I feel proud of not drinking for a night - does that mean I’m an alcoholic

I have frozen raspberries in, just for that purpose!

Alcoholism can be a very narrow lens to look at having a dependancy on alcohol through, people can see the more extreme stage of being dependent (for eg unable to get through the day without drinking) as an independent condition and not see that there are so many variants of problematic drinking that can all escalate (or are actually worse than the person describing their own problem can admit to themselves). Most people who end up completely dependent on alcohol got there in stages as their tolerance of alcohol increased, anyone who drinks a half bottle of rose daily and several bottles at the weekend and is lazer focussed on getting to 7.30 for a drink is at risk. (it can and does happen to anyone). You are doing a very good thing for yourself and your family but don't be afraid to look for proper structured help and guidance to help you through the physical and mental dependence and give you tools to keep going

Sounds nice though.

There's a lot of decent alcohol free stuff around now. I can barely tell the difference between taste with things like Guinness and Heineken (for world cup watching purposes), the Kylie AF prosecco is decent as well imo, and some of the white wines are ok especially with ice and fizzy water to make a spritzer. Red wine is more difficult to replicate - Waitrose sells one by Thomson and Scott that's pretty good but it's a tenner a bottle.

Well done on making the change. I agree with pps that what you call yourself doesn't really matter - it's what you do that counts. Very easy for a glass to become two, to become just one more, to become might as well finish this off ... Nobody ever started their drinking career getting hammered every day/night, they all lead into it gradually. I think it's great that you've realised you're doing something that you don't really want to, and exploring how to not do it.

I was just going to suggest these but mine are called Skip - same thing I think, 99p a can from home bargains. They genuinely make me feel relaxed (probably a placebo but who cares if it works) and they taste nice especially with ice and a sprig of mint and a couple of raspberries.

It’s very easy to creep up on you. I barely drank for years after binge drinking through my 20s.

Then in the last 2/3 years post Covid I realised my drinking had ramped up. It was definitely habit but thankfully I’m basically a child and a lemonade in a wine glass was a perfectly adequate substitute.

Well done for recognising the issue - sounds like you’re doing great 👏🏽

Well done on your 3rd day without alcohol. Particularly as you went for lunch with your friend.

It's not self-indulgent at all.
Keep posting and we'll be happy to support you.

Don’t be ashamed. You’ve been sucked in my marketing and shiny bottled and labels and a lie that prettily labelled expensive toxins are necessary for enjoyment, coping with stress etc. Not drinking for a
day is a day more than I managed in the shitshow my life had become before I quite completely nearly 5 years ago.

I drink elderflower and mint Trip drinks during the week. Just one makes me feel like I’ve had a nice treat, and they’re something like 49 calories.

I still drink alcohol, but I feel like it’s an occasional choice rather than a habit.

Sadly an alcoholic’s body requires alcohol from the moment they wake up to ‘function’. They can’t just not drink for a day. In fact, whilst waiting for treatment my alcoholic friend has been told not to go cold turkey admits very dangerous for him when his body is so dependent.
so you are not an alcoholic.

It’s so easy to slide in to bad habits in attempts to relax in the exhausting young-children years. Such a slippery slope. Be proud you’ve acknowledged this to yourself and are choosing to do something about it.

Yes, its a habit which is tricky to break! I think youve recognised its a problem for you so its an excellent start.
I didnt drink after dc bedtime as one dc was erracticly poorly and the thought of having to call an ambulance/ not being able to drive really bothered me.

I like fizzy water, elerflower cordial, or a nice cup of tea :) my evenings are more interesting now, and i dont even think about alchohol. Amazing:)

Yes, when you're craving something (anything really!) that's a strong sign it's a potential problem.

Congratulations on your second day clear, and for acknowledging and making the change. That's a really strong thing to do! 🎉

I guess what I have learnt is that during the week I could drink a zero gin and low fat tonic and enjoy it as much as a real gin and tonic, which is kind of a huge success. Then at the weekend I'll allow myself red wine.

I'm on day 22 of a one month personal challenge to not drink. I'm like you, a habitual drinker rather than an alcoholic. I've been fine without alcohol but I would not have called it a fun month. Franky, not sure this month of abstinence has done me much good, as I can't wait for it to be over, but I did lose 1.5 kg so far and my stomach is flatter. I get invited to a lot of aperitivo type events and this alcohol free life really makes socialising dull.

Yes, it does suggest you have a drink problem.
BUT
The important thing here is that you have recognised it, and are doing something about it. So well done.

If you get a chance watch the documentary by Adrian Childs think it was bbc 2 called drinkers like me I found a real eye opener about drinking every day made a difference to my way of thinking
good luck with dry June

Good for you - you're doing really well! You may well be feeling better already, especially in the morning ... if not yet then very soon

🙌 for getting past the drinking noise. It isn’t easy but gets easier as you go.

I did dry January in 2025 and haven’t drank since, as I listened to Alcohol Explained. It’s worth a listen if you have time, helped me for the January and beyond! I have just lost all interest in drinking now.

Being proud you've resisted doing something you want to because it's a healthier choice is not in itself a sign of an addiction to the thing, no.
I feel proud of myself when I've walked instead of driving or have mowed the lawn rather than lazing on a sunbed. It's the triumph of putting the long term gain over immediate gratification.
I'm not saying you're NOT an alcoholic. Just that there are better criteria to assess it than harmless self pride at resisting.

The M&S AF g&t is nice. I like a kombucha (the hip pop ones are nice) which is kind of dry but fruity in the way rosé is