Mailbox Response

The question was submitted 24/07/2007

Subject: Alcohol

Dear Panel,
My wife who has progressive aphasia is slowly increasing her intake of wine each day though she is not an alcoholic. On average she drinks 5-6 glasses a day though sometimes, my son and I manage to water it down.
Have you any suggestions as to how we can better control the situation?

Answer from DementiaNet

Primary progressive aphasia is one of the subtypes of fronto-temporal dementia. Too much alcohol is not good for any of the dementias and it is quite important that you keep your wife’s intake of alcohol to two standard drinks a day where possible. This allows her brain to work as well as it can under the circumstances.

Is there a particular reason why your wife is drinking increasing amounts of wine? Does she have insight into her dementia and its progressive nature, and is this making her depressed? If depression is an issue then medication should be considered.

If she is drinking at a particular time of the day, then providing some distraction at that time may draw her attention away from drinking. Going for a walk, or a drive, or to the shopping centre could be considered. Providing an alcohol substitute such as lemon, lime and bitters may also reduce her alcohol intake. Adding mineral water to her wine (as you have tried) will also reduce her overall intake. If it is the social activity of drinking that is important to your wife, then having a cup of tea, make be appropriate. There are a number of herbal teas available that taste different. Simply not having any alcohol in the house is another way to manage the problem but if your wife derives enjoyment from a glass of wine, then it is pretty tough to deny her this pleasure. What is important is to limit the number of glasses.

The answer was published on DementiaNet 27/07/2007