Talk To Me: My brother will not cut back on alcohol despite heart condition

Psychologist Caroline Martin is here to answer your questions on whatever issues you are dealing with in life, from work pressure and stress to loneliness and grief

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My brother and I have always been close. He’s in his late 50s and recently told me he has a heart condition. He will be on medication for the rest of his life. He is improving his health by exercising regularly and cutting back on high-fat foods. However, his alcohol intake has not decreased. I’ve told him about the health warnings but he refuses to listen. It’s heartbreaking to see him ignore the scientific evidence. I’m not sure what else I can do.

It can be exasperating when the people we love don’t behave in a way we feel they should. This is one of the big struggles for parents of teenagers who predictably exert their newfound sense of autonomy, often rebelling against rules there to safeguard them.