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 6 7 8

Original poster

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:

Snowdrop30 · 30/04/2021 20:34

Sounds like you are developing a bit of a problem here. I'd nip it in the bud - take a complete break for a bit - a month min, maybe more like three. Then reassess. Try Dry is a great app and you could give Sober Spring a go?

GreyhoundG1rl · 30/04/2021 20:43

You're still minimising it by talking about a blameless "couple of drinks".

It's not a couple of drinks. Even the language used shows you're not facing reality.

KILNAMATRA · 30/04/2021 21:52

www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/alcohol/alcohol-fact-sheet Would that motivate you to cool it? Also think about the strength of the alcohol? Like if you were to drink 4% cider or beer, would that give you volume and less alcohol? Like 1 pint is 2 units, 550 mls approximately.. a bottle of Prosecco is 10 units 700 mls approximately..

KILNAMATRA · 30/04/2021 21:52

www.lanarkshirelinks.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/HWL-ALCOHOL-KNOW-YOUR-LIMITS-SHEET.pdf

BastardGoDarkly · 30/04/2021 21:58

I always find these threads a bit of a waste of time for the op.

Some people will look at your drinking habits, and pearl clutch.

Others will think..... meh, its fine.

Honestly op, if its not a problem in any way to you and your life, I wouldnt worry, but you are worrying, so maybe you yourself aren't happy with your level of control?

RampantIvy · 30/04/2021 22:01

In this case the so called pearl clutching is justified. I drink, but not the worrying amounts the OP drinks.

clpsmum · 30/04/2021 22:08

@Getafuckinggripman good luck you can do it. Concentrate your energies on other things. You've had a bad twelve months but be positive, the next twelve will be better. Onwards and upwards, you got this x

Original poster

Getafuckinggripman · 30/04/2021 22:13

Guys I know I've "played hard" lately. Much too hard. I'm 36 years old and I've absolutely fucking caned it for the last 12 months. I know criticism isn't always soft, but please bear in mind I am a decent, caring person who just has too much to handle. There are tears dripping off my chin right now. Bollock me, but please be tender.

OP posts:

GreyhoundG1rl · 30/04/2021 22:15

Honestly op, if its not a problem in any way to you and your life, I wouldnt worry
I don't think op needs advice like this, when the volume of alcohol she drinks is objectively worrying.

GreyhoundG1rl · 30/04/2021 22:16

@Getafuckinggripman

Oh, op

. I'm sorry.

GingerBeverage · 30/04/2021 22:35

You can change it starting now. Buy the books, read the support threads, start understanding the mechanism of your dependancy and you can and will take control of your body and mind again.
Relying on a drug during times of stress is common, but there are always stresses in our lives and once we start finding reasons to self-medicate we will never really run out.
Empower yourself with knowledge and the support of others. Be open about it.
You have already started.

FlibbertyGiblets · 30/04/2021 22:37

@Getafuckinggripman

Tomorrow will be the start of a new way of living for you.

I am sorry you've had a tough year, did you want to explore that with us or maybe park it for now, there are so many posters on here with a wealth of experience and wisdom. Just lean out of your window and shout, so to speak.

clpsmum · 30/04/2021 22:49

@Getafuckinggripman sending hugs op

SparklingLime · 30/04/2021 23:05

You’re definitely not alone in asking these questions. I think a really good way of starting again for you could be Annie Grace’s Alcohol Experiment:
thisnakedmind.com/blog-the-alcohol-experiment/

SparklingLime · 30/04/2021 23:07

Also a read through some of these threads could be really helpful and supportive, even if you don’t want to give up entirely:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4220600-The-Freedom-Thread-for-those-embracing-a-life-without-alcohol

Mmn654123 · 30/04/2021 23:18

You absolutely can turn this around!

Get busy with other things. Change your routine.

Years ago I got into a habit of going for drinks after work with colleagues - we were a young crowd, it was fun. Lovely wine bar near work, back when we could all sit chatting and smoking and putting the world to rights over many bottles of wine. But it became most evenings.

I was working late one evening and I suddenly realised I wanted a drink and was thinking about who was around to go to the wine bar. Not going because there was a few people to socialise with but looking to see who was there so I could have a drink.

