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Original poster

How much do you drink, honestly

187 replies

Cluelessat33 · 20/04/2023 10:49

As a child from an alcoholic home, I've always been a bit aware of this and my own drinking. But I think it's really easy to be qushonest with yourself. When I lived with my ex and during lockdown, I'd probably have a bottle of beer most nights. I cut that a few years ago because living on your own I think its a slippery slope. I generally don't drink during the week. If I'm at home on a weekend I may have 3 or 4 at most over the course of a weekend. If I'm with friends or family I probably hit the recommended weekly unit limit. I enjoy the taste of it but rarely drink to get drunk. But of course it us something probably more aware of than others.

Among my friends I generally have two extremes. Some people who drink most nights and some who rarely have a drink at all. So what is normal?

OP posts:
Billyhargrovesmullet · 20/04/2023 11:48

I haven’t had a drink since last May, I don’t like wine so never been one for having a glass on a night

Comedycook · 20/04/2023 11:49

I don't drink. Not quite teetotal but almost. I will have a drink on holiday or on a very special occasion, but that's it. Can't remember when I last had a drink... probably Christmas day. My father was an alcoholic and it killed him. I hate the drinking culture in the UK. It also does your looks no favour...which is another incentive for me to not drink.

17caterpillars1mouse · 20/04/2023 11:49

I don't really drink at all. I might have a few snowballs or a baileys over Christmas or a glass of wine or gun and tonic at a wedding but that's it

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Original poster
Cluelessat33 · 20/04/2023 11:50

@MumLass I understand and I've been there. Separated from husband in the first May of lockdown, and struggled to cope with the isolation, and stress of adjusting to life a single Mum and selling house, buying new house etc. Sending you my best wishes. Its bloody hard.

OP posts:
Truestorypeeps · 20/04/2023 11:51

I don't drink as I don't get any enjoyment out of it. Hate the taste of wine and although it isn't alcohol, coffee too, both seem to be very popular and 'in' at the moment! Rather have a cuppa!

hazelnutlatte · 20/04/2023 11:51

I typically have one alcoholic drink a week, maybe 2, usually a glass of wine or gin and tonic. I don't drink more than this because alcohol really effects my sleep and I like my sleep more than I like drinking.
My husband drinks 1-2 drinks maybe 4 nights a week and I don't consider that excessive.

AwaaFaeHom · 20/04/2023 11:53

Maybe one or two tins of beer a month.

MissyB1 · 20/04/2023 11:54

2 glasses of wine 3 nights a week. Roughly 10-12 units a week.

MumLass · 20/04/2023 11:56

Cluelessat33 · 20/04/2023 11:50

@MumLass I understand and I've been there. Separated from husband in the first May of lockdown, and struggled to cope with the isolation, and stress of adjusting to life a single Mum and selling house, buying new house etc. Sending you my best wishes. Its bloody hard.

Thank you x

Caspianberg · 20/04/2023 11:58

I don’t really drink either. Grew up with parents wasting money they didn’t have down the pub way too often.
It just seems like a waste of time and money.
Im not teetotal, but generally only drink the odd glass out and about a few times a year. I also have young child and have to drive to get home so not many opportunities

CordyLines · 20/04/2023 12:00

I remember a doctor asking me how much I drank per week as part of a general check up. When I said well.... about X, but maybe Y if there is something on etc.

His response was amusing. Hmmm he said, let's double that so. He said that practically everyone understates or underestimates their unit intake and medics will double what people tell them. Well maybe not all, but they are sceptical of the veracity of the intake most people claim!

Thankfully I don't drink at all now. Can't due to meds. Haven't missed it at all. A friend did have a tough time though and paid for private rehab of several weeks and now has a sponsor and goes to meetings. She is doing very well.

Mushroo · 20/04/2023 12:00

Currently none Mon - Thurs (might go to a beer garden if the weather is nice and have a couple of pints).

1 bottle of wine over the weekend max (often will have nothing).

If I’m on a night out (maybe about once a month or so) would have 4/5 pints or equivalent in wine.

pretty average among my friends, maybe slightly higher as most don’t drink at home at all.

