Harmful in what way. I think we all know over use of alcohol causes problems over time. Cirrhosis of the Liver is the main problem. Brain cells die so Dementia can be alcohol related.
I don't see any problem if its a glass of wine, beer or some whiskey though. But you do need to not drink with certain medications.
This is a very broad question. I can have a drink once in a while and it does not pose a problem. However if I were to have 4, 5, 6 drinks I would not be able to function to the best of my ability. I know someone though that can drink a half a case of beer then later have several large mixed drinks and they are still functioning. A friend of mine can not have even 1 drink as her body can not process it. Your body does build a tolerance. If the drinking interferes with judgement, day to day activities, effects relationships, your health, your job then yes it is harmful. Alcohol is a depressant. It should be considered a drug. If medications are being taken there are some medications (both prescription and over the counter) that should not be taken if you drink alcohol. Ask the pharmacist and or look for "black box warning" on the medication.
My parents ramped up their drinking after I moved out (they were middle aged) stating it was due to stress & trouble sleeping. I thought they were drinking a lot but they were functional.
Fast forward to retirement...5 pm became 3 pm became Noon became 7 am. Needless to say the retirement they had worked & saved for became a dreary slog. Again, they were keeping themselves together (other than arguing constantly and starting to keep a weird schedule) but I kept my nose out of it.
In 2009, my dad was 71, and I got a call from my mom that he had had a stroke and could not stand up. Well, docs basically said he was sloshed and, doc's exact words were "you are pickling your liver". She clearly explained to him that he could no longer continue to drink the same amount as he did when he was in his 40s, 50s or 60s.
Mom refused to quit her drinking, so they see-sawed for years, on & off the wagon but never at the same time. Combine this with prescription drugs that DON'T mix with alcohol, and we were into falls, cognitive issues, 911 calls, ambulances, ER visits, skilled nursing stints, alcohol rehab facilities, you name it, we did it all before my parents were 80.
Dad ended up dying in a memory care facility. I continue to struggle with mom who is not even 80 yet but cannot live independently and is burning through her money right now while I have her "contained" (for my own well-being) in assisted living. They have dried her out, propped her up, and now she thinks she can live independently again, but I know what a burden that is going to be on me (age 54 and still working 50-60 hours a week).
Yes: alcohol is harmful, especially combined with aging, prescription drugs.
Since we are not medical professionals on this forum and we do not know the person’s mental and/or physical history, it is entirely inappropriate for anyone to advice you regarding your question. It should be referred to the person’s primary physician (period,)
Kenny, poison depends on the dose. That’s how we have all survived the nasties we live with, both now and in the past. If your wife likes a night-cap, and it helps her to enjoy the evening and go to sleep easily, it’s all good. If she gets raging drunk and attacks you, plus has a bad night’s sleep and a hangover in the morning, it would be good to cut it out or at least down.
There may be medical issues that are more important, but if she is OK, then yes she’s OK!
I don't see any problem if its a glass of wine, beer or some whiskey though. But you do need to not drink with certain medications.
I can have a drink once in a while and it does not pose a problem. However if I were to have 4, 5, 6 drinks I would not be able to function to the best of my ability.
I know someone though that can drink a half a case of beer then later have several large mixed drinks and they are still functioning.
A friend of mine can not have even 1 drink as her body can not process it.
Your body does build a tolerance.
If the drinking interferes with judgement, day to day activities, effects relationships, your health, your job then yes it is harmful.
Alcohol is a depressant. It should be considered a drug. If medications are being taken there are some medications (both prescription and over the counter) that should not be taken if you drink alcohol. Ask the pharmacist and or look for "black box warning" on the medication.
Fast forward to retirement...5 pm became 3 pm became Noon became 7 am. Needless to say the retirement they had worked & saved for became a dreary slog. Again, they were keeping themselves together (other than arguing constantly and starting to keep a weird schedule) but I kept my nose out of it.
In 2009, my dad was 71, and I got a call from my mom that he had had a stroke and could not stand up. Well, docs basically said he was sloshed and, doc's exact words were "you are pickling your liver". She clearly explained to him that he could no longer continue to drink the same amount as he did when he was in his 40s, 50s or 60s.
Mom refused to quit her drinking, so they see-sawed for years, on & off the wagon but never at the same time. Combine this with prescription drugs that DON'T mix with alcohol, and we were into falls, cognitive issues, 911 calls, ambulances, ER visits, skilled nursing stints, alcohol rehab facilities, you name it, we did it all before my parents were 80.
Dad ended up dying in a memory care facility. I continue to struggle with mom who is not even 80 yet but cannot live independently and is burning through her money right now while I have her "contained" (for my own well-being) in assisted living. They have dried her out, propped her up, and now she thinks she can live independently again, but I know what a burden that is going to be on me (age 54 and still working 50-60 hours a week).
Yes: alcohol is harmful, especially combined with aging, prescription drugs.
There may be medical issues that are more important, but if she is OK, then yes she’s OK!