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This is really bad isn't it?

200 replies

Getafuckinggripman · 30/04/2021 15:36

I drink prosecco at the weekend. Probably 3 or 4 bottles spread out from Friday afternoon to Sunday. I don't touch alcohol during the week, never hungover for work, drink loads of water during the week etc. Don't really think about alcohol as I'm in routine etc. It's just a weekend thing. However... I've been off this week and other than one night I've been on it every day. Probably 15/20 units each day. It'll stop when I'm back to normal next week, I don't get the shakes or wake up needing a drink or anything but it'll get to 5pm today and I'll think about cracking one open to take the edge off. If I couldn't physically get any wine I would be a bit pissed off but I wouldn't be licking yesterday's wine glass or anything. I was the same during Christmas week and it stopped as soon as I went back to work. Am I an alcoholic or something?!

OP posts:
Getafuckinggripman · 30/04/2021 16:21

I don't think every day without wine is boring but hands up I admit I do think Saturday nights without wine is boring

OP posts:
SueSaid · 30/04/2021 16:22

'I think you’re the only person who can judge your own relationship with alcohol, and you’ll know how honest you’re being with yourself.'

Binge drinkers are the worst for judging for themselves and are rarely honest about amounts consumed. I think her family and friends are the best people for the op to ask, unless they all drink heavily.

harriethoyle · 30/04/2021 16:22

@Aposterhasnoname they sound lush... have you got a link to them so I know what to look out for?

Rubyrecka · 30/04/2021 16:23

All because you don't get the shakes or are running to the offy at 8am to get your fizz fix doesn't mean you don't have a problem!

You function throughout the week and it goes to pot on the weekend. It's binge drinking.

I was similar until I got pregnant - although it wasn't as much as your drinking- and it was concerning me. I couldn't wait to have a bottle on Friday and it was like that's all that mattered!

People will probably try to minimise it on here as we are a national of alcohol lovers but it's probably not doing you much good mentally or physically.

Spied · 30/04/2021 16:24

You shouldn't need to go on a drive to fill in the time you'd have spent drinking.
You should really be comfortable sitting at home doing what you would be doing just minus the alcohol.
I think you're on the path to alcoholism.
I say this as an ex-drinker (sober almost five years). This is how my alcoholism started.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 30/04/2021 16:25

I think you do have a problem - just look at your responses. Classic denial, but you clearly have an inkling something is wrong or you wouldn't have posted. For starters binge drinking is really bad for you, however healthy you think you are otherwise. There's a phrase in fitness: you can't out train a bad diet. Same with that amount of alcohol.

Sparkling wine is a bad one, especially if there's only you drinking it, because it doesn't keep once opened. Try buying half bottles and drinking a soft drink you like in-between glasses of prosecco. You'll have halved your alcohol consumption without really trying.

Youdontknowwhatyoureonabout · 30/04/2021 16:25

Yes it is really bad. You really should consider cutting down

www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/risks/

There are many long-term health risks associated with alcohol misuse. They include:

high blood pressure
stroke
pancreatitis
liver disease
liver cancer

mouth cancer
head and neck cancer
breast cancer
bowel cancer

depression
dementia
sexual problems, such as impotence or premature ejaculation

infertility

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 30/04/2021 16:26

This does sound like a dependency. I grew up the daughter of an alcoholic and am now the sister of another, so I know the extent to which this substance can blight your life.

I know I have a propensity toward weekend binge-drinking too. 2 bottles of wine adds up to about 18 units, so these days I ensure I don't drink every Friday and Saturday night as I used to, and restrict my intake to a bottle per weekend across both nights (bottle and a half absolute maximum).

I was up to 3-4 bottles a week after my mother died, and this had me worried. I knew if I carried on the way I was going I'd end up an alcoholic, so I binned the drink for several months before taking it up again with a great deal more care. My sibling, on the other hand, progressed into a serious physical addiction and I now live my life in dread of 'that' phone call.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother to drink at all. I'm always morbidly conscious of what I'm drinking, and I watch my own behaviour like a hawk. And yes, given the negative points I do wonder why I do it at all. I managed fine without when pregnant and breastfeeding, and perhaps given my family background I should nix it for once and all. But I do know it isn't any too easy to give up.

You do, absolutely, need to scale it back. I was once where you are now - pretty much exactly where - and I've done it. But I can tell you this much: you'll have to keep a close eye on it for life. Habits like this have an unfortunate habit of creeping back. I'm asking myself (yet again) if it's really worth it.

Good luck.

MMMarmite · 30/04/2021 16:26

You could discuss it with your GP. They could give you an unbiased expert view on whether it's healthy.

SueSaid · 30/04/2021 16:27

What do your family and friends say? Has anyone said you're drinking far too much or do you hide it from them?

Pumperthepumper · 30/04/2021 16:28

@JaniieJones

'I think you’re the only person who can judge your own relationship with alcohol, and you’ll know how honest you’re being with yourself.'

Binge drinkers are the worst for judging for themselves and are rarely honest about amounts consumed. I think her family and friends are the best people for the op to ask, unless they all drink heavily.

That’s what I mean though. The OP is the only one who can evaluate their relationship with alcohol. Her friends and family might not have a clue how much she’s drinking if she’s drinking alone.
camaleon · 30/04/2021 16:29

There is absolutely nobody out there who has no problem with alcohol, questioning if they have a problem with alcohol.

