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AIBU?

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Original poster

How can I be in the top 5% of drinkers at 20 units a week?!

611 replies

Pooshy · 03/03/2019 20:31

I've been tracking how much alcohol I drink since the start of the year in an effort to cut down

It's working and I think I probably drink about half as much as I used to, around 20 units a week on average. Still over the women's recommended limit of 14, but this is better than I was

However the app I'm using says I'm in the top 5% of drinker so that means only 5 people out of 100 drink more than me

Surely that can't be right... how many unit do you drink a week usually?

OP posts:
Arewehumanorbones · 03/03/2019 20:32

Normally, none.
I did have half a glass of wine on Friday though - first in a few weeks
Husband has a bottle of beer every couple of weeks

Camellia5 · 03/03/2019 20:32

Gosh, I also drink 20 or so units per week OP.
Also interested in replies!

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 03/03/2019 20:33

I drink maybe 1 or 2 a week.
At most.
I would feel ill and knackered if I drank alcohol more than once a week or in bigger amounts.

You've cut down though - that's progress and it doesn't matter what other people do as much as that you're working on a healthier lifestyle that suits you.

timeisnotaline · 03/03/2019 20:33

20 on average is a lot surely?! I guess we drink 2-3 bottles a week, so I would drink between 1 -1.5 bottles - is that 7- 10standard drinks? And we both know we’d be healthier if we cut back.

ShrinkWrap · 03/03/2019 20:34

clutches pearls

itsabongthing · 03/03/2019 20:34

Maybe it’s based on the people using the app! Also people notoriously under estimate their own drinking eg. To their GP.
What app are you using, I think I could do with it.

FuzzyPuffling · 03/03/2019 20:34

Another "none" here. I might have half a glass at a wedding for example, but that's it for me. So averaging us out OP, it's 10 units each. Which is clearly a different answer from either of our realities!

hidinginthenightgarden · 03/03/2019 20:35

I drink about 10-15 units a month on average. Today I met a friend and had 2 glasses of wine. meeting friends Friday but driving so no more than one. Probably won't drink much more this month.
20 units is a lot. There are plenty that drink loads but more and more people are cutting down, particularly those in their 20's who don't want the shame of their antics all over social media.

MrsTerryPratcett · 03/03/2019 20:35

There are lots of people who don't drink so that is taken into account. Then a lot of people lie and minimise. Depending on how they are asked. They could be factoring in pregnant people, elderly, even children if they are really sneaky.

They want you to think you're drinking a lot because behavioural insights (psychology) tells us people will do things because they don't want to be outliers.

However, you do drink more than me!

spanieleyes · 03/03/2019 20:35

None. Lots of people drink very little. I might have a glass of wine or a bottle of cider with a meal once a month but that's it!

JaneEyre07 · 03/03/2019 20:35
  1. I'm on Metformin for my diabetes and just can't tolerate alcohol at all since being on it.

I miss the odd G & T and glass of cold white wine in the summer but I don't miss how it makes me feel.

itsabongthing · 03/03/2019 20:36

I probably drink on average 3 bottles a week? 2 on a good week, probably 4 if not working. Not sure how many suits that is.

OftenHangry · 03/03/2019 20:36

I do 20 too.
Apps lie.

Jamhandprints · 03/03/2019 20:36

None at the moment as breast feeding but normally 1 or 2 units a week.

Seeleyboo · 03/03/2019 20:36

Fuck me. 7 bottles of wine a week.

itsabongthing · 03/03/2019 20:36

Units not suits!

HeyNannyNanny · 03/03/2019 20:37

20 units is a hell of a lot, top 5% doesn't surprise me.
20 units as a one off... But regularly?!
You say that's half what you used to? Sure 40 units is dangerous?

Notthisnotthat · 03/03/2019 20:37

Most weeks I don't drink anything at all, however if I'm in a night out with friends I'll have a bottle of wine, cocktails and shots. Have a night out once every 2/3 months.

Hoplittlebunnies · 03/03/2019 20:37

I've had probably half a bottle of gin this year, and all of that was in January. Haven't had a drink for about 6 or 7 weeks I suppose? Not a conscious decision, just not a big drinker.

LucyAutumn · 03/03/2019 20:37

None. Stopped when ttc and didn't miss it.

MonkeyfaceThereturn · 03/03/2019 20:38

I drink 30-40

So add me to those 5 people higher than you.

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 03/03/2019 20:38

These days (with kids) I drink rarely maybe 8ish units a month unless invited out (rare) I'll maybe have 8-10units in a night.
Back in my youth I'd have maybe 10-25units a week.
Maybe the sample population is skewed to age ranges or the people questioned just lied? It does seem a bit skewed.

OftenHangry · 03/03/2019 20:38

@JaneEyre07 have you tried the non alcoholic wine? There are still traces I think, but apparently they are not that bad.

Meandwinealone · 03/03/2019 20:39

Why bother asking on mumsnet! Everyone only drinks a thimble if sherry at Christmas

Hahaha88 · 03/03/2019 20:39

7 bottles of wine a week this has got to be a joke right? Hmm

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