My Mother in law is an Alcoholic Who has Stopped Drinking Spirits - But Continues to Drink Lager

My mother in law has admitted she is an alcoholic and has stopped drinking spirits, she now drinks between 4-8 cans of lager a day she says this helps her but is she just substituting one for the other?

Answer

Yes, that is exactly what she's doing. She's at the point she's trying to rationalise that she can control her drinking by only drinking lager.

But that doesn't work because even if she manages to stick with the lager, she'll just end up drinking more of it and continuing with her alcoholic ways.

The only way for an alcoholic to return to true health, peace of mind and happiness is abstinence. And then working at oneself to change and replace destructive mental and emotional patterns - with healthy and life affirming one's.

Sounds like she needs help, so try and encourage her to get it. No shame in that. If you and the family encourage/support her to get proper help, maybe she'll be willing to do so?

Best of Luck