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Original poster

How much do you drink? Honestly

150 replies

Bastardanxiety · 01/02/2019 13:15

Hi,

I'm sure this has been done to death, but I guess I was just feeling a bit nosey.

So we've just had dry January and there are more teetotalers in this country now than ever before, but we're still very much a drinking nation, aren't we?

So quite simply, how much do you drink(if anything)? And if you do drink, what kind of drinker are you? I.e, do you only drink at the weekend? Are you mostly dry, but when you drink, you binge? Or do you drink throughout the week? Are you happy with your drinking? Do you worry about it?

I suppose I should go first Blush

This week I've had just one dry day (ooops- stressed, but only a small glass in the evening) but usually I'm dry in the week, but will drink Friday until Sunday. Not constantly Grin but I'd say a couple of bottles of wine in that time, if I'm being completely honest, which I know is slightly over the RWA.

I definitely over indulged over Christmas and I always do when I'm on holiday. That said, I never drink to get drunk, although I do enjoy that slightly tipsy, merry feeling.

Ok, over to you....

OP posts:
notacooldad · 01/02/2019 13:37

I can go for months without having alcohol. it's not a conscious descion, I just dont fancy it at rhe time. I had 2 beers on Christmas Eve and not had anything since. However l'm going out tonight so may have a couple.

MarshaBradyo · 01/02/2019 13:37

Oh and a fair bit if out socialising

shelikesemwithamoustache · 01/02/2019 13:39

I drink hardly anything day to day. Once a month or so I may go out with friends and have 3-4 drinks in an evening. I can go months without drinking.

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Rubusfruticosus · 01/02/2019 13:39

A couple of ciders (pint/500ml bottle) about once a month. Maybe once a week over the Christmas period.

Original poster
Bastardanxiety · 01/02/2019 13:39

We've swapped to using a wine box and then we never have that ooh might as well finish the bottle feeling

Yes, but do you ever get that ooh, might as well finish the box feeling? Grin

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 01/02/2019 13:40

'because most people I know who give it up, swear that they don't.'

I haven't given up drinking but I've had dry periods of 4-6 weeks. Its just a different mindset. I very much relate to your excitement at celebrating and relaxing with a drink, but if you're not boozing then you just have to put your focus elsewhere- the food you're eating, or the long walk you're going to do the next day or whatever. And in all honesty, sometimes the evenings are not as much fun. The mornings though- utterly glorious! A clear head, feeling well rested, bright skin and eyes, plenty of energy. Its a revelation when you're used to drinking regularly

Flower777 · 01/02/2019 13:43

I basically don’t ever drink but this means that if I have one drink it really affects me.

So I’m trying to up my tolerance so that I enjoy a drink if I’m out with my friends without feeling pissed after one drink 🤣

It’s not working though

icannotremember · 01/02/2019 13:43

On average, 1-2 bottles of wine a week. Sometimes less, occasionally more. Sometimes I go weeks without fancying a drink at all. Sometimes I really fancy a beer or cider so get some. Most weeks I buy a bottle of wine at Aldi with the weekly shop and that's it.

HolgerLowCarbingLoser · 01/02/2019 13:43

Not enough!! Grin

Depends. If I’m stressed at work I like to have a few glasses of wine or a couple of g&t’s of an evening, but I don’t sleep well and alcohol often makes it worse so it’s often a balancing act. I also don’t like the idea of being dependent on that ritual, so I make sure I don’t reach for it every single time I feel like it.

It can be quite variable from week to week, and month to month. If we have lots of meals in a week where wine is complementary to the food then I might have a glass with my dinner and couple after on two or three nights. But this week we haven’t had any at all so far with our dinners. I had one measure of calvados one evening. Tonight we’re having steak so I’ll probably get a bottle to go with it. Other weeks we don’t have wine at all but we might have a few beers each at the weekend. Some weeks we have a whisky or brandy each a few nights in a row, with one night in between here and there.

Some weeks we won’t have anything at all (esp if my OH is on call as I normally don’t have anything if he’s not).

We don’t have all that much in a session because we’re getting older and our hangovers have changed from headaches to feeling vaguely ill in the stomach for up to a week afterwards... I also don’t like what it does to my face - I like my skin to be as clear and bright as possible.

I’ve never been a drink-to-get-drunk person, but I do like chilling with a glass in hand at the end of the day.

MacavityTheDentistsCat · 01/02/2019 13:44

I don't drink alcohol at all.
I used to drink it - really rather a lot of it actually - but got myself to a point where it was making me unhappy so I decided to give it up entirely. I have found that easier than moderating as the decision is made and I don't have to have an internal soul-destroying 'how much?' discussion with myself each day.

greatbigwho · 01/02/2019 13:48

Maybe a glass or two a week, tops?

