Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I drink every single Friday night...

37 replies

BullysSpecialPrize123 · 01/12/2023 17:56

And occasionally drink again on a Saturday lunchtime with food. 15 units on a Friday night (bottle and a half of wine) and then I'll sometimes finish the other half on a Saturday lunchtime (sometimes I can't be bothered and throw it away). So 20 units per week. Throughout the rest of the week I don't drink or even think about it. It's a routine I've stuck to for years and I'll be honest I really bloody enjoy it and start to look forward to it when I'm at work on a Friday afternoon after a long week.

Is this common?! I'm 40. No driving or childcare involved.

It's almost always on my own but not because I'm depressed or anything I just genuinely love my own company and can't be bothered making conversation with people when I'd rather just listen to music by myself. Sometimes I'm pretty pissed and sometimes I'm not, depends what I've eaten I suppose...

OP posts:
AllProperTeaIsTheft · 01/12/2023 17:58

Well... it's enough to qualify as not very good for you, but it's undoubtedly a pretty common way and amount to drink. It's pretty similar to how I used to drink, but I don't any more.

MissConductUS · 01/12/2023 17:59

Try stopping for a few weeks and see how that feels.

ThreeRingCircus · 01/12/2023 18:19

Hmmm, it's a tricky one. I wouldn't drink a bottle and a half of wine in one night just myself... I personally think that's a lot however I'll have one or two drinks probably four nights a week, so likely the same amount of units but spread over more days (which I don't think is great either.)

Could you try cutting down a bit and having one bottle of wine on a Friday and not opening the second bottle?

Original poster
BullysSpecialPrize123 · 01/12/2023 18:27

Yeah that's the thing I prefer to just have it all in one go to be honest. If you're going to do it you might as well do it! What's the point in having one drink?!

OP posts:
Tighginn · 01/12/2023 18:27

Congratulations.

SpamFritterSandwich · 01/12/2023 18:30

I always drink on a Friday and Saturday night and sometimes on a Sunday if there's any left. So that's generally a bottle. I might have a whiskey or rum at some point too during the weekend/ week. So I dunno, your drinking seems ok I guess to me.

Tiddlywinkly · 01/12/2023 18:31

I drink every weekend, usually Friday, Saturday and Sunday, occasionally just 2 nights. Totally about 12 units.

I would say that's quite a lot to drink on one night and is definitely hitting the definition of binge drinking. If you're looking to reduce, maybe you could start by sticking to one bottle of wine?

Waitingfordoggo · 01/12/2023 18:31

It is a bit too much I think. Over recommended weekly units and presumably qualifies as a binge as it’s lots of units in one sitting. I used to drink like that but stopped 12 years ago and feel much better for it. (I’m not completely teetotal but I don’t binge drink any more and don’t drink often).

What you’re doing is isn’t ideal for your health but probably extremely common.

Ficklebricks · 01/12/2023 18:35

From drinkaware.co.uk

"The NHS defines binge drinking as 'drinking heavily over a short space of time'. Another way of thinking about it is 'drinking to get drunk'. More than 8 units of alcohol in a single session for males, or more than 6 units in a single session for females is the technical definition"

I think it would be different if you spread it out but all in one go like that can be hard on the liver.

PlipPlopChoo · 01/12/2023 19:08

2 glasses Friday and Saturday are enough for me.

ThreeRingCircus · 02/12/2023 07:32

BullysSpecialPrize123 · 01/12/2023 18:27

Yeah that's the thing I prefer to just have it all in one go to be honest. If you're going to do it you might as well do it! What's the point in having one drink?!

Well, because you like the taste of alcohol but don't want to feel rubbish the next day. It sounds like you're drinking with the purpose of getting tipsy/drunk and with that amount would qualify as a binge.

How would you feel if you stuck to one bottle of wine? If that makes you feel anxious then I'd say you do have an issue.

FrightenedPanda · 02/12/2023 07:45

You want to feel tipsy/drunk and you do not mind doing it alone so yes I would say you have an issue.

A lot of alcohol consumption is really self medication but most people only consider alcoholics to be people that can’t function or who are living in the streets and clearly drinking themselves to death.

Promise yourself a weekend with zero alcohol and see how that makes you feel.

HNY2023 · 02/12/2023 07:47

Try buying half bottles and see how that works … more expensive usually but less wine.

PerspiringElizabeth · 02/12/2023 07:48

I’d say it’s a lot. But then I eat chocolate every day without fail. Show me someone without a vice/coping mechanism!

piscofrisco · 02/12/2023 07:53

I think that that's actually fairly regular drinking in real life. You won't find many people that admit it on here but lots of my friends drink like that.

Sammysquiz · 02/12/2023 08:15

BullysSpecialPrize123 · 01/12/2023 18:27

Yeah that's the thing I prefer to just have it all in one go to be honest. If you're going to do it you might as well do it! What's the point in having one drink?!

