To ask what you do on nights when you don't have a glass of wine

@Caterguin . I had a few non alcoholic gins in the summer to try them out. The Tanqueray 0% wins all the taste tests as they use the same botanicals as in their ordinary gin. I agreed.

I quite like non alcoholic drinks when I’m driving/out for dinner. They taste more like the real thing as the makers get better and I don’t like coke/fanta/soft drinks. I find them much too sweet.

I used to have a drink most evenings with my XH who drank red wine every day without fail. I try not to drink other than one evening a week now and I don’t miss it. It was just a habit for me personally. I do feel jaded the next day when I have a drink, even if it’s only one (250ml of wine), I reckon that’s my age/menopause tbh.

I'm not stopping my weekend drinking, even though dh is going full on smug dry Jan, but I am going to try and cut down. The problem, like a pp said, is that nothing actually equates to alcohol. It's like having an apple when you want chocolate; doesn't hit the spot.

I've bought some alcohol free gin to try, although I'm not sure why it's only 6 quid cheaper than real gin.

Filling the time during the week is fine. But Friday and Saturday night when you're all watching a film or something and you've worked your arse off all week and been up early on sat morning for the gym feels like there needs to be a more substantial treat.

You can't replace alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic drinks as they obviously won't do the same thing, which is relax you and pass the time I suppose. Up to Christmas, I was basically drinking every day except when very busy or very tired. It's very much a boredom thing to me. I'll be starting dry January on Monday so will have to entertain myself some other way!

Being a stone overweight is nothing. I was more than a stone overweight and I was still really healthy, as told to me in a full medical.

Losing that weight was really easy, and now I’m in great shape.

Making your liver process alcohol every night is disastrous long term.

That’s a great idea @Thepossibility . I might give it a go for an hour a night when I’m in for the next week, see how it goes.

I watch tv on the treadmill so I'm not sitting on my arse eating and drinking, I only do that one night on the weekend. Followed by a nice long shower and then relax in bed reading or whatever. If I was sitting around bored I would drink more.

Tea, tea, more tea, and warm milk. I find hot drinks very soothing.

If you don't want to go cold turkey, you could try reducing your alcohol intake by doing spritzers, and then sparkling elderflower. Downgrade slowly, and it might be less noticeable.

I think you're wise to cut back, because latest studies are showing that wine is carcinogenic in smaller quantities than we previously thought.

I don't drink wine, don't really drink much at all but love to eat some chocolate in the evening

Nothing. I don't drink at home. If I want a drink I go to the pub.

Each deflection/denial is just making it more obvious that at this moment in time you're not willing to face the issue.

Which is a little confusing considering you started this thread.

I hope when you are ready that you find something fulfilling for you.

It's not really an either/or because alcohol can lead to weight gain. Biscuits don't alter your mood though.

Has anyone tried the Trip drinks that are being advertised everywhere? I'm not interested in influencers opinions just proper people!

I guess it's a habit for you (or addiction - could you go a week without any wine at all?) just like any other.

It doesn't occur to me to buy or drink wine in the evening in the same way it doesn't occur to me to buy a frog costume and sing the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack in the evening.

So I guess replacing the drink as you've mention could help, or just break the cycle until you're over it by getting rid of all the wine, having someone else cook, getting a takeaway, going out to a place that doesn't serve alcohol, going to the gym in the evening instead, etc. If it's a habit rather than an addiction you'll be over it within a week or two and you can just go back to cooking.

I think being a stone overweight is probably more unhealthy than a glass of wine a day

That's the kind of thing people say to justify drinking and is incorrect. If you can't enjoy an evening or a week without drinking, that's a problem. You may need to get support for this OP, before the problem gets worse.

I never open a bottle at home unless we have guests. I drink tea, water and squash, occasionally a diet coke, but much less as they can't be good for you.

@Stuffisperplexing

It's fine I'm not very good at tact! 🤣 no offence taken

My go to is red grape schloer zero, in a fancy glass, perfectly chilled! Guilt free as low calorie but moorish and I can easily drink most of the bottle. Downside is I then end up waking up to go to the loo in the night!

Was on offer in Tesco though for half price (£1.30) with club card prices

Cbd or squash. Hot Ribena

I was worried about how much I was drinking, so I joined a health club at a hotel nearby. Now I go for a swim at least four times a week.

I also started reading again.

I drink Trip drinks, or decaf coffee.

Bluntly op, in your first post you've described 1 or 2 glasses a night which is very close if not already taking you over recommended amounts, referred to reliance and low mood.

Your subsequent posts seem to be trying to minimise some of the comments made explaining why it's not good and however you try to justify it, drinking everyday isn't good for anyone.

It's obviously been playing on your mind. It's hard to admit if we've let things start to get away with us, but I think you need to be honest with yourself about what's made you start thinking about this. This article has some useful information. If you're happy as you are great, if not it gives you some things to think about

www.drinkaware.co.uk/news/how-to-stop-every-day-drinking