It gave me a fright.

I didn’t stop drinking entirely forever but I cut right back. Soft drinks for about three months, stopped going for drinks after work, sorted out in my head why I was going out so much and why I didn’t want to go home (!) and that was that. That was 20 years ago. Now I drink maybe once or twice a month.

You’ve noticed the slippery slope. Now grab something before you fall.

Isadora2007 · 30/04/2021 23:39

@Getafuckinggripman you’re getting a grip so to speak. So don’t get upset. Now here’s a wee exercise to do for when things get tough. Write yourself a letter telling yourself why you want to change.

Dear me. It’s 30/04/21. I’ve decided to try to change my drinking habits by...

Not making changes would negatively impacting my life in ways such as...

I would currently describe my relationship with alcohol as....

Other ways I could handle my emotions would be...

If I feel like trivialising this in the next few
Weeks I want to remember....

You’ve got this!

RosieLeaLovesTea · 01/05/2021 00:01

I’m like you OP I really look forward to my bubbles on the weekend. But it’s usually 2 bottle between fri-Sun and possibly 1-2 cocktails.

lolacola77 · 01/05/2021 00:05

Fuck it! If you're enjoying it and managing your life then I wouldn't beat yourself up about it. There's too much hysteria about alcohol.

NeverRTFT · 01/05/2021 00:21

It's clearly a crutch for you. You say you don't get shakes like that's proof there's no real problem here. But the boredom you describe when not drinking is a classic sign of alcohol dependence.
I'm a similar level to you and I have to watch it. Like you, I know it's not totally ok. You know that, otherwise you wouldn't have posted this. You need to keep an eye on it and understand why you drink (what feelings are you soothing/ avoiding). As a PP said, it's a slippery slope.

Throwntothewolves · 01/05/2021 00:22

When you say things like you find it 'boring if you don't have a drink when you normally would, or cracking a bottle open at 5pm to take the edge off, you sound like you have a psychological dependency on alcohol. That coupled with your obvious binge drinking issue is a dangerous combo.
This is how my ex raging alcoholic h started. Time to take action OP. Find something else to fill the you normally drink and to occupy your attention so you don't become 'bored' (P.S. it's not actually boredom when you really think about it, is it?

NeverRTFT · 01/05/2021 00:28

OP I have actually RTFT now and I'm glad this thread has helped you. You know what's right, that's why you came here to ask. You knew you needed to hear this. Good luck OP

amusedtodeath1 · 01/05/2021 01:01

I had a friend once. We met in the pub, I was a Friday Nighter, but when I split from H, I went more to avoid him. I got to know this lovely, silly, funny man. He used to just drink at weekend, then he started going for a pint after work. A pint become till the pubs shut. A pint became spirits. He never drove when drinking, he was adamant about this.

Then he started drinking at home and hanging out with other people who drank a lot. When anyone mentioned it, he would say " at least I'm not as bad as xxxx". Then he told me laughingly that he drove drunk and I told him it wasn't on, that he could have killed someone. He cut me off, part of me wishes I hadn't said anything, but it was a reaction. He tried to get help but only stopped drinking when his Liver failed. He lost so much weight, he couldn't walk, was in a wheelchair. He gave up the drink, they gave him a knew Liver. Three years later he died from Liver failure, his second liver, they, quite rightly wouldn't give him another. He died, alcohol addiction did that to him.

I'm not qualified in anyway to judge if you're an Alcoholic or not OP, but if there's any chance you might be going that way, please, please address it now. Let my lovely friends tragic waste of life and organs be a warning for you.

Good luck OP

GreenSlide · 01/05/2021 01:55

You're on the right track with your thinking OP, drinking becomes a habit that builds and builds, weekends get longer and before you know it you're drinking Thursday-Sunday, then every day, it's not just you. We all need to take a step back every now and then to assess our intake and plan new habits that don't involve alcohol, and cut it right back. You can do it

Gothichouse40 · 01/05/2021 01:58

If drinking is affecting, your job, health, or relationships with other people, it's time to get help.

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.