He is a bud lite guy dad has drank since he was 14 yrs old his doc said 3 or 4 beers was fine over the last several months he has increased his intake to cut him back is a battle that is almost impossible to win as in his mind I'm still his 16 ur old son that Dont know anything is he to old to put in a in-house rehab I have to realize he dose not have his mind about him an b 4 I stepped in 2 yrs ago him an his wife (not my mother) spent every day at the gulf club of local tavern she was put in a place for lod timers what can or should I do to stop the cycle thanks. Beeker
In order to stop an addiction you have to want to stop. He might not want to stop..at this point.
Is he still driving? If not who is providing the beer?
If he is still driving you will get quite a few comments that he should not be driving. Simple facts..should not be driving while drinking, that is the obvious one. With the dementia his judgement is further impaired. And the Parkinson's also makes it a bit risky.
Have you talked to the doctors about him driving?
It is tough to remove another means of keeping his independence.
Has he been evaluated for depression? That might be the reason for his increase in drinking.
(Faster way to end your life knowing you have not 1 but 2 conditions that will lead to total decline and dependence upon others)
If the "1957" in your screen name is the year you were born, then we're the same age. Your dad must be around 82-88 yrs. old.
I had the same problem with my dad. He had a TIA (a mini stroke) and had to live in a board and care facility. He drank alcohol all of his adult life. His favorite was vodka but, in the later years, it packed too much of a punch, and he couldn't drink that in the facility, so he switched to beer. His doc knew he was an alcoholic, so he said 2-3 beers a day. Somehow that didn't happen. I found out that my ex husband would bring him beer and or take him out to buy it! He KNEW the rules but decided to break them. I wouldn't be surprised if one or two of the workers there also picked it up because he was generous with the money if you'd do him the favor.
That said, if your father is drinking 4+ beers a day, his body is used to (addicted to) the alcohol in the beer. In my opinion, it is NOT a good idea to withhold or stop giving him beer without medical supervision due to the possibility of going into withdrawal (DT's, delirium tremons, a common condition causing hallucinations and wild behavior when alcohol is stopped abruptly.) If you want to force him to quit, you MUST get his doctor to assist with withdrawal medication. I would be very nervous to try this at home. Better to place him in a detox (and beyond) program. They will be able to deal with his other medical conditions also. My dad went in in his early 80's so he could take a medication for his ulcer that couldn't be takern if you were drinking alcohol. He did great but on discharge day, he asked me to stop at the liquor store!!! That's how it is for them, their whole life revolves around booze.
Is he driving? (I hope not.) If he is, call his doctor to see if he can declare that he should no longer be driving. They send their medical order to the DMV, so his license will be suspended. At least he'll be off the road.
From what I've observed, alcoholics are going to find a way to drink, if you buy it or not. He won't be interested in stopping. Get his license taken away and put up with him having a 6 pack a day. If you buy it, ONLY buy one 6 pack a day!! Unfortunately that means a trip to the store daily but at least that will be all that is available. Been there, done that, good luck.
I must ask if you or your girlfriend have any addictive behaviors that you could have inherited.
You may not want to put him in a facility but it may be getting close to the time if you are both out all day working. He really is not safe to be left alone all day. Try and think about the future. if he is still reasonably healthy and safe enough at home just let him have his beer, he has little else left in life.
Angel