But what’s the point of drinking a bottle and a half? Surely you’re not tasting/enjoying it by the end?

Ollifer · 02/12/2023 08:25

ThreeRingCircus · 02/12/2023 07:32

Well, because you like the taste of alcohol but don't want to feel rubbish the next day. It sounds like you're drinking with the purpose of getting tipsy/drunk and with that amount would qualify as a binge.

How would you feel if you stuck to one bottle of wine? If that makes you feel anxious then I'd say you do have an issue.

Show quote history

I think if a lot of people are honest they wouldn't choose the taste of alcohol over other drinks, many many people drink alcohol to enjoy themselves/relax/get tipsy. Hence why people drink at social events and parties. It's not really because people love the taste of vodka/wine.

I also don't think it matters if op is drinking alone. She lives alone, and it doesn't change the health implications if she's drinking alone or with someone else!

mindutopia · 02/12/2023 09:07

I think it’s relatively common, yes. Actually, I think for a drinker in their 40s, you probably drink less than most. Most people i know drink Friday/Saturday/Sunday and maybe during the week. I don’t drink at all anymore but I certainly used to drink most days. At this age, most people are drinking at home, some of them alone, because that’s how they spend their free time.

So no not at all unusual, but if you aren’t happy with it, then life will most likely be better if you stop. Alcohol isn’t designed to relax us or help us sleep or to make us feel happy. It’s designed to get us to drink more of it, which is why most people end up drinking more than they’d like to. That said, now that I don’t drink, I don’t really miss it (and I’ve lost a stone too!).

twobluechickens · 02/12/2023 09:43

I used to drink like this in my 20s and 30s. In the end, the worsening hangovers made me stop and also the self-loathing at having lost yet another precious weekend to lying around feeling shit. I still drink, but I have a glass instead of a bottle, or I have a beer.

@FrightenedPanda Promise yourself a weekend with zero alcohol and see how that makes you feel.

I think this is really important - now my response is "meh, couldn't care less, or great! I will be up and about early, feeling fresh(ish)" but back then I would have felt a bit anxious, or like it wasn't going to be a good weekend. It will tell you a lot about why you're drinking.

ItAintGonnaGoDownEasyIfItAintCheezy · 02/12/2023 09:47

A bottle and a half is what, 4 glasses? That's sod all tbh.

I rarely drink anymore but when I do, I buy two bottles. I drink them both too. I have started buying a lower alcohol one though, but I've got a normal bottle and a low alcohol (7.5%) one in the cupboard atm, that I'm considering drinking tonight.

A few drinks on a Friday or Saturday is normal, and op does not sound like an alcoholic like some have implied 🙄

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/12/2023 09:55

I drink most Friday and Saturday nights but mostly if I am out socialising. I only drink very very moderately if I am at home/on my own, not through any deliberate effort, I just don't find solo drinking that fun.

So last night Mr Monkey and I went out to couple of pubs after a day in town shopping. I had two and a half pints of beer.

Tonight we are in and I may have one glass of wine or a beer with my dinner depending on how I feel. Mr Monkey does not drink at home at all.

Regular heavy drinking on your own is one to keep an eye on.

Limer · 02/12/2023 10:00

That's a lot for one evening.

Try replacing the wine with something from the adult soft drinks section, there are some delicious tonic waters, lemonades, alcohol-free spritzers etc. Jazz up with slices of orange/lemon/lime. It still feels like a treat drink, and is much better for your health and bank balance!

Janieforever · 02/12/2023 10:04

I think as you enjoy it it’s fine, sure over the healthy limit but it’s not like you’re downing a bottle a night. Very few people can judge, if it’s not booze, it can be food, smoking, drugs, that someone over indulges in and is unhealthy. Few people are paragons who can rush to judge.

Changingplace · 02/12/2023 10:06

Sammysquiz · 02/12/2023 08:15

But what’s the point of drinking a bottle and a half? Surely you’re not tasting/enjoying it by the end?

Show quote history

Why on earth would you not be tasting or enjoying it by the end?

OP I think that’s a pretty normal amount to drink over a weekend tbh, I don’t every weekend but when I do yeah I drink that no bother & wouldn’t feel rough.

Plenty of people on here are of the mindset that you must only drink a small sherry at Christmas or you’re a raging alcoholic, but in reality I think the amount you’re having is very normal for a lot of people.

TheCadoganArms · 02/12/2023 10:08

HNY2023 · 02/12/2023 07:47

Try buying half bottles and see how that works … more expensive usually but less wine.

I travel to france quite a bit and tend to buy boxes of wine and have got into the habit of having one or two glasses and leaving it at that. There is a weird relationship with bottles of wine in this country and a general inability to not 'finish off' said bottle in one sitting. I think this stems from the cost of wine in pubs and restaurants whereby a couple of glasses of wine are nearly the same price as a whole bottle so folk tilt towards a more economical purchase.

Swipe left for the next trending thread