You are asking because you already know. You are reassuring yourself it is not too bad, because you have not become physically dependent (yet).

You are worrying about how much you drink but you cannot cut down. If you could you would have done it already. Many people drink too much forever and damage their health and their lives with alcohol without falling into the stereotype of the 'alcoholic' you have in your mind.

So you may be able to continue with this pattern for ever. I doubt it. The amounts you are drinking suggest you are on the wrong trajectory here. Perhaps the progression is happening very slowly, but it is very possible you drink more now than 3 years ago, and less than you will in 2 years more.

Alcohol is addictive. Some people (for whatever reasons) can use addictive substance for longer without becoming hooked. Most of us can use morphine if needed without any problem whatsoever. But if you consume any addictive substance for long enough and in enough quantity you will become addicted.

Whether you are addicted (physically; emotionally you seem totally hooked already) or not does not change the fact that this is very unhealthy and you are concerned about it.

GreyhoundG1rl · 30/04/2021 16:31

[quote Rubyrecka]@DinosaurDiana

Alcoholics can go without when it suits them.

That's completely incorrect. [/quote]
I don't think it is, actually.

People can be functioning alcoholics, perfectly capable of holding quite responsible positions and working long hours without drinking on the job.
It doesn't make their alcoholism any less real.

Amdone123 · 30/04/2021 16:32

I'm in a similar situation. I can drink 2 bottles of wine on a Friday night, then 2 more on a Sunday. This isn't a regular occurrence, but I can drink 4 bottles a week, depending. It doesn't matter what others think. The fact is you think it's too much. I have to be really careful I don't drink mindlessly, just for the sake of it, just because it's there.
I do consider myself to have a problem. I am working on it. I used to think Friday nights should involve alcohol, yet am not drinking tonight because I'm going out tomorrow, so I can do it.
I agree about the boredom. I gradually am realising that not drinking isn't boring, but bloody hangovers are ! I find I'm better when I'm working so I'm not surprised you've drank when you're off work. I think make a plan for the weekend, say you're only having 2 bottles and have a contingency plan in for when you think you'll cave.
See, I don't have it in. I went to the shop before for tea stuff, and made a determined effort not to buy, because if it's there, I will drink it. I also know I'd feel and look rough tomorrow so I didn't buy any. Wasn't as hard as I thought.

You could join forums to discuss your drinking, Club Soda, Soberistas, both brilliant.

DinosaurDiana · 30/04/2021 16:32

[quote Rubyrecka]@DinosaurDiana

Alcoholics can go without when it suits them.

That's completely incorrect. [/quote]
No it’s not.

Seeline · 30/04/2021 16:32

4 bottles of prosecco is around 36 units

You've also had 15-20 units every day bar one this week so call that another 60 (assuming you are allocating units correctly using proper measures rather than just calling a very large glass 1 unit).

So that's around 66 units.
The advice is a maximum of 14.

Even if you really don't think that's a problem, it really can't be doing your body any good.

FindingMeno · 30/04/2021 16:32

15/20 units a day is one hell of a lot.
And the consumption at a weekend is too much.
You know that though, which is why you've asked!

Ellie56 · 30/04/2021 16:33

Yes this is really bad. Each bottle is around 9 units so 3-4 bottles is 27-36 units which is more than double the recommended weekly limit of 14 units and you're drinking this amount every weekend...

And then when you're off work you're drinking another 15-20 units a day? Shock I don't know how you're still standing.

You are seriously putting your health at risk.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol

Northernsoullover · 30/04/2021 16:33

Forget the alcoholic label. I know it works for many (AA) but looking for a label keeps people overdrinking and embarrassed to seek help. I used to drink too much and now I don't drink at all. I'm an ex drinker or a former drinker Wink no scary labels needed. I read Craig Beck Alcohol Lied to Me and it completely changed my life for the better. Wish I'd read it years ago. Quitting booze was the easiest thing I've ever done when I thought it would be the hardest thing ever.

Getafuckinggripman · 30/04/2021 16:33

My family and friends do not have a clue and I wouldn't tell them - it's embarrassing and I know it's wrong to be drinking this much hence why I'm here. But I would like to have thought it's just a bit of an annual leave binge rather than a serious drinking problem

OP posts:
MindGrapes · 30/04/2021 16:34

OP what would happen if you 'just' had half what you're currently having?

Would you not feel drunk enough, or would you not be drunk for a long enough period of time i.e. start sobering up before you go to bed?

I don't think it's that weird to get a bit pissed on the weekend but this seems way too much in terms of volume of wine- it's like a bit pissed and then a whoooole lot more. Is it a habit once you start, do you need to keep 'topping up'?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 30/04/2021 16:34

@Getafuckinggripman

My family and friends do not have a clue and I wouldn't tell them - it's embarrassing and I know it's wrong to be drinking this much hence why I'm here. But I would like to have thought it's just a bit of an annual leave binge rather than a serious drinking problem
If you are embarrassed by your drinking that is a telltale sign that it's not normal.
JustSleepAlready · 30/04/2021 16:35

You’re not not an alcoholic.

JassyRadlett · 30/04/2021 16:35

I just like my own company and don't always want anyone else's.

But you only like it when you're pissed, and that's the bit that would worry me. You're not comfortable with your own company when you're sober, you find it boring.

GreyhoundG1rl · 30/04/2021 16:36

@JustSleepAlready

You’re not not an alcoholic.
Please don't do that. You really don't have enough information.
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