Alcoholic and death

[jedimistress]

At what approximate age would it take a heavy alcoholic drinker to die if he drank every day from the age of 16?

A rough idea of the lifespan would be great as I cannot find any kind of information about it. I know everyone is different, but is there a kind of average life expectancy for an alcholic?

[malaise]

My family knew a woman who died age 38 of massive internal organ failure due to alcoholism. She had been drinking heavily for 12 years.

She had just stopped drinking, too, and had got back together with her husband (he threw her out because she wouldn't stop drinking). She collapsed in the airport when they were off on holiday for a "second honeymoon" and only survived as far as the hospital.

[unruliejulie]

I know of 3 people who have died in their mid to late thirties of alcohol abuse. The liver becomes so damaged there is no going back.

[kazzianne]

how much is this person drinking,or are you talking generally?

[fideldyfee]

My friends sister is a nurse and she has seen a case just like this. 30.

[jedimistress]

He drinks beers / ciders. He drinks at the VERY least 5 pints a day. Weekends are spent in the pub and he is always the first in and last to leave.

[raysparx]

I know a couple of people that have taken this route to self destruction,one died when hw was about 42,he had been drinking heavily for about 10 years,the other died when he was about 50 and he had been drinking heavily for about 20 years,so I suppose a lot depends on the individual,but they definitely do shorten there lives, with no thought for the people left behind, Georgie Best a classic example of self destruction.

[kazzianne]

funnily enought we were discussing alcohol on here yesterday.Its hard to say - why do you think he is an alcoholic? Because of the amount he drinks or how he looks?

[jedimistress]

I KNOW he is an alcoholic because he is my partner. He knows too, and was dry for almost a year, but now I think he will drink until he dies. I know because of what he drinks, how he looks and how he acts.

[undercovers]

its a bit hard to say with certainty because as you say everyone is different, but according this http://www.tiscali.co.uk/lifestyle/calculators /life_expectancy.html
a heavy drinker should subtract 8 years from their lives... this obviously doesn't include those that drink so much they actually poision themselves (alcohol poisoning) as they would prob die after the massive intake at whatever age.

hope that helps - undercovers

[noxlumos]

My Great grandad was 98 having drunk himself into a stupor every night and smoked himself sick since childhood. My uncle used this example as an excuse as to why he shouldn't bother to stop drinking or smoking and died at the ripe old age of 42, the prat:)

[rescuer]

I know a man, in his late 40s, who drinks at least 4 cans of strong beer each evening and often tops it up with a large whisky. In addition he smokes at least 40 cigarettes a day (possibly nearer 60). About three years ago I told him that I would give him only 10 years at the most but so far he looks as though he will make that easily. I understand that his father also drank heavily and also smoked but lived into his late 70s. So maybe they have a stronger constitution.

He is lucky that he has not been breathalysed. There was just one occasion. It was about 8-30am and another driver crossed a double-white line and crashed into three cars. Surprisingly he passed the test.

[medsecslave]

Everyone's body reacts differently but have a close look at his skin. Does he have 'spiders' a reddish rash over his nose and cheeks, chest and back? Are his eyes yellowing and has his stomach swelled recently - more than just a beer belly? Does he vomit for no reason? All tell tales signs of severe liver damage. A blood test would be a good indication although the best test of all is a biopsy. Also, although the liver is said to heal itself, stopping drinking wouldn't cure cirrhosis, only stop it progressing. My husband had a liver transplant (not through alcohol abuse) and was very close to death. It's a horrible thing to go through and I hope you manage to make him see sense. What does he say when you talk to him about it?

[rescuer]

A very interesting answer medsecslave. However he is an Indian ( I am white) so difficult to see any red rashes. He will not listen to anyone. One of his sons is half way through a medical degree course and he thinks he knows better than his son and takes not notice of him! I have known him for about 15 years and he has always been slim with no sign of a beer belly. I think his lungs must be black and his liver must surely be affected with so much alcohol but only time will tell. One thing he does often do is sleep for 12 or more hours at a time which I think for a grown up is unusual.

.

[jedimistress]

Medecslave.

He has red spider veins on his nose and terrible red itchy, flakey blotches all over his body.

An ever so slight swelling around the stomach I think. He's quite a thin person. Not sure if it is swelling, a beginning of a beergut ot just middle age spread.

He doesn't eat much, doesn't look after himself or his house or dogs.

I cannot talk to him about it really as his replies depend on his mood and are never acted upon. Sometimes he says he will sort himself out, but later it's as if he never said that at all. I think he cares more about drink than dying. He has all the excuses under the sun to drink. "Having a good time with my mates" being the latest one. I've given up now and resigned myself to the fact he will drink until he dies.

[Katy loo]

my sister was 26 when she died an alcoholic it is not just down to your body failing, when you are drunk you do not know what you are doing. She was in and out of rehab centers and just came out and drank again she ended up been found dead and no one was able to find the cause of death we didnt even have her body at the funeral - alcholism is an illness and a lack of self control so I think to determine what the average life exectancy for an alcoholic is, is quite difficult. Some people can be heavy drinkers for years - waste of time if you ask me people know what it does to their body so if they want to drink heavy they should realise they are killing themselves and expect to die at an early age or get some help.

[medsecslave]

jedimistress, talk to him when he's sober butI think if he's really not prepared to do anything, tell him you're leaving. If he's sought help before and given up, he could surely have another go but you are entitled to a life as well you know and there are organisations like Drinkline (I think) who advise families of alcoholics also. I hope it all works out for you (and him).

[jedimistress]

Thanks medecslave,

[budsgood]

i have had two friends pass on bc of the disease.

one was 41 the other 57

i know one who is 40 now and very close with sirrosis (sp) of the liver

these ages are just wear on the body, not counting

accidental death