regular poster bit worried

[drinktoomuch]

Hi. I wonder if anyone has a similar problem. I'm a bit worried a drink too much. I usually have two thirds of a bottle of wine a night (more than that if I go out). I know that isn't that excessive but I find it very hard to have a night free of alcohol. I also compulsively eat too and can't seem to get out of the binge cycle.

[YeahBut]

It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks, dtm. I get the impression that YOU think you drink too much and that you may need to do something about it. Listen to yourself. Perhaps a chat with your GP would be helpful? Take care of yourself.

[drinktoomuch]

thanks for that - thought this was going to drop into obscurity. What do you think a gp could do aaprt from tell me to get a life? Will they be nice to me?

[Fio2]

I drink too much too. I have ordered that book by the bloke who founded alcoholics anonymous, not that i think i am an alchy but I think it will inspire me to have a healthier attitude towards drinking iykwim

cant believe I have just admitted that

[drinktoomuch]

fio - you are much braver than me, posting under your real name. Respect girl How much do you drink (or is that a bloddy cheeky question?)

[Caligula]

Actually, I think it is excessive.

That's not a moral judgement, just a statement of fact. 2/3 of bottle of wine is approximately 5 units - possibly 4 if we're being generous. Healthy guidelines are no more than 3 in one sitting. If you tot up your total, it's definitely over recommended guidelines. I'm not one for guidelines as a rule, I think they can be ignored occasionally, but if you are habitually going over them and are unhappy about it, then it's obviously a problem.

Have you tried deciding to cut down? Eating different food so that alcohol doesn't complement it? Making the brave decision not to have any booze in the house so that you can't drink? Investing in non-alcoholic "treat" drinks, like Ame?

Alcohol stimulates appetite, so will exacerbate any eating binges you might go in for.

The other thing is, do you do regular exercise? Exercise is probably the single biggest natural stimulant in reducing your desire/ need for booze (and making you want to eat healthily)

Re GP, I wouldn't go to one unless you're happy for "alcohol problem" to be on your medical notes. That's why Alcoholics Anonymous was invented.

[KatyMac]

i don't think the GP will tell you to get a life - hopefully s/he will be suportive and offer some practical help

[drinktoomuch]

thanks Caligula - that's what I thought. I know i fel guilty about drinking otherwise I wouldn't have posted so I must know deep down it is a problem. The sensible side of me says go out and do something in the evenings if dh will babysit - like go for a bike ride etc. But I just lack motivation and that makes me hate myself thus turning to drink and food iyswim

[Fio2]

I can drink a bottle of wine of an evening. I jhave started trying to cut it out completely in the week, which does help a bit but I know I drink too much anyway iykwim so i am trying very hard to cut it out all together. i think it is just a basd habit. i come from a family of drinkers and it is just the way I was brought up, but I think there comes a point where you have to get things under control. i just love wine, but its a bad vice as far as i am concerned and I need to stop indulging so much. I tend to over eat aswell, esp if I have had a drink. Nightmare scenario and a hard habit to break. but best break the cycle now before we move onto vodka

[drinktoomuch]

I'm the same Fio - glass in one hadn, tube of pringles in the other sort of thing. How did you manage to cut out in the week - did you change your routine or was it just pure and simple willpower

[Fio2]

I just stopped buying alcohol in the week, if I have a bottle of wine in the house I tend to use any excuse to open it, so i just stopped buying it in the week. Obviously that means I have a wine rack with no wine in it, but who cares

[drinktoomuch]

wow that is impressive. I managed fine without when I was pregnant but then went back on it with a vengeance

[Caligula]

I really think it is habit. I always used to drink far too much when I was with DP (he was an alcoholic and encouraged me to drink - if I'd stayed with him, I'm sure I'd have been one by now.

I think Fio's right about not having it in the house. I've really got into the habit of rationing myself - one bottle a week and if it runs out before the next big shop, tough.

[Caligula]

sorry meant xp - talk about freudian slip!

[drinktoomuch]

Yes I think you're right. I need to take the bull by the horns so to speak

[Fio2]

it makes me feel so much better not drinking in the week aswell. If i have a drink my backside tends to get stuck to the sofa and I dont move, but without it I get more stuff done, wake up feeling better and more energentic, feel more motivated. it is worth it

[Janh]

It's the not buying it part I have trouble with - I have a bad habit of going to the supermarket at around 5pm for one reason or another and the wine section seduces me every time - I know it wouldn't at 10am. I drink more than you, dtm...

[Fio2]

hello jan

[Janh]

Hello darling - you and me on a drink-too-much thread again, just like old times (except that you aren't, I am very impressed )

[Caligula]

Ah Jan - you know what the way round that is - online shopping! That way, you've got loads of time not to impulse buy and be seduced by the wine aisle, plus you make sure you only get the wines which are £3 off and a total bargain!

(Rather horrifying when your first online shop only has one bottle of wine in it though, and you know that your laziness outweighs your desire for wine, so it really is going to have to last till the next big shop!)

[Fio2]

and to give you all a good laugh, apparently I snore like a boar when i have had a drink and my husband and even my children arent impressed

[bubble99]

I've been through this and I'm ashamed to say I still am, even though I'm BF and looking after a 4 month old baby, I need the wind-down after the boys have gone to bed. I find the prospect of not having a bottle of wine in the'fridge quite worrying. I know that if I can get through the 7-9pm stretch without drinking I'm OK.And it's always so much better waking up fresh and ready for the day. I've had relatively wine-free pregnancies but the urge comes straight back. If I'm honest I haven't been one of those people who gave up everything easily during pregnancy. It was a struggle and as I've never really suffered with nausea when pregnant it wasn't a natural thing to cut out. I rememeber reading about fetal alcohol syndrome and that has always been enough to do the job. There was a woman who adopted a child who's amniotic fluid smelt of alcohol when the sac was ruptured

Good for you Fio2 for posting. I'm sure there are many who can identify.

[spidermama]

I feel the need for something, be it wine or food. I wish I could replace the feeling that there has to be something for ME at the end of a hard day.

[Caligula]

Spider you can- it doesn't have to be food or drink, it can be a luxurious bath, manicure, pedicure, massage if you have partner...

[spidermama]

Yes you;re right. But there's just something compulsive about putting something in my mouth. Ooooer misses!

[Caligula]

Um... do you have a partner?