the age of 45. By the time her liver had become damaged, she would get drunk within seconds of taking a swig.

noddyholder · 05/07/2008 09:59

Agree with desiderata that tolerance is irrelevant in alcoholism.

Sparkletastic · 05/07/2008 10:00

Well Wisteria I can drink a lot and not be falling over and incoherent BUT I don't do this daily and don't NEED to do it. My 2 alco friends, like sandy4's DH, drink steadily, every day, usually don't appear drunk, but are foul tempered or non-functioning without it.

Sparkletastic · 05/07/2008 10:01

Desi - are you saying your mother only ever drank a small amount?

Wisteria · 05/07/2008 10:02

Sparkle - you said high tolerance = alcoholic.

I am merely pointing out that that just isn't the case. I am far from an alcoholic but have the ability to drink a ridiculous amount without getting drunk, incoherent or wobbly - as can my Dad and both brothers.

IAmNotHere · 05/07/2008 10:02

He is an alcoholic.
I expect he lied to you about the results of his liver test.

TsarChasm · 05/07/2008 10:02

The driving aspect of this is the most alarming. The point at which this man gets into the car to drive whilst over the limit becomes everyone's problem not just his.

Wisteria · 05/07/2008 10:03

Iamnothere - you can't possibly diagnose that, ridiculous.....

Desiderata · 05/07/2008 10:03

I have no idea the exact amount she was consuming at the time of her death, because I wasn't living with her then.

I do remember going to visit her in London just before she died, and for the first time in years, she was actually sober.

She then went to the toilet, came back two minutes later, and could barely stand. She stank of vodka.

That was her tipple, and I'd say she'd been drinking a bottle or more a day since her early thirties.

brimfull · 05/07/2008 10:04

Is he huge?

Sparkletastic · 05/07/2008 10:04

Okay I was making my point too briefly. But to be even more to the point, he is an alcoholic.