Worried about impact drinking has had on me longer term

[Nc191281]

I’ve always been a big drinker, I dread to think how much I drank at uni and in my 20s. A stupid dangerous amount several times a week.

Anyway a couple of years ago I had my DS and naturally this has massively reduced my alcohol intake but it is still high. I’d say about 18 units a week (usually over Friday - Sunday as I’ve cut out mid week drinking). I rarely drink more than 2 large glasses of wine and I never get hangovers these days as a result. Sometimes I will drink more frequently than this if for example I’m on holiday.

I have health anxiety and I’m really worried about the impact alcohol has had on my body.

Sometimes I feel like I get a dull ache where my liver is if I’ve been drinking, but I never know if that’s in my head due to my anxiety.

I paid privately about a year ago for full livers tests and everything was fine.

I guess my question is am I worrying unreasonably, should I do anything such as cut back even further to help appease the worries.

I often struggle to know whether I should be genuinely worried about something or if t is my health anxiety.

Also I guess I’m asking if this sounds like I have an alcohol problem. I can easily abstain these days but also on holiday I can drink every night.

If your level of consumption is concerning you then yes, it's a problem. Would you feel better if you brought it within the recommended weekly units, or do you want to go further?

@Drybird2020 I guess my normal weekly consumption doesn’t worry me, but I worry whether it’s too late and the damage is done if that makes sense! But yes I guess if I tried to take it to 14 that would help at least

It can never be a bad thing to drink less so why not cut back. Alcohol also makes anxiety worse so it might help you feel less anxious in general if you cut down or stopped.

@Donkeyinamanger good point, I drank more than normal last week so that’s probably why I’m feeling more anxious. Going to have a couple of dry weeks now anyway.

You ask if you're worrying unreasonably. Answer the question for yourself - are you?

If you could choose exactly what you want to drink and stick to it how much would that be and why?

@brightspice Ideally I think I would just drink twice a week rather than three times a week, not sure why it’s so hard to cut that third day (I did manage it this weekend but more often than that I drink Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

I guess the worrying unnecessarily is around whether my previous drinking habits have damaged my liver and body. I used to drink at a really concerning level in my late teens/ 20s and don’t know how to tell what impact that has had or how to mitigate it in the future.

As a former heavy drinker I can confirm my liver is absolutely working perfectly (I've just had all my tests) I've quit for over 3 years.
I guess I won't know any deeper damage unless it arises but I'll never know if there is a causal link so I don't stress about it.
One thing I will say is that it is far far easier to quit completely than to reduce your intake. I managed to quit by reading Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck. I don't miss it one bit.
Remember that there is no safe limit to alcohol and it is now known to be a carcinogen. It has been for some time.

@Nc191281 It's great that you have an idea how frequently you'd like to drink. I'm guessing that you're used to drinking Fri-Sun now? That is the reason why it's hard to cut it back to 2. Because it's habit to drink on all 3. Just something you've got used to doing. Just like you're used to cleaning your teeth twice a day. So knowing that it would make sense that it's going to feel hard at first to cut back drinking to 2 days, yes? It's going to be a case of managing the urges to drink on that day without drinking. It's totally possible just not easy at first.

And with regard to worrying about past drinking... a doctor would be able to tell you about the impact of any potential past damage but you control right now the ability to limit present and future damage by moderating and working to cut back that third day if that's your goal

@Northernsoullover I know many people who moderate their drinking having a glass here or there. This requires some effort on their part by being very conscious about their choice but I completely get where you're coming from that it can be easier to quit entirely. Then you don't have to spend any time thinking about drinking. I've got to this point too in that I just don't want it anymore. It's really weird to say but to me French white wine (which was my absolute fave) is now no different to me than sprouts or steak and kidney pudding - neither of which I enjoy. Still feels like a miracle and something to be celebrated every day and it's a wonderful thing to be able to share with others!