Boyfriend drinking a lot

borninthe80s

Maybe I just need to be told to cop on and that I'm over reacting but because it's been causing friction between my boyfriend and I as of late I'd like to see what other people think:

When my boyfriend goes out drinking, pretty much the last 6 months he seems to be going out much earlier, drinking a lot and going home when everything closes. So maybe 7ish til 4a.m. He always says he'll let me know when he's home safe but two times lately he hasn't and makes up a story that his battery went and he couldn't find his charger and most recently that he forgot. We're going out nearly two years and its just something that we've always done. He knows it gives me peace of mind that he hasn't been mugged walking home or anything and likewise he knows I'm home safe.

What the real issue is and what concerns me is that he's 28 and he's drinking a lot and thinks nothing of staying in a friends house on a Friday night and going watching sport on a Saturday and going out again that night in the same clothes (has happened twice, but still worries me). He always seems to be the last one to leave a party and never really just goes for one or two, more like 10. To me this seems more like the actions of a guy in his young 20's and not a 28 year old. We've fought over it because I think he's drinking too much and he says not to worry but it's getting us nowhere.
Do I have reason for concern??

Thanks in advance!

Angus Og

If you think he's drinking too much, then yes, you have a reason to be concerned. Age has nothing to do with it. Some men like to drink, and from personal experience I know that if they like alcohol, they won't just stop because they're getting older. I'm not saying he's an alcoholic, and you don't sound unreasonable.

If you're worried about it, now is the time to do something about it. Try to have a serious discussion about it, but remember, some men will choose alcohol over their loved ones.

Ickle Magoo

You have reason for concern because you don't like it and it's damaging your relationship. You need to let him know that and give him the choice to try to curb his drinking to the limits you find more attractive in a partner or risk loosing you altogether.

Be prepared for him to get uber defensive - especially if he has got an issue with drink - and he may tell you where to go...but if it's making you unhappy, at least you'll know where you stand in his priorities.

Best of luck.