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Original poster

Does anyone know they drink too much....but don't care? 🤷‍♀️

85 replies

PunchitBishop · 15/06/2022 14:09

Hi,

Just wondering this. I'm not one of them. I do drink too much, but I do care. Typical 'middle class drinker' I suppose. Don't drink to get drunk. Just drink wine mostly, not every day, but definitely too much at the weekends. Certainly more than the RWA.

I go from really worrying about it and consider going teetotal, to thinking life's too short, it's my only real vice etc.

I've noticed a lot or my friends have split between two categories in recent years - pretty much don't drink at all anymore or drink way too much. I do have a friend who genuinely doesn't care and gets very irritated if people interfere with her lifestyle. Again, she doesn't get drunk, may have seen her tipsy a few times, but that's it. In a way, I kind of admire her for just saying, "no, I'm an adult and I love a few glasses of wine, leave me alone".

I know there are health risks, premature aging etc, which is why I'm often at war with myself, but I did wonder how common my friends attitude is now...so thought I'd come on here 🙂

Thanks.

OP posts:
Afterfire · 15/06/2022 16:47

*tee total

crabbitmaw · 15/06/2022 17:09

I'm 35 and have recently decided to try a period of being teetotal. I don't believe I'm an alcoholic but I do believe I have got into a bad habit of drinking regularly through the week to a point that makes me uncomfortable. Hitting 5pm and checking my watch to see how long I need to reasonably hold off.
A massive part of my concern is the calories. I really struggle to lose weight but when I put thought into it, I can easily consume 3000+ calories a weekend on alcohol alone. Not to mention the snacks that I lose all willpower to deny myself of after a few drinks.

I'm going to try a few months off it and so how I fare. Interested to see how it pans out.

StillMedusa · 15/06/2022 17:30

I drink too much.. generally two glasses a night, though some days it's just the one. I gave up for a while to 'weekends only' but it didn't help me sleep, and I didn't look any better for it. And.. frankly, I enjoy it. I don't get drunk, I get up fine, I'm veggie, I dog walk, I'm not overweight...and frankly I enjoy it!

I am fully aware it's not the best for me, but it's my self reward for surviving another day at work . Plus I have no will power. Luckily two IS my limit!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
User48751490 · 15/06/2022 17:33

I am fine with a thimble full at Christmas - tee total rest of the time.

TheFlis12345 · 15/06/2022 17:35

I am in my early 40’s and in the ‘drink more than I should but don’t care’ camp (as are many people I know). I eat very healthily, drink loads of water, am naturally slim with good skin, do daily exercise, can handle my booze and rarely get hangovers, have never smoked or taken drugs and I just really like wine!

ElvisWife · 15/06/2022 17:47

Since my son died, I definitely drink too much, almost every night. I don't care, it helps to numb the pain. It's my business no one else's. My family would be shocked and probably disgusted if they knew how much i really drink.

MissyCooperismyShero · 15/06/2022 17:54

ElvisWife · 15/06/2022 17:47

Since my son died, I definitely drink too much, almost every night. I don't care, it helps to numb the pain. It's my business no one else's. My family would be shocked and probably disgusted if they knew how much i really drink.

So sorry Elvis Wife. I would be the same x

Afterfire · 15/06/2022 18:05

ElvisWife · 15/06/2022 17:47

Since my son died, I definitely drink too much, almost every night. I don't care, it helps to numb the pain. It's my business no one else's. My family would be shocked and probably disgusted if they knew how much i really drink.

❤️💐I don’t think anyone can blame you for doing this. You do whatever you need to cope.

TomAllenWife · 15/06/2022 18:11

I absolutely drink too much, as does DP
We normally manage mon-weds without but then are very social and attend events that are lots of free food & drink

I'm not fussed on wine though. I'd rather drink pints of lager or vodka & soda

TomAllenWife · 15/06/2022 18:12

So sorry for your loss @ElvisWife
I think the majority of people would be exactly the same

cantthinkofabetterusername · 15/06/2022 18:25

I'm 40 and definitely drink too much, I could easily drink a bottle of wine a night. I've decided to keep it to weekends only though now, mainly due to money and weight

Summerwhereareyou · 15/06/2022 18:33

40s drink too much, ebry time i am back on it I find it harder to control.
I've managed to stay off about 5 weeks /8 weeks now. I've definitely lost weight and my face is much less puffy.

I will drink again but for me it's about break that habit.

I'm enjoying the non alcoholic version of things Also

SilverPeacock · 15/06/2022 18:36

It was the hangovers that eventually made me stop drinking. I wouldn’t care other than that but I couldn’t tolerate making myself unwell.

Titsywoo · 15/06/2022 18:50

I'm 43 - the only people I know who are still drinking way over the RWA suffer badly with their mental health. I'm not saying the drink causes that but it makes it a vicious circle. I was drinking way too much myself for several years and my MH was shot. I stopped for a year and dealt with my problems without the crutch of booze every evening. It wasn't easy but it helped a lot and I rarely drink now as I just feel better without it. I do the odd drinking evening with friends of course but I'll never go back to the habit of drinking every evening. I didn't even realise it was an issue for years tbh. But it was not good for me and I became way to reliant on it. Plus the affect it had on my sleep was bad - you don't sleep properly after drinking and poor sleep hugely affects both your physical and mental health.

