Do I have a problem?

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

I drink 2 or 3 beers when I get in from work every night, I look forward to it because it relaxes me. I never continue drinking after dinner but I have got into this routine and am worried if this actually counts as a drinking problem because I do it every night?

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

I could go without it but I actually look forward to it and enjoy it so would rather have it. I like that muzzy relaxing feeling it gives me. I'm an oncology nurse and have a very stressful job (which is no excuse) but it does help me unwind. However, am fully aware of how bad it is for my health to be regularly exceeding my alcohol limits

[DonkeyOaty]

What about weekends, or the weeknights you're not rota'd on?

[ImperialBlether]

16 units what? Over a week?

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

I don't tend to drink much more at the weekend, so it's consistently a couple of beers every evening. However on occasions when I go out at the weekend I'd have a bottle of wine instead of beers so then I would really be going over my units for the week!

Imperial - yes, 16 units a week at least

[Dozer]

It's problematic IMO that you use it so frequently, for stress relief, have few alcohol free nights and also binge drink.

[Wolfiefan]

Can you have one or two night where you exercise instead? Much better for stress.

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

Dozer - I know, this is what worries me

Wolfie - I need to find something to do! Think I need to set myself the aim of having at least 3 alcohol free nights and see how I go.
Already had a beer this evening !

[Wolfiefan]

So don't start tonight!!
That sounds like a plan. You need something to look forward to after a day at work. It's just better if it is not always booze! See a friend, take a class, exercise (it's great for stress relief!) or start a hobby.

[Dangermouse80]

I like a couple of drinks every evening. Not a problem to not have any if I'm out / driving etc. Probably as unhealthy as people who sit down to a big dinner, pudding and chocolate every evening!

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

I must admit danger mouse, I do agree to an extent. its just nice to get people's opinions who don't know you and also to see how much other people drink!
Wolfie - thank you for the advice, much appreciated

[Wolfiefan]

I don't think drink is evil! I just wouldn't rely on it. I know if I drank every night it would become a habit. I don't think that makes me an alcoholic but I don't want to overdo it.
I try and avoid pudding too but I'm often not successful!

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

Ha ha.....

[PlatoTheGreat]

I would be worried about starting to use that alcohol as a crutch to unwind from work.
I would be even more worried because the job you are doing (as well as doctors) is one of the profession where alcoholism is the highest (for the reasons you are describing).

So how much of crutch is it for you? If you weren't drinking at all for a week, would it be ok? What about for a month? Would still cope with work of round be getting grumpy etc?

[Fishcake72]

I don't see that as a problem and a bottle of wine is hardly binge drinking!!!!!

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

Plato - I don't think not drinking would make me grumpy or affect my work! I don't think I'm quite that bad but I never want to get to that stage hence why I'm asking opinions - can appreciate what you're saying about it being a crutch and that that's not healthy. Thank you.

Fish cake - I must agree, didn't really see a bottle of wine as binge drinking? But I suppose that plus all the beer is a lot in one week when I do do it

[ElspethFlashman]

It'd funny but I was talking to a nurse the other day who quit her job after 15 years in A&E. I asked what made her quit after such a long time and she said "Cos I was drinking 2 or 3 beers every night just to unwind".

She's now a practice nurse in a GP surgery and the beer has stopped.

Is there a chance Oncology doesn't like you as much as you like it?

[Theydontknowweknowtheyknow]

I do think that's a lot. I hate to sound like an ad but I managed to cut down when I recorded all of my drinks in the DrinkAware app.

It enables you to cut down slowly by committing to just one less drink a day at first. It also showed me how much I was spending which shocked me.

Now I do still drink but with moderation and well below the weekly recommended amount so it really can be done. Good luck OP!

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

Elspeth - how strange! Just like me then you may be right there. I do love my job but it's very very difficult .

Theydontknow - I have actually tried one of these apps so will download the one you mentioned it and give it a try. Thank you

[PlatoTheGreat]

I did t mean not been able to do a good job. Plenty of alcoholic are functional
I meant more than work could suddenly become unbearable and hard work and just too much iyswim?

Have you tried to stop drinking fur a week or two (whilst working) and see how you feel?

[PlatoTheGreat]

Actually a similar comment than what elspeth was making

[LoadedPotatoSkin]

No, actually I'm not sure that would be the case. It's only been in last year or so that I've acquired this habit due to some home stresses on top of an already stressful job. I think work would be ok without the beer, although the evenings are just so nice and relaxing with it!

God I sound bad just by saying that

[Janey50]

You know what? I think that the government guidelines as to what constitutes a safe weekly limit are a bit odd. Also their idea as to what makes someone an alcoholic. I don't drink every day,or even every week. I frequently go 2 months in between drinks. BUT.... when I DO have a drink,I am capable of downing a whole bottle of wine over 3 hours. I then probably won't have another drink for a month or 2. But according to the GG quiz,I am a borderline alcoholic. Right.

[Dozer]

A bottle of wine in one evening is definitely a binge drink and bad for us. (Sadly!)

Overeating is a frequent thing we do too (that's my thing!) and obviously not a great stress coping strategy either! Boo.

[Numberoneisgone]

Yes unfortunately I think this is the road to problematic drinking more because you 'need' it to destress rather than just the amount.

I am like you, I find myself having these conversations with myself because I love red wine. I am not in it for the fuzzy feeling but I really enjoy how it tastes. I often have to chastise myself to hold back to one night a week from 2-3 but like a poster up thread said that one bottle I would have is a binge session.