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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drink a bottle of wine 3/4 nights a week?

115 replies

Goodnightjude1 · 06/08/2019 19:54

Just that really....

I work hard. The house is spotless, washing/ironing always done. Kids happy, OH happy....all happy.

I like a glass of wine....or 3 or 4.

Never ever drink till I’m drunk. All of my children (eldest is 20) have never seen me drunk. I just like a few glasses to relax in the evening but apparently....according to my friend “it’s too much”

So, is it??

OP posts:
Lifeandjoy · 06/08/2019 19:56

4 bottles of wine a week sounds like a lot. Do you share the 4 bottles or do you actually consume the equivalent of 4 bottles?

RedPanda2 · 06/08/2019 19:56

That's a lot! Maybe try cutting down of you want to. Do you feel you need ot?

LifeofRye · 06/08/2019 19:56

For me, that would be a lot.

Even the calories would have me worried! How many units is that a week?

StarlightIntheNight · 06/08/2019 19:56

A bottle of wine and you are not drunk!?! You must have been drinking for a while to build that tolerance. That being said, I think a few times a week is fine, but more so if its limited to two glasses at least two of the nights and one night a bottle max. Your body needs time to detox from the drinking. I also enjoy my wine (not now as I am pregnant). But when I am not, I drink a few nights a week, usually just two glasses. Any more and I feel tipsy and a bottle would def feel drunk. However, never act drunk.

cheesydoesit · 06/08/2019 19:58

So does it accumulate to 4 bottles a week? I would think that is too much really and it would be easy for that amount to creep up. I have a friend who drinks at least a bottle a night and she is what you would call a 'functioning alcoholic', it's something she is aware of and is trying to address.

MadeForThis · 06/08/2019 19:58

I would think a glass or so of wine a few times a week is fine. A whole bottle is a lot. That can have a bad effect on your body.

Can you go without? Would the idea of a month without wine worry you? Do you think about wine on your non drinking nights or have to stop yourself from drinking?

Lots of people have wine a few times a week. I suppose it all comes down to your health and your ability to say no. If your not fussed about missing a night then it's probably not an issue for you.

tobypercy · 06/08/2019 19:58

www.nhs.uk/conditions/alcohol-misuse/

you're drinking about 8 units if you're having the bottle to yourself.

NHS suggests a max of 14 units per week

Elliebellbell · 06/08/2019 19:59

I've been drinking too much op. Started with 2 or 3 bottles a week and crept up to about 5. I was totally functional but putting on loads of weight, sleeping badly and it costs a fortune. For future health and wealth start reining it in now.

Sadie789 · 06/08/2019 20:00

Wine hits me like a tonne of bricks and I literally could not function day to day drinking that amount.

It wouldn’t relax me, I would know I’d have a shitty sleep and feel groggy the next day.

It’s horses for courses but that level of drinking doesn’t seem healthy to me.

JimHalpert · 06/08/2019 20:00

You sound like an alcoholic. A functioning alcoholic, but still.

RaininSummer · 06/08/2019 20:01

Sounds a lot to me as I would be pretty drunk on 4 glasses.

Sexnotgender · 06/08/2019 20:01

I was drinking a large glass a night and thought that was too much and have stopped! I’d be very tipsy and probably sick if I drank a whole bottle.

StupidlittlepricknamedRick · 06/08/2019 20:02

I work hard. The house is spotless, washing/ironing always done. Kids happy, OH happy....all happy*
You feel the need to justify it which suggests you think it is a problem. There are many alcoholics that still function normally. You're no better or worse if you don't fit the cider on a park bench stereotype.

Original poster
Goodnightjude1 · 06/08/2019 20:03

It wouldn’t bother me if I couldn’t have it. I did dry January without any problems but what my friend said did make me stop and think.

I don’t share the wine, no. I could easily drink a bottle a night and not realise. I seem to have a high tolerance for alcohol...on a night out I can drink 15-20 G&T and not feel the slightest bit tipsy. I think what pp said Is right, my body has built up a tolerance to alcohol and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Thanks for your opinions...I will cut down from now on!

OP posts:
ashtrayheart · 06/08/2019 20:05

It's too much for your health, but it's your life.
I used to drink a bottle a night which crept up to 100 units Plus per week. I haven't drunk alcohol for over two years now and can now see how insidious alcohol consumption can be.

Cobblersandhogwash · 06/08/2019 20:07

Whether you're an alcoholic or not - not really helpful - you need to decide for yourself if it's too much.

Government guidelines say it is.

Do you sleep well? Or do you wake up early with cramp or a dry mouth and anxiety?

Do you feel slightly shabby every day?

Alcohol is also liquid lard. You pile on the pounds!

So, if you are concerned, you could just restrict it to Friday or Saturday night?

And then get into the habit of drinking soft drinks or alcohol free / low alcohol beer or wine during the week?

nanbread · 06/08/2019 20:07

Great that you're all happy, but I'd be concerned about your long term health.

Would you think it was unreasonable to eat a XL Domino's pizza or whole birthday cake 4 times a week? Or smoke a pack of fags 4 times a week? If yes, what's the difference?

I think in 10-20 years time drinking alcohol regularly or heavily will become as socially unacceptable as smoking or taking drugs.

(I drink, btw, and probably too much)

user1480880826 · 06/08/2019 20:09

That’s an enormous amount of alcohol! I can’t believe it took someone mentioning it for you to realise. You will have done untold damage to your body, regardless of whether or not the wine makes you feel drunk.

Also, people ALWAYS think they’re not tipsy when they invariably are. You just can’t see it.

Jinglebin1 · 06/08/2019 20:10

If you can drink 15-20 g&t or a bottle of wine and not feel it, then why are you drinking at all?

All you're doing is damaging your liver and consuming unnecessary calories for no reason.

Jeezoh · 06/08/2019 20:11

So around half the week you’re significantly over the drink drive limit? Sounds like more than is healthy to me.

PanGalaticGargleBlaster · 06/08/2019 20:12

Quite a lot for me, generally I don't drink mid week unless it an occasion of sorts. Plus I drive to work quite early in the morning and it does not take much to still be over the limit when I climb into the car.

AliceAbsolum · 06/08/2019 20:13

It's your liver when the children are teens that you have to worry about.

mrsglowglow · 06/08/2019 20:15

I can see how easily drinking in excess can creep up on us. I was getting into the habit of having a glass or 2 most nights but have curbed it to just buying 1 bottle a week to drink at home now. I would say try to half your intake to start with and give yourself a few alcohol free days each week. As you say you can take it or leave it.

Psuedosudocrem · 06/08/2019 20:15

Yes, it's too much. My parent was a chronic alcoholic. They started at a similar level. Didn't end like that though. You don't want to end up like them (clean happy house makes no difference, you WILL pay a price, your family too even if you think they are oblivious) I suspect you already know this. Stop while you still can.

Walkingandwalking · 06/08/2019 20:15

OP an average bottle of wine (13.5%) has 10 units in it.
4 bottles / week = 40 units.

You are drinking almost 3 times the maximum recommended intake for a person, which is 14 units.