CompoundV · 15/06/2022 19:04

I gave up for six months last year - didn't intend to just dry Jan rolling from one month to the next. Did not feel amazing, lost a bit of weight which was nice - but I don't care enough about looking size 10 at 50 - my face would look more saggy anyway. Missed drinking so started again - I probably drink over the weekly limit - to be honest I don't want to get that old - seen what it did to my parents, in laws and friend's parents.

RainLover · 15/06/2022 19:04

I definitely drink more than the RWA and no, I don’t care about it. I eat very healthily (no meat, no processed food), exercise intensively daily and I don’t smoke, so in my mind at least, I’m happy with the balance.
Yes I’d be healthier if I drank less, or didn’t drink at all, but I’m ok with that.

LaurieFairyCake · 15/06/2022 19:20

I would LOVE to be able to drink more but sadly fucking menopause has put paid to it - horrific hangovers after 2 glasses/no sleep/look like shit the next day/anxiety - what the fuck is that for?

I'd do anything to be 30 and drink a bottle of red wine Sad

Bloodybridget · 15/06/2022 19:48

Fortunately, I can't drink a lot at a time without feeling ill, but I do have more than recommended amounts. I have stage 4 cancer and honestly I don't think it's the booze that's going to kill me, or even make any difference now.

However, if I were younger and not living with cancer, I would try to cut down.

Fifthtimelucky · 15/06/2022 20:01

I don't drink at all. However I do eat too much chocolate and I don't care about that!

More seriously, I used to know someone who died because of excess drinking. I knew she enjoyed a drink, but had thought she was just the sort of typical 'middle class drinker' that the OP describes.

CheeeeeeeeeeesusChrist · 15/06/2022 20:17

I was an alcoholic for about 30 years and have been tee total for 2 and I'll never drink alcohol again

I started with a glass of wine...then 2...then a bottle then another bottle. Ended up on a bottle of spirits a day

It's a slippery slope

I'm not here to preach as you're all grown ups and are perfectly capable of making your own decisions, but, in my opinion it's a bit of a slippery slope, not for everyone but for some. Especially those with an addictive nature.
It's good that you've posted as it's very interesting to see others opinions

But life is to be lived and things are there to enjoy at the end of the day

(I just thought I'd put my 2 pennyworth in 🙂)

CheeeeeeeeeeesusChrist · 15/06/2022 20:22

Titsywoo · 15/06/2022 18:50

I'm 43 - the only people I know who are still drinking way over the RWA suffer badly with their mental health. I'm not saying the drink causes that but it makes it a vicious circle. I was drinking way too much myself for several years and my MH was shot. I stopped for a year and dealt with my problems without the crutch of booze every evening. It wasn't easy but it helped a lot and I rarely drink now as I just feel better without it. I do the odd drinking evening with friends of course but I'll never go back to the habit of drinking every evening. I didn't even realise it was an issue for years tbh. But it was not good for me and I became way to reliant on it. Plus the affect it had on my sleep was bad - you don't sleep properly after drinking and poor sleep hugely affects both your physical and mental health.

Absolutely spot on with regards to MH

GettingStuffed · 15/06/2022 20:29

I drink roughly 14 units per week normally. I drink more when it's something DH wants to do. Last time we were out for a Saturday lunch he turned quite nasty when I asked for a Pepsi max. I think he's a functioning alcoholic as nothing done for fun is alcohol free.

TheHateIsNotGood · 15/06/2022 20:34

Interesting thread - yes I probably do drink too much - and with much love to Elvis, mine isn't to numb the 'pain' but because it makes my 'boring' life a little bit more interesting, counting myself lucky that I still have a DS to care for.

I don't drink everyday, stick to wine and if my commitments allow for something more interesting, then I prefer not drinking. But interesting things don't happen very often for me. The smoking rollies will probs kill me sooner.

I'll be 60 in Aug, and somehow (I know not how) am still perty darn fit, digging and lifting, and slim. And the bonus is I'm too old to care what I look like.

Oh Elvis, as long as you can keep eating, drink water and lay off the spirits and cider, I hope you can get through your grief before you die of drinking Flowers.

Rubyroseyposey · 15/06/2022 20:37

I used to drink a bottle (sometimes more) daily. Last I had it was on friday. I got to the point where it was just making me feel crap the next day and my skin was suffering. So I have decided to just have it out and not at home. But whatever anyone drinks is really up to them and them alone.

Rubyroseyposey · 15/06/2022 20:39

CheeeeeeeeeeesusChrist · 15/06/2022 20:22

Absolutely spot on with regards to MH

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I agree with this. I am 31, but the daily wine really wasn't doing my MH any favours.

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