Do you worry about your drinking?

[Cookiedoughforbreakfast]

Hi,

I have always drunk a bit sometimes a lot too much, but I never drink to get drunk, so most of the time, I just convince myself that it's ok, I'll start cutting down next week etc, but it never really happens and as I get older, I'm starting to really worry about it.

As the weather gets better, I probably end up drinking more, because it's so nice sitting outside in the sun with a glass of GnT or chilled wine. For me, it's one of life's pleasures and I don't want to give that up.

Take this weekend, for example- Sunday, especially, was a gorgeous day here and DP and I went out to a really nice pub, sat outside and had a couple of glasses of wine. However, when we got back, it didn't stop there. I have that feeling and I don't want it to stop. I knew we had half a bottle of wine in the fridge, so thought that would be ok to share when we got home. Then DP suggests on the way back, that we get a bottle of prosecco and I protested for....oooo....5 seconds? So we end up drinking that, half that bottle of white and another half bottle of red we didn't realise we had

The thing is, I don't usually drink in the week anymore, so actually have cut back, but on average at the weekends, I'd say I drink two- two and a half bottles wine. Sometimes more (like this weekend) sometimes less, but it's too much.

I'm starting to get the next day fear. Actually, it's more a feeling of shame now. When I think about what I've done to my body, I feel a bit disgusted with myself and my anxiety spirals.

I don't have any other vices. I eat well, don't smoke etc, so I do feel it's my treat. Again, it's too much though and actually, how is something which is really bad for you, a "treat"?

Not sure why I'm posting really. Would be good to hear from others who can relate maybe.

TIA

I now only drink if I go out and don't have any alcohol at home, or if I do I buy one of those small bottles of wine or a bottle of corona or something like that. I drink a lot less now and feel better for it.

Work out how much you spend on booze. DH spent £35 a week which is roughly £140 a month and over £1000 a year. Also if you look up 'sober celebrities before and after' there is a massive difference in looks. Bored Panda has a good one. DH is now sober and our family life is so much better.

I used to feel like this too. I still drink too much if I'm out with DH as he's incapable of not turning a day out into a pub crawl, there's a limit on how much diet coke you can drink.

When I'm at home though I only drink with main meals at the weekend and even though I sometimes want a drink I don't have one. (so many alcohol free options at home)

I usually drink 2 bottles over a weekend, Friday - Sunday, sometimes Thursday - Sunday

I didn't think it's that big a deal? Is it? I know that the recommended allowance for women is 14 units per week, and 2 bottles is 20 units, so it's not as if it's massively over.
Admittedly, it's probably considered as binge drinking when the units are drank over 3 nights, rather than 7.

I justify it by saying I'm a healthy weight, I exercise, eat well and don't smoke.
It's my only vice and I enjoy it very much.

Although, yes, I'll admit that there are Saturdays when I feel groggy and anxious.

I don't mind if someone wants to tell me that I'm fooling myself - I'd certainly consider cutting down to 1.5 bottles = 15 units

OP, it sounds like what you described was a one off. I wouldn't worry, once it doesn't become a habit

Me and DP had a chat about midweek drinking. He’s not that bothered but I said to him under no circumstances am I going to drink mid week as it affects me too much (sleep etc) and I said he has to help me by not drinking either because if he drinks then I want to drink. He agreed reluctantly. I think it helps hugely if your DP wants to cut down too as doing it on your own when someone else is drinking is much harder. And let’s face it....no one needs alcohol to survive. (Excluding full blown alcoholics who can’t go cold turkey for health reasons)

Nope. I think I last had an alcoholic drink on Easter Sunday when we had friends over.

My alcohol tolerance dropped greatly post pregnancy 23 years ago, and added to that being pregnant triggered an auto immune disease which gets worse if I drink alcohol.

I miss wine, but I don't like how I feel afterwards, so drink fizzy water, or tea. I'm normally duty driver as well, so no-one (apart from my Mum) asks why I'm not drinking. Given my Dad was an alcoholic and she is paranoid about her three adult grandsons following his path, you think she would be relieved neither my db or I drink to excess.

DH and I just had this conversation a few weeks ago, like Boulez says it was becoming a bit of a reward for a long week or a bad day. Also the psychological association of "ooh, kick back, relax, reward yourself" = G&T in the garden or whatever.

For weekdays I got in a load of lemongrass & ginger Belvoir cordial and Tessiere syrups, sparkling water, ice, lime, mint. Still lovely to sip out in the garden at the end of a long day, but then if I have a glass of wine with dinner it's not on top of a cocktail as well.

I hardly drink these days as I appear to be intolerant to the sulphites or additives in most drinks so the itching, sneezing, shortness of breath put me off and feeling groggy and tired the next day.

Also, my 10yr old DD is very health conscious, after learning all about drugs and alcohol at school. She's black and white in her thinking, any alcohol is 'really bad', so is very disapproving if she sees me drinking. She also has friends with alcoholic parents which further cements her view on drinking.