I'm beginning to suspect that rather a lot of everyday folk who drink alcohol, would actually like to drink less?

[Honeydragon]

I don't drink now, not a drop for just about six years now. Without fail whenever I go on a night out in pubs or bars I do get asked about not drinking. Often, people ask what I do drink etc etc (after demanding to know WHY I don't drink). Nearly every time people say "I'd like to cut down" or "I need to drink less or have a break from drinking).

Let me straight, these conversations as a non drinker don't bother me at all. I'm not a sanctimonious git, I am just a woman who is tee total, and that's it.

But I am surprised in the level of interest people have in being booze free as a life choice, I'm quite interesting and nice (honest I'm not a boring fatty pants) so it's not like the only conversation we can have.

Anyway, in RL it's not like you can go up to people and go, "hello, are you happy with the amount you drink?"

So I'm asking you lot instead?

AIBU to suspect that a sizeable amount of "average" consumers of alcohol would like to drink less?

Yep I'd love to drink less!!! It does get to the point where I feel it controls me rather than vice versa and I do utilise alcohol to regulate my emotions sometimes...if anyone has any words of advice I'd love to hear!

I have one glass red wine 6 nights pw. At weekends might have 2. Thinking should probably drink on less nights but not overly concerned.

I'd actually like to drink more, but accept that I shouldn't for the sake of my health! I gave up drinking on Mon-Thurs nights a while ago, because I'm old and thought I should be worried about my liver. But I absolutely love wine, and if it wasn't for the health concerns would have a glass every night (my limit, except for a major celebration, is two glasses in an evening).

I loathe being drunk, though (more than I loathe the resulting hangover), so even when I was young, once I'd learnt my limits I stuck to them. I've only been drunk enough to throw up twice in my life.

If anything, I'd like to drink more! I enjoy the taste, experience and like trying different drinks. Can't afford it though, I buy a bottle of wine perhaps every few weeks, perhaps longer.

To give context, I'm 29, I hammered alcohol in my early twenties until I became a mother so now rarely drink. Probably drink less as DH is virtually teetotal and is drunk off a sniff of alcohol. I'm sure the drinking habits of those closest to you makes a difference.

I drink on holidays and occasionally when at home, maybe once every few months.

I gave up a couple of years ago because I just felt my drinking was creeping up and it was adding to my expanding waist band. I prefer not drinking much, I hate feeling out of control and that feeling of needing a drink doesn't sit well with me.

EyeSpye

Try lurking on the Brave Babes threads if you want a healthier relationship with alcohol .... They welcome newbies all the time

I'd like to drink more.

I rarely drink in the week.

I had one G&T before a dinner with friends on Thursday and shared a bottle of wine with DH last Friday before that.

I think I average 1-2 units a week at the most. It's not a conscious health decision as such. Going to work - or doing anything on the weekend - is so much harder when you do it through a hangover. And don't even talk to me about the cost- £4.50 for that bloody G&T, ffs!!!!!

At least the wine was inexpensive - British red called Baywood from Lidl. Bloody lovely!!! But don't touch the white unless you want to taste the vilest, driest wine on the planet. The rosé is ok.

In fact now I think of it, I could have almost got TWO bottles of the Lidl red for that one G&T!!

I think Carcer has it. There are lots of things we'd all hypothetically like to do - eat less, clean more, not procrastinate as much... Expressing that doesn't mean they actually feel their relationship with alcohol is unhealthy. They're just making conversation.

OP you sound like someone who had a previous bad relationship with alcohol and is now dry but wants to see that in other people.

I love a nice glass of wine but don't overdo it .

Usual

I only have one a week at the most.

But my husband bought some advocaat and I have had two glasses this evening.

I love the test of spirits, but hate the feeling of alcohol. It just makes my muscles achey and I want to go to sleep.

If I could buy non alcoholic chocolate wine and malibu I would be in bliss.

i enjoy a glad of wine with my roast on a sunday, or on a thursday after a masters lecture that doesn't finish till 8!! but if i go out to a pub or bar i go out to have a good drink with H or friends and intend on having a few to let my hair done for the night.

i love a glass of wine, know that there are calories in it but am not bothered.. so no, i don't wish to drink less at all. but have complete respect in a lifestyle that doesn't inc alcohol!

I rarely drink now. Got into a bad situation the last time I got tables up, and followed through on the 'I'm never drinking agsin', well mostly, as if I'm out a fancy s drink I will have one but no more. Not been drunk since February.

No, I've said in my op, that it's non judgemental, or subjective.

It's a bit rude when people say to you "I'd like to stop drinking" to say "would you really or are just saying that?"

Hence as I stated, I'm asking on here, and I'm glad I did

But as a non drinker plenty of people cast aspersions upon me. Much as plenty of people think vegetarians are lentil weavers, I guess or that vegan parents are practising child abuse.

I should drink less I think. I have about 15 units a week on average.
3 or 4 nights a week.

""I hate being over 40 and bloody love wine""

I'm in the "would like to be able to drink more" camp.

I'm 47 and look shit if I drink more than once a week.

I'm really pleased ( and feel my behaviour can be validated) that I party'd in my 30's.

I'm single, but there's not much worth pulling out there, I really miss drunken flirting, as well.

Y y to drunken flirting

Youth is definitely wasted on the young

Although obviously my op is subjective as I'm relating it to the conversations I have experienced.

I'm a boring old fart when it comes to alcohol. I hate being drunk, have only had 2 hangovers in my life. I drink a couple of units every few weeks or so.

If I go out with friends I alternate alcoholic drinks (cider) with soft drinks and if everyone else has a drink in front of them and I don't fancy one I will sit there without a drink in front of me (which my friends find odd).

I'm quite happy but I don't drink a lot. However I tend to binge drink about once every few months rather than have one or two glasses regularly, though I'm mellowing out as I get older. DH sometimes has a glass or two in the evening, maybe 1-3 times a week if we have an open bottle, but not every week.

For the person who asked why people don't drink the NHS recommended amounts - for me it's boring, seems totally pointless. Basically no effects from it apart from perhaps feeling slightly more talkative and you still get a headache in the morning. I'd rather go all out if I'm going to drink, alcohol doesn't taste that nice, I drink it for the effects. But I don't drink very often and I'm a total lightweight anyway, these days.

I sometimes join DH in the evenings and am starting to see the attraction in being pleasantly tipsy but most of the time I just can't be bothered with that. Go hard or go home

I also smoke horrendously when drunk even though I don't smoke at all otherwise.

i suspect it is like when people say that they would like to be able to play piano and maybe they will take lessons. I think it is more that they wish they had the skill of a piano player, not that they want to go through the slog of learning. It is wishing that they were a different person, not changing who they are.