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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:
highmarkingsnowmobile · 17/05/2020 20:26

I have wine with dinner every few nights. On Friday or Saturday I'll have a G&T or two whilst making dinner and a glass of wine with dinner. DH doesn't drink at all, just doesn't like the taste. I like the taste.

DidoLamenting · 17/05/2020 20:28

OP - it's simply not true that most people drink every day to unwind

Even when I was a party animal I never got this idea of needing a drink at the end of the day to unwind.

Fantastical · 17/05/2020 20:33

I used to drink nearly every day. Any excuse.

Six months ago, I decided to stop, and it's been a revelation how little I miss it and how easy it was.

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AnyFucker · 17/05/2020 20:42

DH and I have given up alcohol completely for lockdown as long as it lasts

When every day is the same it felt too easy to start having a drink every night

So, no booze for us until the pubs open fully again. I am enjoying it actually. Even a couple of glasses of wine leaves me a bit fuzzy the next day and I have to be 100% on top of my game at work just now

I am sleeping better and am not missing it at all. I would normally be sat here with my 2nd or 3rd glass of good red. My liver must be pleased, tbh

Ghostonthedancefloor · 17/05/2020 20:42

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

It’s because alcohol is one of the most addictive drugs on this planet.

In response to your question OP, the reason why people drink so regularly, and to ‘relax and unwind’, is because they have fallen into the alcohol trap.

Alcohol removes the ability to deal with the stresses and strains. It actually does. I’m not clever enough to explain the brain processes involved but it literally re-wires your brain so that it doesn’t produce the chemicals necessary to respond to stress and problems.

The more you drink = the more you think you need [alcohol] to cope.

I am 28 days sober today. I was falling deeper and deeper into the trap. Not because I was sad/happy/stressed/angry. Because I was/am addicted to alcohol.

AliasGrape · 17/05/2020 20:42

Pregnant at the moment. But that aside I’ve only been an occasional drinker for quite a few years now. I wouldn’t drink in the week because I teach and I just don’t feel like I can do my job properly if I’ve had a drink the night before. I could maybe get away with one drink but then I don’t really see the point of just one when I’m just as happy with water or a cup of tea.

Up to maybe 6 or 7 years ago I’d drink every weekend, but then more recently we don’t go ‘out out’ every weekend anyway and I lost interest in drinking at home really. Again, it was a ‘don’t really see the point’ thing.

Don’t get me wrong I still (when not knocked up) REALLY enjoy a drink, on holiday say or out for a boozy lunch with a few friends. I just really like the social aspect of it and for me it does enhance a meal out or a night gossiping with my sisters on the rare occasions we get together, but just sitting on my own sofa with a gin or whatever has no real appeal for me.

DH could drink every night and possibly would drink more if I wasn’t around. He knows I don’t particularly like it though and tends to keep it to a couple of times a week. I’ve not told him he has to or anything and I don’t police it, but it’s boring being around someone who is drinking when you’re not. My father was an alcoholic too so I think that’s lowered my tolerance, particularly as we’re about to be parents ourselves. He is also of the opinion that most people drink every night (despite his parents being tea total) but in the case of his close friends that’s probably true.

Flamingodial · 17/05/2020 20:50

@snaga I’d look up the definition of impede....

BertieBotts · 17/05/2020 20:55

I don't know if it's because I had DC young but the only experience I have of drinking is that mad teen/student sort of stage where the point of alcohol is to get absolutely bladdered.

I don't want to get absolutely bladdered so there doesn't seem much other point to alcohol. I don't really know how to do the kind of casual low level everyday drinking people do. My mum never did either when I was growing up so I suppose I have no model for it. Sometimes when we visit people I might have one or two, but to be honest it doesn't seem to make much difference - I'd be just as happy without.

twinkledag · 17/05/2020 22:16

I dint drink every day as I don't like the feeling the next day, I feel brighter without it. I do drink weekly I'd say maybe a couple of glasses at the weekend? Or the odd one here and there in the week.

RiftGibbon · 17/05/2020 22:18

If I have a drink, it's to enjoy the drink, not to get drunk. I very much enjoy a fun and tonic, but I will have just one and savour it.

RiftGibbon · 17/05/2020 22:19

Just spotted autocorrect stepped in. Gin and tonic. Although fun and tonic sounds interesting!

TwatCat · 17/05/2020 22:26

I rarely drink, there's plenty in the house but it doesn't occur to me to drink unless I really fancy it. Special occasions, birthdays, Christmas... that sort of thing. To me it's like crisps... we always have crisps in the house and whilst I enjoy a packet when I have one, it doesn't occur to me to have a packet every day.
I don't need a drink.

