So happy to find this group! We're dealing with my alcoholic in-laws
(early 70s). They drink about 5 litres of whiskey weekly between the
two of them - one doesn't drink more than the other, pretty much neck
and neck. They have both drank their entire adult lives, since
retirement about 6 years ago it's just got worse - drinking starts at
noon now. Ok, my mother-in-law had an abnormal cscan back in March -
emergency dr. said she most likely has alcohol induced dementia.
They were both hospitalized with dts - went home started drinking
again. He was hospitalized again beginning of August, upon his
release they went to a very nice residential care facility, we hoped
they'd stay - the dr even prescribed wine for them so she wouldn't
end up with dts again. But she is so irrational makes life a living
hell and complained vehemently, so they moved back home a couple of
days ago. At 7:30 that same evening when we went over, they were
passed out on the sofa after drinking a third a 1.3 litre bottle of
whiskey - by the next morning when I went over it was half empty.

My mother-in-law exhibits all the symptoms of this syndrome. Her
short term memory is shot (she only remembers when she's mad about
something) She can't be left alone - it's not safe. She knows her
ssn, but not her phone number, address etc..., shuffles, can't even
move her legs when drunk, also has problems when it getys later in
the day and she hasn't had a drink. She totally does the confabultion
thing. We have no proper medical care for her, because she changes
doctors if she doesn't like them - which is as soon as they mention
alcohol. She will not stop drinking and is so mean to people if she
doesn't get her way she is impossible to deal with. My father-in-law
just puts up with her, does pretty much whatever she tells him, and
drinks with her - at least his mind isn't gone yet.

From what I've read about Wernicke Korsakoff Syndrome, the only help
is early on with a complete cessation of drinking. It's not going to
happen here. There doesn't seem to be anything we can do, other than
try to make sure they eat (we live about a mile from them). I guess
I'm just here for support, unless someone can offer a miracle.

Any info, advice would be appreciated.