Am I an alcoholic?

[fartasapissed2]

Bravely posting in the Chat function! Starting to worry about my alcohol consumption I’m 24 with one year old, over the past month and a half I’ve been drinking very regularly.

I’ve drunk more in the last month than I have in the last year. Over the last 2 months I’ve averaged a bottle of wine, and the rest , probably 3-4 times a week. It’s come to a head with DP because I’d like to go to AA or NA, he isn’t in agreement that I have a problem.

I enjoy getting home and opening a bottle of wine, DP can work 20 hour shifts so I’m home alone a lot. I’d probably average on my drinking nights, 1 bottle of red and 50cl of spirits. Is this a problem? I’m never hungover and my
child is the deil incarnate.

thanks

Edited to add, my child is far from neglected. Firmly WC to MC, I grew up council, my child enjoys ballet, avocados and blueberries

Id say a moderate drinker

Issue is whether it will escalate

Sorry are you saying you drink 3-4 bottles of wine and 1.5-2 liters of spirits a week?

That's not a moderate drinker, no.

A moderate drinker? That's about 28 units 3 or four times a week! I'm not a thimble of sherry at Christmas drinker, I love a drink, but that is a worrying amount you're drinking @fartasapissed2, I think you probably need to address it, and maybe think about why you're drinking so much, so regularly.

I think you're a heavy drinker, in the danger zone. A bottle of wine is a week's allowance of alcohol for a woman, to drink more than that in one night is really dangerous.
I drank far too much after having my first child too.

You need to completely stop drinking on your own.
Things will get very bad for you if you don't get this under control.

1 bottle of red and 50cl of spirits

This is not moderation. I hardly ever drink alcohol these days but when I did I'd struggle to finish a bottle of wine by myself over a week.

@fartasapissed2 if you feel you need to go to AA then you need to go. You clearly believe you have a problem and that's important.

Your username and lack of awareness of maximum safe units per week are making me doubt your seriousness.

I drink maybe 3-4 times a week. On the days that I drink I will probably have an bottle of wine and maybe half a bottle of gin

I’m aware that the ‘safe’ units pw is about 15. Apologies, was attempting to be funny with the UN

That’s a lot to drink on such a regular basis. Every now and then on a night out is OK but not 3/4 times every week.

If drinking at home is your issue then just don’t buy alcohol. If there’s none in the house you won’t get tempted. It’s a lot easier to get used to than you might think. Much harder to limit a pub habit if that’s your social scene.

I’m not one of the MN “a thimble full is enough” sort of person but I do think 3/4 times a week is skating on thin ice. We normally have between 4 and 6 bottles between us a month, more if on holiday. It sounds like you’re forming a habit and need to pull it back. I’d be really tired of I drank that in a week and it’s not great you’re in charge of a child while consuming that much alcohol imo. It doesn’t matter what class you are.

Imo you’re an alcoholic and yes you need help.

4 bottles of wine is 40 units of alcohol. The recommended max for a woman is 14 units a week. You probably are (or are becoming) a 'problem drinker'. Depending on your genetics and other factors, you could already be storing up liver damage, heart disease or gallbladder issues.

Can you make half a bottle last all evening by layering it? Have a large glass of water or a mug of tea after each glass of wine, so there's a half-hour gap between glasses.

Hint: If you find yourself counting the minutes until you're allowed another glass, you are an alcoholic.

You can stop this in its tracks, though. Nobody actually needs booze. It's a habit, and it 'lies to you' by making you feel like it's a friend. Find better friends. A bag of crisps, a bar of chocolate, a comedy on TV, a few squats or planks, or dancing round the kitchen like a nutter won't kill you. Booze will.

What happens if you stop buying it?

It's awful to be drinking this much as it is bad for your health, a waste a money really and also you are likely still drunk while looking after your child/working/driving. Look up how long a bottle of wine takes to leave your system. It might surprise you.

You put away half a bottle of gin with a bottle of wine several times a week?

Sorry, babe, you're addicted.

They told me in rehab that alcoholism's like a lift that only goes down - a long way down. I was lucky that I got out at a relatively high floor. I strongly recommend stepping out of that lift now, before it takes you down further.

Half a bottle of gin is a lot also, nevermind the wine. God knows how you dont have a hangover. Your child will see the difference between sober and drunk mum. Why has your drinking increased so much?

Agreed. A fimble of port for me, I eat like a bird after all.

Before January though, the last time I’d binge drunk was May the year previous. Not sure what’s beget this for me but I’m constantly pissed all of a sudden. I’m absolutely forming a habit, MIL seems to think I’m suffering from PND, my reality is certainly splitting.

I hope you don’t drive the next morning after all that as it’ll still be in your system

DP works very long hours. I’m struggling to cope with it. I’ve moved hours away, both from mine and his support network. She’s only just turned 1, oblivious I’d hope.

You are on a very dangerous pathway . Despite having a few drinks free nights it's only a matter of time. To drink a bottle a wine plus gin is pretty bad . Especially on your own . You would be legally drunk and your child is in your sole care. Do seek help . Your DH is being unreasonable.

Sorry just saw your child is one. Please seek help, you dont need husbands approval. Especially as your husband does such long shifts and you're alone with a baby, it's not safe consuming so much alcohol - it is a lot by anyones standards. If it is PND, you should talk to someone.

Can I ask why you drunk so much after your first?

You are very young to be drinking so heavily, your body will not be able to cope with that amount of alcohol forever and you are starting the damage very early. It will affect your skin and of course your liver.

I drink maybe 3-4 times a week. On the days that I drink I will probably have an bottle of wine and maybe half a bottle of gin

You are saying that you drink 4 bottles of wine and 2 bottles of gin a week. On a normal week, not on a night out. This is a huge amount.

There are two types of addiction, mental and physical. I suspect that you are not yet physically addicted so stopping is more about changing habits and putting measures in place to help you do that.

Would you be able to go a week without any alcohol at all?

Obligate bus wanker, if that makes it any better

Are you planning on returning to work? Might give you a positive focus which may possibly help, as well as adult company with colleagues etc.