LovingLola · 17/05/2020 22:33

I think a drink every day is an unhealthy habit so I wouldn’t do that. We would have alcohol at the weekend.

okiedokieme · 17/05/2020 22:36

I don't drink everyday because it's full of calories, I'm picky (expensive tastes) and I know it's not good for my liver. We tend not to drink Monday- Wednesday and often only have one glass of wine or one g&t on other nights. Since lockdown we have drank on weekdays more though but no trips to the pub where we would drink more in an evening

PurpleDaisies · 17/05/2020 22:38

I like a drink but every day is expensive and not good for weight or liver.

IncyWincyGrownUp · 18/05/2020 00:21

I drink maybe three times a month. Since lockdown started I’ve shared a bottle of rekorderlig and a curry with my daughter, and had a gin and tonic while reading a new book.

I prefer to drink in company, hence the infrequent drinks. I wouldn’t drink every day, I prefer coffee.

Aclh13 · 18/05/2020 02:42

I accidentally started drinking almost everyday when I quit smoking and 'smoking' while at uni, it's hard but aive tried to control it, I only drink during lockdown when watching something funny or on video chats with friends, I think it became a problem because of my mental health issues.

Muppetry76 · 18/05/2020 04:34

I did the student drinking at Uni and I've worked in several pubs so I'm not some sort of booze nay-sayer.

But since then it's just not been part of my routine. Didn't drink while pregnant or bf (so nearly 3.5 years out of 5). Need to be able to sort my kids out in an emergency as ex was the drinker.

Same as I don't buy cigars, or aubergines or nappies or frozen beans in my weekly shop, booze just isn't something I consciously seek out in the supermarket.

I like being able to drive home after a night out rather than waiting for and financing a taxi.

That said, there's nothing like an icy cold drink in a sunny beer garden...

Hopefulhen · 18/05/2020 04:54

I currently drink nothing because I’m pregnant but prior to this I tried to only drink 1-2 nights per week on the weekend. I am a binge drinker and I really looked forward to the evenings when I could indulge so daily drinking would have been destructive for me because I struggle to stop.
In my early twenties I only drank occasionally and usually only on nights out. By the time I was in my mid twenties, living with friends and working full time I fell into the habit of midweek drinking and regular binges. I can only blame myself but having a few friends with the same tendencies definitely helps facilitate this. It’s great for your husband that you’re not also inclined to drink or he may be drinking a lot more.

Confusedaboutthis01 · 18/05/2020 05:00

I don’t because I hardly drink at all really. I’ll only drink if meeting up with Friends for the evening or going for a nice meal (very rare).
I think drinking every day isn’t great thought, just based on the fact that it is really bad for your health to do that. Some people have a couple to wind down from the day, but that’s association in itself is unhealthy in my opinion. Having a drink to relax can be a slippery slope for some people, not saying this is the case with your partner.

Reginabambina · 18/05/2020 05:01

I rarely drink. Usually do it when out with others for a drink. Everyone in our family except BIL is the same. Most of them are very intense people (super duper fit, have really intellectual hobbies, demanding careers/have their own business etc) so they can’t really afford waste time feeling tipsy/less than fabulous. I just stupidly picky about what I drink and can’t be arsed to make perfect ice/mix cocktails etc.

SquirtleSquad · 18/05/2020 05:08

I don't drink at all. Haven't since I found out I was pregnant the first time.
DH drinks a lot. It puts me off because he drinks so much and also think it's best someone hasn't been drinking when we have 3 kids 4 and under.

Aclh13 · 18/05/2020 05:16

I'm still struggling to quit, I don't particularly love drinking but my ocd affects my routines massively. I hope one day to never drink again. To all of you lot who haven't ever struggled you aren't helping

Original poster
Longroadforgotten · 18/05/2020 05:49

It seems then most people aren't every day drinkers. For me the health aspect is one issue but not one I'm overly concerned with. I think mine is what does drinking bring to the table which is missing from his life. But I'm looking at this with my eyes and not his. By the responses here he just likes a drink in the evening.

OP posts:
Natsku · 18/05/2020 05:54

The only people I know that drink daily have drink problems (but I don't live in a country where a glass of wine with dinner and then nothing more is a normal way of drinking so the people that drink daily aren't doing that, they're drinking too much daily)

I felt it creeping on with me so I did dry Jan and then dry Lent. I have difficulties stopping at just one so daily drinking would be very very bad for me.

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