Should my elderly disabled mom drink alcohol?

[Anonymous]

My mom is 65 and disabled. She suffers from RA and it is severe. I am here living with my mom. My mom takes strong pain killers prescribed by the doctor and meds for her RA which she should not be drinking alcohol. My mom loves to drink she said it helps with her pain. She drank all her life though. Anyways, my mom is friends with this Jehovah Witness lady. They do Bible Studies together. I am not too fond of that woman. One day I was running an errand to town, that same Jehovah Witness lady came to my mom's and dropped her off some beer. This lady knows my mom is only pain meds and other meds for her RA and has issues maintaining her balance yet she bring my mom beer to drink. This same lady took my mom to have surgery done on her knee. I say something to my mom and she curse me out. I am through with it. She can do what she want I am tired of arguing with her and getting cursed out.

[Oliverlogan263]

Yikes, that's a really tough situation with your mom and her Jehovah's Witness friend. It sounds like your mom is dealing with a lot of health issues and pain, which I totally understand makes her want to turn to alcohol for relief. But with the other medications she's on, that's a really dangerous mix that could end up making things a lot worse.

The fact that her friend is still bringing her beer, even knowing about the medications and balance issues, is just incredibly irresponsible and concerning. That lady should absolutely not be enabling your mom's drinking, especially when it could be putting her health at serious risk.

I can see why you're so frustrated and tired of arguing about it. Getting cursed out for trying to help is the worst. At the end of the day, your mom is an adult and can make her own choices, even if they're risky and unwise.

But as her daughter, you also have a responsibility to look out for her wellbeing. I'd really encourage you to have another calm, caring conversation with her about the dangers of mixing alcohol and her medications. Explain that you're worried for her safety and health, and you don't want to see her get hurt or end up in the hospital.

Maybe see if you can get her doctor involved too, so they can reinforce the medical advice. And if her Jehovah's Witness friend keeps bringing her booze, you may want to consider confronting that lady directly and making it clear she's putting your mom at risk.

Ultimately, you can't force your mom to stop drinking if she's dead-set on it. But you can continue to be the voice of reason and concern. Hopefully, with time and patience, you can get through to her. In the meantime, try to focus on the other ways you can support and care for her, even if you can't control this one behavior.

I know it's super frustrating, but don't give up. Your mom needs you, even if she's not making the best choices right now. Sending you lots of strength, girl. You got this!

[Adel50]

No. Alcohol isn't good for anyone, young and old, healthy and disabled.

[jahaims]

No one should drink it. It's literally poison lol

[Anonymous]

I'd say not but aren't the JWs anti-alcohol