JulieKay, no doubt the rest of this journey will have a good many challanges for both of you. I hope the Hospice folks will continue to be very honest with you. As to your question about alcohol consumption making higher doses of pain meds necessary- my "non medical" opinion is NO. The CANCER is making higher doses of pain meds necessary- don't let anyone lose track of what is happening to his body! When it came down to the final weeks, John and I had a very honest and difficult talk about pain virsus suffering and I agreed to insist on the maximum dose of morphine to stop his pain,even tho it seperated us from him mentally and emotionally. And his Docs and Hospice nurses agreed with the program. Don't let him suffer but be aware that you may have to be the judge of when the time is right for stronger meds. In our case, we had a morphine pump that John could self-administer until he got too weak and confused to do it and then either the nurse or I could push the button for him.[and there were times when we overrode the system on the pump] Please know that many caregivers here know what you are dealing with and we have an arm around your shoulder and are sending you strenght and love. Amy in the Ozarks