Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5

Original poster

Why do you drink everyday? Or why don't you?

117 replies

Longroadforgotten · 17/05/2020 18:45

DP drinks every day. It bothers me but I can't pinpoint why. I think it is because in my mind it is a one way ticket to becoming dependant. But I'm the polar opposite. I don't drink at all. I used to occasionally but since being pregnant and giving birth I've had a sip of beer here and there and that is it. I can't say I particularly miss it and I prefer being in my right mind all the time (I've always been a lightweight). Therefore, I am not really sure why someone would be compelled to drink every day. Please don't think I'm judging. I'm not. I just want to get more of an overall view of people's drinking habits. DP assures me most people drink most days to relax, unwind and obviously they enjoy it!

OP posts:

NotaFreeloader · 17/05/2020 18:49

I suppose it depends how much he drinks every day ? Glass of wine or a beer with dinner might be fine but if he’s having lots more that could be an issue
We don’t drink except for Christmas or if it’s an occasion not that we dont like it but we just prefer non alcoholic drinks

Megan2018 · 17/05/2020 18:50

I used to, DH frequently does. I love wine.

Currently still EBF and bed sharing so these days I am virtually teetotal.

A glass or 2 was my unwind from work, more at the weekends. It is the norm in my extended family for sure. I do feel better for stopping though so probably won’t slip back.

SimonJT · 17/05/2020 18:52

I drink beer everyday, I always have one at about 8pm when my son is finally in bed. I’m ‘compelled’ to do it because I really like beer.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food

Flamingodial · 17/05/2020 18:52

Because it helps me relax, instantly stops evenings in being boring and makes me feel enthused and energised - I feel like the world is full of possibility when I’ve had a drink

Original poster

Longroadforgotten · 17/05/2020 18:54

Not huge amounts. A beer or two. Or a couple of glasses of wine. Or a small bottle (50cl) of gin liqueur in a week. I still find it odd. My family aren't big drinkers. His family have heavy drinkers and non drinkers 🤷

OP posts:

FrothyB · 17/05/2020 18:55

I don't drink every day as I have a very addictive personality and I don't want to develop a dependency. I get very happy whilst drunk and I'm sure doing that daily wouldn't work out well for me.

I have quite a high alcohol tolerance, and I like to actually feel the effects of alcohol for it to be worthwhile, a couple of lagers just doesn't cut it. Once every couple of months I'll have 7-8 beers at home or a bottle of port, get myself suitably buzzed, and that'll be it, other than special occasions.

Snaga · 17/05/2020 18:55

I don't drink, haven't really since becoming a mother. I just don't like the idea of my thinking being impeded when responsible for my children.

My husband might drink 4/5 pints once in a fortnight if inclined to but has been known to go far longer without a drink.

Alcohol is not central to our lives. It's rarely in the house and doesn't feature as part of any celebrations (birthdays or Christmas for example). We enjoy ourselves without alcohol so see little point in including it just to be "normal".

lazylinguist · 17/05/2020 18:55

I don't drink every day because I'm not good at having just one drink, and more than one would be too much if I were doing it every day. I'd just constantly feel slightly below par and would sleep badly.

I used to socially drink pretty heavily in my twenties and early thirties (never dependent). If I did that now (late 40s, slightly high bp) it would make me unwell and make me a good candidate for a heart attack or a stroke. I drink once or twice a week (occasionally none), and rarely more than 3 or 4 units at a time.

OP - it's simply not true that most people drink every day to unwind. Your dp is saying that to minimise his own drinking - not necessarily because he's drinking too much (you don't say how much he drinks at a time), but maybe because he knows you don't approve.

lifestooshort123 · 17/05/2020 18:56

I have a large glass of wine every night after 6pm. It makes me feel good and relaxes me so I don't see any reason not to. I wouldn't have more cos I'd be snoring on the sofa...

MarieQueenofScots · 17/05/2020 18:57

Just not interested to be honest.

I wouldn’t choose to drink in sole charge of my daughter anyway, but I can take it or leave it.

I might have a glass of wine with a meal when out etc, but I’ve never really “got” drinking culture.

Original poster

Longroadforgotten · 17/05/2020 18:57

@SimonJT sorry if the "compelled" came across the wrong way. I just re read and it does sound like I'm judging. I'm not. I just wanted to know what others do

OP posts:

TheListeners · 17/05/2020 18:58

It never occurs to me to have a drink so I just don't. Very occasionally I will drink socially and even the smallest amount of alcohol badly affects my sleep. So basically I know my body doesn't appreciate it. I wish my body realised that sweets and chocolate are also not good for me but so far that's not happening.

