My Dad drinks too much, what can i do?

[laydeechaz]

I'm 19 nearly 20 and my Dad was 50 this year, and ever since i can remember he's always drunk alot of alcohol. He drinks like 8 pints every night, but he's NEVER drunk, me and my Mum put this down to his body being able to cope with the amount he drinks, but he can get cheery. He also refuse's to drink in the day and has like one on Christmas day - if that, which is good i suppose.
Thing is he goes to the pub every night and then come's home and drinks more until 3am, he just cannot get out of the habit, and because he drinks so much he gets up repeadidly in the night to go to the toilet so he doesn't get enough sleep and struggle's to get up in the mornings.
I'm not sure if he's an alcoholic?
I think he's dependent on alcohol really.
I'm really worried about his health, but thankfully he has a blood test every month to check things like his liver function because he has Arthirtis (it's unactive now though) and nothing has ever been abnormal - well not yet.
But it's not just his liver i'm worried about it's his heart too, drinking that much surely should effect his heart?
I've said to him to get checked out and seem's okay about it but because he works alot he doesn't have time and i think he'd rather brush it under the carpet. But he is worried about his heath aswell because his Mother died from a massive heart attack before i was born when she was 50, but she had serious high blood pressure problems, which my Dad doesn't have, so that always plays on his mind.
What can i do?
It's really bothering me and my Mum, i don't want anything to happen to him.
He did have an EKG years ago which was fine.
Thanks. x

[rod44]

Determining whether someone is an actual alcoholic or not is really not all that important. If someone's drinking has advanced to the point to where it has become a problem for them and those around them, then it is a problem, period. If the person has tried to quit -- swore to themselves and others "never again!" -- and simply cannot stop, then chances are they have become dependent or addicted.
Alcohol problems occur at different levels of severity, from mild and annoying to life-threatening. Although alcohol dependence (alcoholism) is the most severe problem, less severe drinking problems can also be dangerous. The term "alcoholism" refers to a disease known as alcohol dependence syndrome, the most severe stage of a range of drinking problems.
Alcoholism is called a progressive disease, meaning that over time the symptoms and effects of drinking alcohol become more intense and severe. The symptoms in the early stages differ from those during later stages as the disease progresses from binge drinking to alcohol abuse to alcohol dependence.
ROD

[laydeechaz]

I'm not sure if my Dad would go to an AA meeting or whether my Mum would go either, i don't think he has serious issue's with alcohol, he really does want to cut down but with the money issue's we have it's a bit, and like i said it's a bad habit.
Would you say he's an alcoholic?
x

[rod44]

Ya ibizan we have them over here as well lol!

I agree with ibizan get to al-anon


Or if you so chose you and  your mum could go to an open meeting of AA, here you will mete people in recovery who can advise you and help…..they are usually in your local hospital or community centre, ring your local AA phone no witch you  can get from directory inquires or in the “personals” in the local rag.

ROD

[ibizan]

do u have Al-Anon meetings in the UK?u and ur mum need to check them out!