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Original poster

Is drinking a bottle of wine four nights a week a problem?

330 replies

Dersnannienow · 16/09/2026 14:10

If someone drank a full bottle of wine to relax 4 nights a week every week would you consider that a drink problem? Even if they functioned properly still worked still took care of their family etc. Would they be kidding themselves to think that this is a normal and acceptable way to relax?

OP posts:
TorroFerney · 16/09/2026 17:15

Happyjoe · 16/09/2026 15:25

I don't think that's fair on a thread about someone needing 4 bottles a week in order to relax. You know that's not right.

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Quite agree. Poor form from that poster. This is serious.

Gloriia · 16/09/2026 17:18

PuzzledObserver · 16/09/2026 16:53

In any given year, roughly 14% of adults would meet the diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorder - or alcoholism, as most of us still call it. So that might explain the significant minority of people saying the OP’s consumption is not that bad.

There is a (sick) joke which goes that an alcoholic is someone who drinks more than their doctor. My DF was a doctor - a GP. He functioned well all his life, never let patients down, was always on duty when he was supposed to be, was in fact a police surgeon in the days before breath alcohol meters, regularly going down the police station to draw blood from people who had been arrested for being drunk in charge.

DH likes to say -referring to that joke - that my father had very few alcoholic patients. He didn’t quite die of the booze, because pneumonia got him first, but he was heading towards end stage liver disease when he died. Solvent, still married, a model citizen and member of the community.

You make it all sound like he was just a naughty man. Didn't anyone report him, didn't anyone at his practice realise he was a drunk?

Sorry for his sad death from pneumonia but blimey it sounds like he could well have caused accidents the way you say he drove 'before breathalysers' so you all knew he was under the influence at work? I don't quite get the joke you refer to?

Itsbeenalongtimeincoming · 16/09/2026 17:18

100% yes I would think they have a drink problem. Being a functioning alcoholic still
makes you an alcoholic.

OP I think you need to get some help or if you ca. start to seriously cut back:

Elsvieta · 16/09/2026 17:18

Even if their life, family etc are functioning fine, there will come a time when their liver isn't.

Gloriia · 16/09/2026 17:19

Elsvieta · 16/09/2026 17:18

Even if their life, family etc are functioning fine, there will come a time when their liver isn't.

And the drinker always say they function fine. No one else will agree though, family friends etc.

momtoboys · 16/09/2026 17:22

I would think it was excessive.

rosie1959 · 16/09/2026 17:24

Gloriia · 16/09/2026 17:09

I was responding to a pp who said a heavy drinker is in control and an alcoholic isn't . Neither are that's where there isn't a difference.
An alcoholic will develop medical diseases quicker but a heavy drinker will catch up.
Once you drink too much, you drink too much it's all a slippery slope.

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The heavy drinker can if they do choose stop drinking without any mental effects they do not have the cravings which the alcoholic will suffer from making them drink probably against their will. Alcoholics are actually very sick people who need help to deal with their alcoholism and all that goes with it. It is a mental and physical illness that goes much deeper than just drinking too much.
I know people who drink really heavily but could not relate or understand that the alcoholic has no off switch or how deeply they are ashamed of their drinking.

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 16/09/2026 17:26

It's 40 units a week when the recommended is 14, so yes, that is alcoholic level.

Cotopaxi · 16/09/2026 17:26

Dersnannienow · 16/09/2026 14:13

It's me and someone has said something I don't want to give too much information. I'm just wondering if its a problem when there's no problem

Yes, I'm afraid it is a problem.

Tablesandchairs23 · 16/09/2026 17:32

Yes its a big problem.

3luckystars · 16/09/2026 17:33

just my opinion and I’m not judging you but if I was doing this, i would think it is a scandalous amount to be drinking. Is that every week?

it sounds like a big problem. You must have a smell of drink off you all the time.

Do you think you would be able to find another way to cope with your life, as this will take its toll on you eventually. All the very best to you x x

globalswimmer · 16/09/2026 17:35

Unfortunately it is a problem. And I say that at someone who struggles with the same issue. Also live a stable life. Work hard. Don't drink every night. But when I do drink I tend to drink too much.

CeciliaMars · 16/09/2026 17:36

So it’s about 40 units a week. Doctors recommend 14 as a max. Yes it’s a lot and really unhealthy for your liver. Alcohol causes a lot of cancers too.

Boobyslims · 16/09/2026 17:36

Yes

RisingSunn · 16/09/2026 17:43

That amount is ALOT (to me).
I didn’t know what the vote represented so couldn’t choose!

PaterPower · 16/09/2026 17:43

Obviously the damage it’s doing to your liver isn’t great.

Then, in no particular order, there’s the substance dependancy, the money it’s costing you, the lifestyle it’s communicating to any kids you might have and all the ‘empty’ calories you’re consuming.

If I saw a friend drinking as regularly and heavily as you, OP, then I’d be very worried for them.

edited to add that, depending on how late you have your last drink, a full bottle might well mean you’re still over the drink driving limit in the morning(s).

Doctordoolittle · 16/09/2026 17:43

Dersnannienow · 16/09/2026 14:10

If someone drank a full bottle of wine to relax 4 nights a week every week would you consider that a drink problem? Even if they functioned properly still worked still took care of their family etc. Would they be kidding themselves to think that this is a normal and acceptable way to relax?

Is it excessive amounts of alcohol- absolutely. It’s around 40 units of alcohol a week when the recommended is 14 units.

Nolongera · 16/09/2026 17:44

Depends where you live.
USA,? you are an alcoholic.
South of England? You have a problem.
Where I live? No worries.

Mamamia35 · 16/09/2026 17:45

Is that 4 bottles a week?
or 1 bottle of wine over 4 nights?

Start using measures. A small glass of wine is 125ml. So it sounds like you’re having 24 glasses of wine a week.

Abackupplan · 16/09/2026 17:46

Mamamia35 · 16/09/2026 17:45

Is that 4 bottles a week?
or 1 bottle of wine over 4 nights?

Start using measures. A small glass of wine is 125ml. So it sounds like you’re having 24 glasses of wine a week.

It is very clear what it is

GB81 · 16/09/2026 17:46

Dersnannienow · 16/09/2026 14:15

Sorry it wasn't clear

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Glad you cleared that up 😂

Madamecholetsbonnet · 16/09/2026 17:47

Yes. I would think that is problematic drinking.

ReadBooksMorons · 16/09/2026 17:50

Dersnannienow · 16/09/2026 14:10

If someone drank a full bottle of wine to relax 4 nights a week every week would you consider that a drink problem? Even if they functioned properly still worked still took care of their family etc. Would they be kidding themselves to think that this is a normal and acceptable way to relax?

Paranoia and anxiety the next day, or at the very least not waking with a sense of optimism, are reason enough to quit. That's what did it for me.

Wingingit73 · 16/09/2026 17:51

It is a lot. Could you cut back? If its a problem then i guess you have your answer. Probably just a habit that's crept up.

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 16/09/2026 17:52

I see drinking a whole bottle on a regular basis (and 4 nights a week is more nights drinking that amount than not) as too much and an unhealthy relationship with alcohol.

I like a drink, drink a glass or two 3 or 4 nights a week, but a whole bottle is occasional party time.

The fact that you do this without feeling extremely drunk would suggest your body is affected.

Do you think it is an issue? Do you want to cut down?