Original poster

Longroadforgotten · 17/05/2020 19:00

He will only have a couple a night. I try not to make a deal out of it but it bothers me. Like I said though, I can't really articulate or pinpoint why.

OP posts:

PrincessHoneysuckle · 17/05/2020 19:01

We drink once a week on a friday night either a bottle of wine each or spirits and mixers.We usually start around 5 and finish at around 8/9 so don't feel hungover the next day.

ALongHardWinter · 17/05/2020 19:03

Agree with the previous poster who said that it's not true that 'most people drink every day to unwind'. Amongst my friends and family,I am not aware of anyone who drinks every day. Of course,they could be lying! But everyone I know claims to drink only on special occasions,e.g. Christmas,birthdays,New Years Eve,or if they're having a meal out.
Personally,I don't drink every day,or even every week actually. Mainly because I'm trying to lose weight and alcohol has the two pronged effect of being high in calories,and making me less likely to care about over-eating once I've downed a few glasses of wine. I've also found as I've entered my 50s,that I'm less tolerant to alcohol. 20 years ago I could down a bottle of wine in an evening and feel fine the next day. If I did that now,I'd have a hangover for 2 days.

babbi · 17/05/2020 19:03

I don’t drink at all as I am a lightweight and feel healthy without it .
Teenage / student days were a different matter entirely though 😂

I don’t think drinking every day is healthy at all though for anyone , though I am a total hypocrite to say that as I work in the drinks industry and my bonus depends upon how much others drink .....

BTW sales of some brands in this country have been astronomical this last month ...
There is some serious drinking going on in the U.K. right now .....

cheezy · 17/05/2020 19:04

Every day for the past couple of months. One gin and tonic and maybe a glass of wine. It relaxes me, makes me feel good - happier even. I love alcohol, probably too much, and would like to cut down or quit altogether for a few months.

Anotherchangeanothername · 17/05/2020 19:06

I make sure I have two dry days at least but my partner drinks daily. Its not a lot and its always with food (and he's usually paired it). He loves having a nice meal accompanied with a lovely glass of wine, and it is one of his joys in life!

He never gets drunk by himself.

isthismylifenow · 17/05/2020 19:07

I will have a glass of wine or a mixed drink every now and then. A few times a month really. I don't drink that much as I don't like the after affects. Wine make my gums ache for some reason and I suffer with ibs so it doesn't help that either. I used to drink more but when I got divorced I stopped completely and I think this contributed a lot to weight loss.

My exdp is a heavy drinker. I didn't like him as much after he had a few. I think after that relationship I saw another side to alcohol to be honest.

In my country we cannot buy alcohol during the lockdown. People have gone to quite extreme measures to either buy it illegally or are making their own concoctions.

Northernsoullover · 17/05/2020 19:09

I don't drink at all because I used to drink every day. It was too much for my health and it was actually easier to stop completely rather than try and limit it.

lovinglavidaloca · 17/05/2020 19:15

I don’t really drink in the house at all because

a) the calories ... I’d always rather have chocolate or crisps instead
b) I don’t want to get to a place I want or need it every day - it’s easier just to not go down that path
c) I hate being hungover so much

I am always a bit when I see people on Facebook drinking on weeknights at home! I know it’s completely normal but just because it’s not something we do it seems like such a luxurious thing to do as well!

I will have the odd gin every once in a blue moon but usually just one or two then stop.

worldweary45 · 17/05/2020 19:17

I only drink socially so it wouldn't even occur to me to have a drink in the evening at home

Not a conscious decision, I've just never really been bothered and even on a night out I can take it or leave it

I have zero understanding of people that get home from work and head straight for the fridge for a glass of wine or a beer -not in a critical way, I just don't get why people crave it although I often crave cake

lastqueenofscotland · 17/05/2020 19:26

I don’t - mainly as I’m vain and it’s too many calories

Theislands · 17/05/2020 19:41

I don't drink everyday (or much at all really) as I don't particularly crave the taste and I don't feel the need to unwind in that way. I do like a champagne on a very special occasion or Beer or Prosecco if out which again is rare but again just one or two.

My parents drink wine everyday with dinner and that's how it always was growing up but for some reason I have never been the same?

Theislands · 17/05/2020 19:41

That said I drank big time at uni?

Flip

1 2 3 4 5