Anyone think 14 units a week is really low?

[Bunnylady54]

The average bottle of wine is I believe about 9 units so 14 units is less than 2 bottles a week. I drink more than that! Does anyone think it’s pretty hard to stick to 14 units?

I drink more than that on a night out in one which obviously isnt big or clever but yeah it seems low over a week, I drink more than that 😳

I feel very boring now I don't drink to be honest
This is a shame, because I find people who can't go without a drink very boring too. Or those Prosecco obsessives where everything in their lives is alcohol themed. I went to a wedding and the theme was wine, from table names to red wine coloured everything.

Personally I'm not teetotal, but I rarely drink now. It's not actually that nice, it's something you acquire a taste for. You crave the sugar and the alcohol. When you stop you realise it's a bit like drinking paint stripper, unless a very good wine and those 14% cheapies that aren't that cheap aren't good.

You've got the information, do what you want with it, your body, your risk, but unless you are medically qualified in that area you can't really challenge whether long term use will impact your heal and it is wrong to minimise the potential health risks to others to make you feel justified in your own over consumption.

14 units a week on average seems about right. I probably average that with sometimes 0 units some weeks and 14 or more in one night out others.

It's interesting to me that according to medic friends, this country is a middle class time bomb waiting to go off in regards to alcohol intake. Because people drink wine rather than lager or cider, they see it as somehow civilised. And their friends drink the same amount, so they think it's normal.

Sadly, it's starting to catch up with people between their late 40s and 70s in terms of massive health problems. But because 14 units is "nothing" and people frequently drink more than three bottles a week, then it's "fine" apparently. Until liver disease kicks in.

If lager was drunk every night, at a level which matched the alcohol intake of half a bottle of wine, I suspect that most people on here would think the person was on the way to getting a drink problem.

For me it is a huge amount but I can’t understand how anyone can drink even a glass without falling over.

For me the room spins on a liqueur chocolate.

I think it's a lot but when i was drinking 5-8 units a day i thought i was drinking a normal amount but looking back i was drinking loads and had issues.

What surprised me was when I sat down and worked out how much I actually drink, and it turned out to be around the 14 unit mark most weeks. I’ve spent so much time on here reading the “I have half a shot of wine at Christmas if I know I won’t need to drive before March” brigade that I thought I was a raging alcoholic. I’m reasonably virtuous in the grand scheme of things.

It wouldn't bother me if I couldn't have a glass of wine in the evening and I don't drink alcohol every night, but I'm not sure what I would drink instead

See to me i drink to quench my thirst so i only really drink water. I honestly believe drinking alcohol most days is a habit. Why drink it? To relax? Why cant you relax without it? Because it tastes nice? Ok so drink one glass or something else tasty.

SirChing I agree. I posted earlier that I felt 14 units felt low. It does to me. I was drinking a lot more though and no way could I keep to 'just' 14 units. It was easier to stop altogether than to feel satisfied by a measly 14 units. I definitely had a dependency.
It might surprise people that despite guidance being 14 units or less that there isn't really a safe limit of alcohol. Its best avoided completely.
Incidentally the French had such bad health problems due to alcohol that they have clamped down on alcohol advertising and sponsorship.
I always feel cross when mumsnetters say that they introduce alcohol to their children in a civilised manner like they do in France a bit of watered down wine at dinner. Would they give their children a can of Special Brew?

At some points in my late teens/early 20s, me and my mates would likely have averaged 14 units an hour Now I'm older and wiser, I usually have a glass or two on a Friday then go to bed with a book..

I struggle to drink more than two glasses a week. I sometimes wish I could drink more but wine has a very strong effect on me and sets off my digestive issues - not glamorous.

It’s far too low if you actually want to get drunk. The only way to stay under it is to pretty much stay sober.

Why drink it? To relax? Why cant you relax without it? Why can't you have another drink that tastes nice

Well you see alcohol is a drug, that affects humans and other mammals if consumed. Some of the effects include a feeling of relaxation and well being. I'm suprised that needs explaining tbh.

I don't drink 14 units a week as I'm dieting, but I agree you can exceed that amount without being unhealthy or having a dependence, so it that sense it's low.

Its just a recommendation though. Of course the government is not going to recommend drinking a lot, what would be in that for them? Probably few of us get our 5 a day/10 a day veg count or do the recommended hour of vigorous exercise every single day of the year. It's just something to think about.

Also it's not a sharp cut off. Like 13.5 units = healthiest possible person, 14.5 units = check in to detox facility immediately.

I'm giving it up for good, I think. I had about a bottle and a half spread over Christmas/New Year, and the hangovers were worse, for the amount per session, than anything previous. I had 330mls of Hoegaarden three days ago, and the ensuing rage and depression hasn't worn off. Can't be hurting people through a chemical imbalance.

It’s far too low if you actually want to get drunk
Only if you regularly drink too much.
If you have a couple of drinks a week you can easily have a low enough tolerance.
But then I don't drink to "get drunk", pleasantly merry maybe, because I like the taste, yes.

I'm not sure if it's "too low", but it's very easy to go over it. And the recommendations vary from country to country.

I've been watching what I eat for so much of my life and naturally watch what I drink as well. I definitely go over 14 units in December and at some points in the summer but otherwise I stay below that. Drinkaware app is very good to check your intake.

@Lobsterquadrille2 I'm a recovering alcoholic too, and I can say hand on heart that towards the end of my drinking career (the final 4 or so years), I fucking hated alcohol. I was physically dependent on it and the enjoyment had worn off a good 10 years prior.

It's interesting to me that according to medic friends, this country is a middle class time bomb My medic friends drink more than anyone else I know. I recall they even received a full lecture focused entirely on warning of the alcohol and substance abuse amongst the medical profession whilst they were at Uni.

It’s the upper edge of what’s advised. And sadly alcohol is a poison.

You’re a grown up, you know the risks. It’s your choice.

These threads remind me of the pizza threads on MN where people come on saying they couldn't possibly eat more than one slice. 😂

I think it's high, but then again I usually won't reach 14 units in 3 months.

It's low if you're using it for the purpose I use it for - a form of escapism. I'm making a conscious effort to drink less at the moment. It creeps up on you.

This is mums net where virtually everyone drinks less than anyone I know or is a raging alky

@DickAmbush I remember reading an autobiography of George Best and it said that he had never experienced full on DTs. I thought "Blimey, I'm worse than George Best!"