I think it is a reaction to try and numb what she knows is happening - just a thought

My mother drinks beers all afternoon every day now. She never touched alcohol accept for a glass or two of wine. When she drinks, she gets very nasty towards my father. She's even turning on me if I don't offer her a beer. She's says I'm judging her. I'm not sure how to stop this behavior as I know it's so bad for her with her condition, plus the meds. Any ideas?

@A myALZteam Member hard work ahead for you. It just aggravates her illness. You need to start weaning her off it. Yes easier said than done. I managed to do it (recovering alcoholic who started again after diagnosis). Persistence .....

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A myALZte...

My husband did this. He claimed gin and tonics helped relieve muscle cramps. He finally could not remember how to mix them. He drank a lot of blackberry brandy in his coffee all day. He was gaining weight and I finally convinced him that the calories were contributing to that. I quit purchasing the brandy and he hasn't mentioned it in quite a while. I know it helps numb the feelings they have, but it also adds to confusion. Wish I had an answer for you.

My father's drinking has increased since Alzheimer's. But it seems to sooth and calm him. The doctor says he has a healthy liver for a man that has been drinking sine 17. He never drinks the hard stuff. Mom,s opinion is she is tired of his request for two bottles a day. He has been doing that for years and has never been an irresponsible drinker. He is 84 and the only problem is that he forgets how much he drank. Our Hispanic culture has always included a drink at the table. My mom wished the doctor told him that drinking was bad for him. But, doc did not.

Mom has watered down his wine, she has changed the clock so that he will start his drinking later so that he won't drink so long. He won't die due to alcoholism before he dies of Alzheimer's. His personality change is not the cause of the alcohol. It's the Alzheimer's and what it's robbing from what little he has left to enjoy.