Do I have a problem with alcohol?

[Teaaaa]

It’s been playing on my mind and don’t have anyone I feel comfortable enough to talk to about it. I might be just overthinking.

when I was a teen/early twenties I wasn’t a big drinker generally unless I went on nights out. I didn’t think about drinking in the week to be honest.

Mid twenties onwards, and especially since meeting my husband I drink at home in the week as well. He’s a big drinker. I’m late thirties now.

it just seems that everytime I start drinking again, I drink everyday. Not a lot mind, in the week I drink one or two glasses of wine a day, but much more on the weekends.

I think my concern is that when it gets to the weekend, I can’t imagine it without a drink. Last night I had a bottle of wine. I’ve realised I don’t have any wine for this evening, and I’m feeling almost antsy that I don’t. And that now my night will be boring, which is making me feel actually is this a problem?. Even tho all I’m doing is sitting in tonight.

My sister said recently she only drinks once or twice a month and I was amazed. I don’t know if there’s something wrong with me. Sorry for the ramble.

If the prospect of not having alcohol in for your nightly drinking leaves you feeling agitated then yes, you have a problem with alcohol.
It’s good that you are able to recognise that you shouldn’t feel this way and are questioning your relationship with alcohol.

Yeah feeling agitated sounds like an addiction. In what way would your evening be boring without a drink?

Yes that doesn't sound healthy. I'm no expert but I'd gradually try abd reduce the frequency and amount you're drinking.

The problem is I don’t even how my night would be more boring without it now. It doesn’t enhance my life but maybe because it gives me a buzz.

I don’t like how I feel after drinking now anyway, my hangovers are awful. But I don’t stop either.

I think because I don’t drink huge amounts I’ve always thought I don’t but the way I’m feeling without a drink this evening is making me feel uncomfortable and not sure what to do really.

Why would your night be boring just because you haven’t had a drink? Think about it.

I’ve tried cutting back to drinking a few nights a week, but just always end up going back to every day

Yes, I think you are starting to have a problem with alcohol. You might like to think about getting advice from your doctor. You might also like to look at some non alcoholic varieties of drinks, there are lots of very nice ones out there too.

Yes I think that sounds like a problem, or the beginnings of one.

I can easily put away a whole bottle of wine over an evening which I know to some is a lot, but I only drink once or twice a week and prioritise other things over drinking (if I've got something particular I want to do on a weekend morning I just don't drink at all the night before).

It only takes a couple of weeks to break a habit, so maybe do a fortnight dry to begin with and see how you feel? Find something to keep your mind / hands busy on a weekend night at home, a puzzle or a craft maybe?

Sounds more habitual than an addiction. At Xmas or over holidays I drink more than usual and it takes a few weeks to wean off it. Just get used to having a drink.

You're teetering on an edge. If you continue down this path...

The volume will creep up. The reliance will creep up.

How far and how dark it gets may differ, how long it takes may differ, but this is your clear warning alcohol has its black hands wrapped around you.

Heed the warning. Work hard to change this pattern. Learn to enjoy other things to relax.

It’s playing on your mind.
You can’t do without it.
You get awful hangovers but still drink.

All problems.
You call DH a big drinker. Is it more like he’s got a problem and you’ve got sucked in too?

It sounds like it to me a bit. And I tend to lean on the side of "if you think you have a problem you probably do" school of thought.

I'll say this, kicking the habit can be incredibly hard. About 8 years ago I was drinking a lot. Every day I had a drink, couldn't drive as I'd drank (not drunk but over the limit). I then had a day at work I feeling sick due to the drinks the day before and my team leader approached me and asked if I'd stay in the packing bay rather the shop (my old job) as they could smell gin on me (so much for gin not smelling).

I decided then than I had to stop. It was tough but support through the GP helped and I'm pleased to say I haven't drank now (other than one night out with work where I felt awful and regretted it) in about 2 years now. I just say no and genuinely don't miss it anymore.

Good luck OP.

Spend the evening reading Alcohol explained by William Porter

I ditched booze in January and it's a revelation being completely sober and very far from boring.

Then it sounds like you really do have a problem.
I recommend reading this.
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/catherine-gray/unexpected-joy-of-being-sober/9781912023387?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=18123540153&cq_con=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&gclid=CjwKCAjwgqejBhBAEiwAuWHioAShUNOp3nPt8NT29z1c9ckZ27-aFQz10qZ9dTsbJPvmJYOd7O24YhoC3dcQAvD_BwE#GOR008843358

I’m exactly the same, not a massive drinker but more than I should ie 2-3 bottles of wine a week. I really want to stop or get to a point when I can take it or leave it but when it gets to 7pm ish I really crave a glass of wine. For the first time in years I’ve gone a whole week with no wine and I think it’s that ‘wine o’clock time habit’ that’s really hard to break. I’m trying to give myself a treat like a nice bath/pamper, go for a walk etc to see if I can break the habit. Think I need to stop drinking until I don’t have that craving but we’ll see how it goes 😊

How are you doing OP?

I’m starting today with no alcohol. I ended up drinking Saturday and Sunday and felt crap about it. And I didn’t even enjoy it. It’s just habit so going to try and break it today. Take it one day at a time. I’m going to cut back to one/two nights a week. Bought a nice soft drink to have tonight instead