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Original poster

Potential TW: Hoping to build up my alcohol tolerance for the Christmas party

49 replies

Pigeotto · 07/11/2023 09:12

Has anyone done this successfully? I know I could not drink but let’s be honest that’s not going to happen and not how real life works. Blah blah blah. It’s London, at Christmas time.

My plan was to gradually get up to three glasses of wine. It’s just an evening meal so not too bad but I have to parent the next day and I can’t do it hungover again. Does anyone relate or am I just being weird? Don’t really drink usually and the last work party I went way too hard.

OP posts:
Manadou · 07/11/2023 09:13

Great idea! I'm starting this week.

Pinkitydrinkity0 · 07/11/2023 09:16

I know this isn’t what you what to hear but it’s actually very easy to not drink or only have one drink.

Legomania · 07/11/2023 09:16

To be able to drink three glasses of wine without...? Noticing? Falling over?

PTSDBarbiegirl · 07/11/2023 09:17

Unless you are overwhelmed with the desire to drink at a work party I'd just sack it off and maintain MH by not drinking! At least you'll be OK the next day!

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 09:17

Is there a reason why you can't stop at your limit?

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 09:18

I know I could not drink but let’s be honest that’s not going to happen and not how real life works

Newsflash: plenty of people don't drink, or don't drink more than they're comfortable with.

Original poster
Pigeotto · 07/11/2023 09:20

Without throwing up the next day and being marginally functional is my main aim 😬 I really enjoy a glass of red wine though but then you know when you’re one glass in and having so much fun. Maybe it’s just a me problem

OP posts:
GwenGhost · 07/11/2023 09:20

Just have one glass of wine and then swap to soft drinks. The hangover is not worth it. No one else cares if you have one drink or five as long as you don’t give a lecture about the evils of alcohol or vomit all over the bathroom floor/taxi stand.

Londonscallingme · 07/11/2023 09:21

Manadou · 07/11/2023 09:13

Great idea! I'm starting this week.

I’ve been working on this for a while now, probably about 20 years 😂

Laurdo · 07/11/2023 09:21

Alternate between wine and water. Or see if they have a lower alcohol wine.

RoseAndRose · 07/11/2023 09:24

I doubt anyone would want to give advice on how to drink more heavily for 6 weeks or so, just so you can have 3 drinks on one day at a party.

Have the extra booze on the day, with a soft drink between each one, a large glass of water before bed and another one beside your bed.

Or just don't drink so much and space it out (eg 2 drinks with softies between)

Londonscallingme · 07/11/2023 09:24

Sorry OP but this is a crazy idea. Don’t drink more than you normally would in the run up to a Christmas party because your worried about having a hangover. If you really don’t think you can manage to stop after a couple just arrange childcare for the following day and be done with it.

Paperbagsaremine · 07/11/2023 09:24

Do they not have low alcohol beer at the party for those driving back?

I've been out at a couple of events this past week which had low alcohol beer and wine available. The Freixenet 0% was very nice, I thought!

Londonscallingme · 07/11/2023 09:26

Paperbagsaremine · 07/11/2023 09:24

Do they not have low alcohol beer at the party for those driving back?

I've been out at a couple of events this past week which had low alcohol beer and wine available. The Freixenet 0% was very nice, I thought!

Good idea. I’ve never had a good alcohol free wine (not tried the one you suggest though) but there are loads of very nice AF beers these days though. I’m 37 weeks pregnant so have had months on the stuff.

Original poster
Pigeotto · 07/11/2023 09:26

The problem is I don’t really drink anymore so I have absolutely no buffer. I guess if I had one glass then switched to soft drinks but could know that I could handle two just in case might be a plan then.

I also actually have quite big plans the next day with baby. Not that you have to justify but you end up doing it don’t you. Or at least I feel like I do. I was such a big drinker pre baby though and always the one that was like “let’s do shots!” so it’s a bit of a weird transition personally for me to make at work do’s.

Anyway we all grow up I guess💕Thanks guys, made me feel a bit better about this

OP posts:
crackofdoom · 07/11/2023 09:31

I would advise 1 glass of wine at the beginning of the evening. Glass of soda water, glass of A/F wine, another glass of "proper" wine two thirds of the way through the evening, another glass of soda water of A/F wine ...and then it'll probably be home time.

IdealisticCynic · 07/11/2023 09:33

I find this a bit odd. Why would you choose to drink more to “train” for a party of you don’t generally want to have a drink? It costs more money, will have an impact on your sleep and health - not to mention calorie intake - and you’d choose that so you can more easily have three glasses of wine at one dinner?

It really not hard to drink less at a party. Alternatively drink as you did and you can easily get through one hungover day - instead of several which you might end up doing while trying to build up your tolerance.

TooOldForThisNonsense · 07/11/2023 09:37

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 09:18

I know I could not drink but let’s be honest that’s not going to happen and not how real life works

Newsflash: plenty of people don't drink, or don't drink more than they're comfortable with.

This.

This is madness OP.

I’m going to have my third Christmas alcohol free this year and it’s perfectly doable, work dos and all.

Get a glass of fizzy water and no one will tell it’s not a G n T.

as an aside workplaces need to get a grip of sober shaming. Not drinking is as perfectly a valid choice as drinking and it should be respected.

Legomania · 07/11/2023 09:38

I switch to beer if I start to feel too drunk. Obviously it's weaker than wine but also harder to neck it, especially if you drink from the bottle

(I also discreetly pre-eat as the snacks seem to come out way too late for me)

yellowsmileyface · 07/11/2023 09:39

It takes time to build up a tolerance. You'd basically have to start drinking every night which would be really silly and irresponsible!

My best advice for avoiding a hangover, have a glass of water or soft drink in between wines, and have another big glass of water before bed, and eat something with carbs like toast before bed to soak up some of the alcohol.

PinkRoses1245 · 07/11/2023 09:40

Sorry but this seems odd and unhealthy. Have one glass of wine, then a soft drink or non alcoholic cocktail, then see how you feel.

VeridicalVagabond · 07/11/2023 09:42

I never drink more than one or two glasses at the works do, it's not worth the potential fallout of making a tit of yourself.

I'll have a glass of wine then stick to lime and soda or ginger ale, maybe a beer a little later in the evening or small glass of fizz.

millymoo1202 · 07/11/2023 09:43

Don’t drink wine is my advice, it’s the devil. Gin or vodka with a soft drink between. I feel your pain!

Ellie1015 · 07/11/2023 09:46

3 glasses if wine is risky for me. I could have 3 glasses and be fine or be drunk so at a work do i wouldn't drink more than one wine. I find gin and lemonade, Kopperberg or vodka/diet coke much more predictable and less hangover. Maybe something apart from wine before party to see if any better?

Whataretheodds · 07/11/2023 10:18

If you were to drink water/soft drinks until the food arrives and then have one glass of wine with your meal (if you fancy it) then back to water/soft is there actually anyone there who would say anything about it?
And if they did, would you not just laugh and carry on as you are?