My landlord has diabetes-- and has recently been in remission for cancer, an early stage of both though. He asked my advice about low carb diets since I had recently switched to the Atkin's diet. (I'm doing well, by the way, feeling good and loosing weight finally).

We got into an argument about his drinking. He drinks at least 10 oz of vodka per night to put himself to sleep. He says he's done this for at least 50 years-- It makes me wonder where the cancer and diabetes came from. He's also constantly whining about why women do not stay with him (he's a drunk is a good answer)-- and last but not least, he has a huge ego and considers himself the smartest man alive-- even though I put him at "average intellegence" like most people here, who are smart but not Einstein.

I said that according to Atkins, low carbers-- if they are doing well, might have a small glass of wine, or a Michalobe ultra with a meal -- OCASIONALLY-- Maybe on Saturday, but not every day. He read the book by Fran McCulloch "Living Low Carb." Pgs 27-28 talk about alcohol, and how drinking a few glasses of wine a day are not all that bad. Unfortunately, I have also heard that the studies that prove this are still very doubtful-- I also told him that he has diabetes and alcohol is a sugar. He is totally addicted to it He falls and hits his head, and sleeps on the floor. A few nights ago the police were pounding on the door and I got up and went through hie apartment to answer it. He didn't hear, and if it had been a fire, he might have died. I hate to say this, because it is just common sense--

So, is there a definative answer to whether or not Drinking in Excess is not allowed by Low Carbers. Although it is common sense, he will only listen to it if some expert says it (which is what brilliant people do according to him).

Sorry to be so negative, but I am totally angry about his drinking in the first place. When I rented my place, I did not know he was a blazing Alcoholic, and as a child and survivor of alcoholics, I refused to take up quarters with any such people again. He totally behaves like an alcoholic, and has a cruel streak just toward me, it seems. I can't wait until my money situation gets a bit better then I will move away.

I agree that moderate drinking is not a terrible thing. I just don't like drinking like this. He "thinks" no one notices, but everyone does.

Thanks for any replies and sorry for the personal rant.

10 oz of hard liquor on a daily basis is by no means a "few drinks."

Most low-carb plans view alcohol as a carbohydrate - because it can act like one on blood sugar. Some give a specific limit, others just leave it at "moderation" or "occasional" use (which is apt to be misinterpreted by an alcoholic as how ever much they are drinking - "too much" is always at least one drink more than they have).


I've never read a single study that recommended more than 2 glasses of wine for men or 1 glass of wine for women - and that's a 3 to 4 ounce glass of wine at about 12% alcohol - not 3 to 4 ounces of 80 -100 proof (40 to 50% alcohol) hard liquor such as vodka.

The problem of course is that anyone who DOES consider 10 oz of vodka "moderate drinking" isn't going to believe a single word to the contrary. For that matter, they're not likely to listen to reason on ANY topic.


He is not going to listen to even the ghost of Atkins himself, so I wouldn't bother trying to talk to him on the subject. He's never going to admit that he is drinking in excess or that he doesn't know what he's talking about (probably on any subject).

Don't waste your time.

10 oz of vodka a NIGHT?! *faint*

There is a BIG difference between drinking wine (red they say is good for you in small amounts) and vodka.

He sounds like one of those people who just won't change but wants to look like he's interested. I wouldn't even waste my time arguing- I'd just say "well whatever, I'm telling you it's this way, it's up to you to really dedicate yourself or not."

My uncle has had diabetes FOREVER- is now blind from it, had a foot amputated cuz of it, and so on. Yet still doesn't take care of himself!

dont waste your time even trying to deal with that drunk or any other one for that matter, its so not worth your effort

I can only imagine that you pursuing the topic with him will only make this cruel streak worse, worse, and worse.

In any event, no alcoholic is going to quit because you provide *proof.* It's pointless to try.

As someone too who has had alcoholic family members, I would say just let it go.

He's being doing this for 50 years, you won't change his mind.

You can simply give him the info and let him verify it if he's so doubting.

Strictly speaking, vodka has no carbs, but it will be burned before any body fat for energy... so it delays weight loss.

"Moderate" drinking, which is ok on Atkins after the first 2 weeks of Induction, has been defined by some as:

• Abstainer: drinks less than 0.01 fl oz alcohol per day (i.e., fewer than 12 drinks in the past year)
• Light drinker: drinks 0.01 to 0.21 fl oz alcohol per day (i.e., 1 to 13 drinks per month)
• Moderate drinker: drinks 0.22 to 1.00 fl oz alcohol per day (i.e., 4 to 14 drinks per week)
• Heavier drinker: drinks more than 1.00 fl oz alcohol per day (i.e., more than 2 drinks per day).

A "drink" of vodka is 1.5 oz. So he is having about 6+ drinks a day, or 47 drinks a week. Wow.

Another source says his level of drinking is way past Moderate / past Heavy and into Hazardous.

Anyone drinking at that level is an alcoholic, period. I am really kind of surprised he is still alive.

Yes-- I did not exaggerate about the 10 ounces because I could not picture it, and he told me it was slightly less than a 12 oz. can of cola. I agree that there is not much I could specifically do. He dosen't seem to respect his body much, & knowing him has made me all the more interested in respecting myself more-- I guess that is my NY's resolution.

Oh, and I am adding, that as a former child of an Alcoholic, I really do feel that he belittles me because of the alcohol and is probably not aware of it. I made the mistake of letting him see some paintings and also some writing, and he went out of his way to tell me how awful it was. I felt truly pitiful, becasue I felt it was decent, or rather good. Now, I understand that he just needs someone to mentally abuse so he feels "smarter." Thank you all for your answers.

If he hates himself enough to drink that much, his judgment of others is likely to be poisoned.

I've shown art to people and regretted it too, but I suggest asking people you respect for their opinions... Then you'll hear the truth, positive or negative, and probably some constructive criticism, if needed

giselley,

I've been married to an alcoholic for over 25 years and I left over 4 years ago because I finally gave up.....not to mention his rages and threats, when drunk, made me leave for my own safety. He is also an insulin-dependent diabetic, cannot control his weight at this point, and also has an enlarged heart and hypertension. But I gave up....I could not fix him...and it was not for lack of trying.

At this point, your landlord's diet is the least of his problems and he's exhibiting being in denial by even focusing on that. He needs to go to rehab...alcohol withdrawal has a risk of seizures and thus should be medically-monitored...phenobarbital is often used for this. Alcoholism is his major problem here and his diet and his carbs are just red herrings at this point.

And please don't feel in any way responsible for this. You can't fix him...only he can do that.

deena