I never drink if I've had a bad day, or if I'm stressed. I know too many mums especially who seem to be on the brink of alcoholism and I think the culture around mums and wine/gin is really unhelpful. Drinking should not be a standard response to stress.

AsTheWorldTurns · 01/02/2019 13:50

Probably a half to three-quarters a bottle of wine daily.

Not great.

Pineapple90 · 01/02/2019 13:53

I don't drink during the week at all unless on holiday.
Some weekends I don't drink anything, some I have one pear cider/ glass of wine either Friday or Saturday night. If I'm out with friends the most I would have is 3 or 4 cocktails but that's rare- less than once a month. Sometimes I'll drive on a night out and not have any.
I'm happy with my drinking. Absolutely hate a hangover. I can take it or leave it really but sometimes it's nice to have one or two.

Pineapple90 · 01/02/2019 13:55

Just noticed your name OP. Drink definitely makes my anxiety way worse...

user1533903238 · 01/02/2019 13:56

Don’t really drink (I’m a terrible drunk) but am not teetotal. So far this year I think 1 glass of wine when out for Sunday dinner one night. Generally I’ll have one if the occasion calls for it - weddings, parties, dinner parties that sort of thing. However I only ever have one or two, and am always the designated driver so even that doesn’t happen often. Really not bothered, would rather use the calories for chocolate when it comes to relaxing after a hard day!

Angelinthenight · 01/02/2019 13:57

I hardly ever drink did do mulled heated wine at xmas time but thats the first drink in like 5 years.

MarthaHanson · 01/02/2019 13:59

I’ve been sober for just over 6 months for a whole host of reasons, but the biggest one was that I was curious to know what my life would be like without booze, and - honestly - I have REALLY REALLY wanted a drink at times, but I don’t regret my decision for a second. My life is richer for not drinking. And I bloody LOVED drinking.

If anyone is thinking about giving up drinking I whole heartedly recommend Catherine grey’s book, or Kristi coulter’s. (Unexpected joy of being sober & nothing good can come of this) And seriously think about what your toolkit might be-ie what your wind down wine replacements might be.

rightreckoner · 01/02/2019 14:00

Lots of non drinkers on this thread which is probably skewing the results a bit. I'm pretty much a non drinker too. Maybe a glass of wine once a week. It's not willpower or an active decision or anything like that - alcohol just doesn't speak to me. I like a glass of wine with a nice meal and that's it for me.

I feel fortunate that my relationship with alcohol is like this. I don't have to fight to control it. As I said, there's no virtue on my part in that - it's just not my thing.

MarthaHanson · 01/02/2019 14:01

And agree with PP that abstaining is 100% easier than moderating-which I tried for about a year.

Lucisky · 01/02/2019 14:02

I used to be quite abstemious when I was working, but retirement changed that. I only ever drink white wine, or beer if we go to the pub, but my wine consumption increased to around 3 bottles a week. I have now gone back to just drinking on 4 nights a week, and I only ever pour my wine (over ice!) about half an hour before we eat. I am now down to just under 2 bottles a week. It's the empty calories that bother me most, especially as I am trying to lose weight.

ShatnersWig · 01/02/2019 14:02

Adding it all up, approximately:

6 bottles of white a year
2 bottles of Prosecco a year
10 pints of cider a year

dartitus · 01/02/2019 14:02

I’m 22 and don’t drink basically anything anymore, I had a couple of glasses of baileys over Christmas and that was it, I binged a lot through my teens so I think the feeling I got from that is that I don’t want hangovers like that again!
I hate wine and don’t understand how people can drink it every night, how do you not feel like shit the next morning lol.

RavenLG · 01/02/2019 14:04

I only really drink on social occasions but when I do I drink a lot, 1/2 pre drinks, 5-10 drinks out (some doubles / cocktails) so probably classed as binge drinking. But then I only drink maybe once every couple of months at a birthday /wedding etc. Or will have 1/2 pints of cider if we go to see a band / comedian every now and again.

SlinkyDinkyDoo · 01/02/2019 14:05

Depends. Every day on holiday/weekends away. Weeks without then I might have a week where I drink maybe 3 bottles of wine and a few spirits over the course of that week.

BitchQueen90 · 01/02/2019 14:05

Honestly?

I'm a binge drinker. I don't drink at all at home but about once a month (when DS is with my ex) I'll get drunk with friends. I don't drink wine, I drink spirits. Usually about 7 or 8 singles with mixer.

I also drink Bailey's at Christmas, a litre bottle over 2 weeks (I get 2 weeks off work).

I'm not looking to cut down. I don't drink at home and I enjoy those nights out so I don't feel guilty.

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