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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To drink every day

99 replies

LionSGuard · 01/08/2021 22:18

Well not every day, but most.

AIBU to have one bottle of cider most days? Bulmers, Kopparberg type.

I rarely have more than one but will have one most days. I don't feel I need it and there are days where I don't, because I don't fancy it or just forgot we have them in, but I do like the taste and tend to have one as my drink with my meal at night.

OP posts:
Givemebackmylilo · 02/08/2021 12:21

IMO drinking daily is excessive and bad for your health

BountyIsUnderrated · 02/08/2021 12:42

I don't think fizzy cider everyday is good for your teeth or digestive system.

MrsMackesy · 02/08/2021 12:43

I enjoy a glass of wine most evenings with food and sometimes a G&T beforehand or instead while having a brief sit down or more usually while I cook. I have noticed the wine aspect can creep up gradually to 2 glasses and then to half a bottle very easily if I'm not careful. As I've got older and am often a very tired parent, I've noticed I can't drink as much and still feel ok or not put on weight. I do want to have a stab at being a decent role model for my DC about drinking and looking after my health and so I stop drinking completely for a while if I notice that it has crept up. I know you said you're not bothered about cutting down on alcohol, but I can highly recommend the Waitrose, Stowford Press and Sheppy's low alcohol ciders - they're delicious and you really wouldn't know they are low alcohol.

MyDcAreMarvel · 02/08/2021 12:44

You are a functioning alcohol, but many posters in mumsnet are so they will tell you it’s fine. It’s not.

TheGumption · 02/08/2021 12:44

Would be too much for me but I last drank at Christmas I think so I'm not big into it. Mumsnet is a very pro booze place so you'll be told it's absolutely fine and that others regularly drink a bottle of wine a night and they're grand.

PurpleDaisies · 02/08/2021 12:46

@MyDcAreMarvel

You are a functioning alcohol, but many posters in mumsnet are so they will tell you it’s fine. It’s not.
At 14 units a week? That’s a heck of a leap..,
ChampagneLassie · 02/08/2021 12:47

Wow I assumed your question was because your pregnant! If not I don't think one bottle of cider a night is excessive! My drinking crept up through lock-down, as I think did many peoples'. Newly pregnant I am now getting used to a few sips of wine now and then and hoping the urge goes completely.

MrsMackesy · 02/08/2021 12:50

@MyDcAreMarvel

You are a functioning alcohol, but many posters in mumsnet are so they will tell you it’s fine. It’s not.
You mean 'functioning alcoholic', I think. No, if what the OP has posted is accurate, you are incorrect.
rosie1959 · 02/08/2021 12:51

@MyDcAreMarvel

You are a functioning alcohol, but many posters in mumsnet are so they will tell you it’s fine. It’s not.
So anybody that has one drink a day is a functioning alcoholic please what rubbish
MyDcAreMarvel · 02/08/2021 12:51

@MrsMackesy clearly it was a typo!

User5827372728 · 02/08/2021 12:53

I usually try and not drink at least twice a week to check that I still can…!

SheABitSpicyToday · 02/08/2021 12:53

Perfectly normal in many other cultures to drink a small amount daily and they tend to live a lot longer than us! When not pregnant I have a glass of red wine most evenings. Sometimes more at a weekend.

therocinante · 02/08/2021 12:54

I think the fact that it's every day is a bit of a concern...

It's a lot of sugar, it's topping your recommended units every week, and it seems like a habit - and having alcohol as a habit, or a regular 'comfort' routine isn't great. Not like, book yourself into AA 'not great', but still something I'd raise my eyebrows at if DH took to drinking every single day (even a small amount).

Why do you do it? If you just like the taste, there are alcohol free versions. If it's just routine, maybe try and add other routines in that are equally comforting/help you mark the end of the day. If it's that you want the alcohol... maybe do it every other day? You'll be halving your sugar and alcohol intake from it but it's not like only drinking once a month.