SiobhanSharpe · 20/04/2023 12:01

I don't drink nearly as much as I used to when I was working. My job was stressful and when I came home DH and I would share a bottle of wine a few times a week with dinner, during the week, and there would be social occasions most weekends, so probably 20-30 units a week. Not great, although DH would generally have the lion's share of the bottle.
But after I stopped work I lost the impetus and then the taste for most of it. Nowadays I drink perhaps one or two units in a month, or less.
My only problem with this is that GPs etc don't seem to believe me and quiz me closely on my intake, and I can have trouble remembering the last time I had a drink.

Phoebo · 20/04/2023 12:02

Every night about half a bottle

greenlychee · 20/04/2023 12:03

I often go 2-3 weeks with nothing then I might have a week where I drink 2 - 3 nights or even more, a couple of beers per night. Very occasional blow outs. Getting better as I get older.

NashvilleQueen · 20/04/2023 12:05

Lots. But way way less than I did in my 20s/30s.

Usually at least 4 AF days a week
A couple of nights with a glass or so of wine
Two glasses or so plus a spirit or two on a Friday or Saturday the weekends.

If I go out I will drink more but always in a round so usually at the same level and pace as friends.

I know by MN standards I have a significant alcohol problem.

MegaClutterSlut · 20/04/2023 12:15

I only drink 3/4 times a year. Can't stand alcohol that tastes like alcohol so when I do drink, its wkd or hooch 😊 I have friends who drink quite a lot every night, that are trying to cut back

Lioney · 20/04/2023 12:20

I never drink at home. I rarely drink even if I go out.

Itssnotunusual · 20/04/2023 12:23

I drink a little- I may have a pint or two of shandy on a Saturday if I'm watching the local rugby team but that isn't every week.

Maybe once every other month I will buy a bottle of wine and have a small glass every so often till it's gone which maybe takes a couple of weeks. I much prefer a cup of tea or something similar on an evening at home though!

Helpel · 20/04/2023 12:30

I'm always surprised by these threads and how much more i drink than the majority! Compared to my friends i am normal, if something of a lighter drinker! I really think social groups mirror each other a lot. Anyway, I drink at home and socially. Normally a glass or two on Thursday at home to celebrate the end of my working week, between half a bottle and a whole bottle Friday and Saturday - the higher amount if we go out - and then a couple of glasses with a roast or in a garden on a Sunday. 25 units, give or take a couple either side depending on what we're up to. I am always trying to cut down, with limited success.

DanceMonster · 20/04/2023 12:31

Usually 2 bottles of wine per week, spread over Friday-Sunday. Sometimes more if we have guests, or are away on holiday etc. Currently not drinking at all as km
trying to drop a few pounds for a wedding abroad in June. My dad is an alcoholic.

Lakeyloo · 20/04/2023 12:32

3 (sometimes 4 at the weekend) single shots of spirits (use a measure so I know what I'm having) 4 nights a week... Friday, Saturday, Sunday and wine Wednesday/ Happy hump day. Nothing Mon, Tue or Thurs. Pretty much always 14 units a week spread over 4 days.

CrackOfDawn · 20/04/2023 12:38

Before lockdown, maybe 5 or 6 pints of cider in the pub Fri-Sun
Since lockdown, nothing unless we have a gig to go to, then anywhere between 2-30 units, depending who else is there and whether it's a festival etc. I definitely drink a lot more with some friends than others, but rarely anything at home.

JeepersCreeperrs · 20/04/2023 12:45

Zero, honestly.

however my parents both drink every day, as do my husbands parents. My husband thinks this is normal, and also drinks every day.

I just personally think it’s horrid stuff, not in taste, in what it does to your body and can’t see the appeal. I used to drink, but as I’ve got older I don’t see the point. Drinking is for getting drunk, which I have no interest in now I’m no longer 23 with zero responsibilities.

mondaytosunday · 20/04/2023 12:52

3-4 bottles of wine a week. I didn't start drinking at all til I got married at 40, and not as much as I do now until about 10 years ago (I'm 61). I give it up for Lent.
I have a friend who drinks about 12 bottles a week. You wouldn't know it she functions perfectly well and she has such a high tolerance it's not until well into the second that you can tell.