DontWiltMySpinachPlease · 02/08/2021 12:56

I also think that drinking everyday regardless of the amount, is excessive. Sorry!

therocinante · 02/08/2021 12:56

I put the amount you're drinking through the Drinkaware tool - saying no to all questions except 'has a friend or family member expressed concern', and adding that you drink daily and 1-2 units.

It says:

Your drinking is dangerous to your health, increasing your risk of serious health problems including seven types of cancer, liver and heart disease, and high blood pressure. Unless you cut down you are at risk of damaging your health.

Now is the time to cut back on how much alcohol you drink.

Your answers suggest you are at an increasing risk of being dependent on alcohol.

Disneyblue · 02/08/2021 12:56

You're never going to get the 'right' answer on this. After all, every two minutes an article is released stating one glass a night is absolutely fine and good for you, then another stating it's not good for you.
Nobody really knows where the middle ground is.
What I will say is amount of alcohol aside, if you feel like you need to have one every night, that's a slippery slope and I'm cautious of it myself, as I love a glass of wine on an evening myself.

SofiaMichelle · 02/08/2021 12:57

I voted YABU but only because we're apparently supposed to have alcohol free days to let our livers and kidneys have a break.

So I'd suggest sometimes having 2 or 3 at a time and then having a couple of nights off. Because it's recommended for your health.

Grin
OrangeElk · 02/08/2021 12:58

Remember a functional alcoholic isn't a type, it's a stage, and it starts with a habit

supersonicginandtonic · 02/08/2021 13:00

Oh FFS! OP please ignore some of these ridiculous comments. You 1000% will not become alcohol dependent on 1 bottle of cider per day. If you enjoy it carry on. The only thing I would advise is maybe having 1 or 2 alcohol free days per week.

MarshaBradyo · 02/08/2021 13:02

It’s not what I’d want but is it really functioning alcoholic status as per pp?

Doesn’t sound right where does this come from

supersonicginandtonic · 02/08/2021 13:02

@MyDcAreMarvel absolute rubbish! Please don't spout nonsense on a topic you obviously known nothing about.

OrangeElk · 02/08/2021 13:06

@supersonicginandtonic alcohol is an addictive substance, the more regularly you consume it the more likely you are to become addicted. I don't understand your anger at @McDcAreMarvel! It's just reality.

andyindurham · 02/08/2021 13:12

I was like this for a time (beer rather than cider, but a pint most days with dinner). It never felt out of control, inasmuch as I could have a dry day / week without worrying. But it became a fairly stale routine, and eventually a relatively expensive one.

During lockdown I switched: I bought more expensive beers (and enjoyed them more) but had less in the house (because I'd buy 3 bottles at £4 each, rather than 6 at £2, IYSWIM). Couldn't readily go out and replenish the stock, because lockdown. Also started to treat it as a reward - if I go for a run / put those shelves up / update my accounts / do my tax return I could treat myself to a beer.

It worked pretty well. I get more enjoyment from my drinking, which in turn motivates me to get something off the 'to do' list. I drink less overall, which is probably better for my health. I'm not saving money, but I'm spending more with small, local, independent businesses (which I think is better than spending with the mass market brands). And I've got to know people in my local micro pubs and bottle shop, so now I can go out for a drink and a chat with friendly faces (at least until the next lockdown). DD4 is less inclined to ask 'what's beer?' as well, which is probably a good thing. All in all, I'm happy with this.

supersonicginandtonic · 02/08/2021 13:13

@OrangeElk my job role is a substance misuse practitioner. So yes I am allowed to be angry. Somebody who drinks the levels the OP drinks is not alcohol dependent or an alcoholic. It would be more concerning if she drank it all in one go on a Saturday evening. I've advised a couple of alcohol free days per week but other than that there are no concerns about her drinking level

rosie1959 · 02/08/2021 13:16

OrangeElk it was the comment that the OP is already a functioning alcoholic now having been sober for the best part of 20 years and known many alcoholics functioning or otherwise I can safely say the OP is not a alcoholic. By the pure nature of the condition she would not stop at one
I know people who drink considerably more than this daily again this does not make them alcoholic