Does anyone else drink most evenings?

[SandraOhh]

I do. Wine usually, a couple of glasses. It's how I unwind. I do skip some nights. I know it's not great for you but everyone has their vices. It helps me cope and feel happier and more able to 'do' life.

I used to but then worried maybe it was too much. so now no alcohol on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It was in fact pretty easy to change to, and I now drink less on the other days too (whereas before I made the change I thought I'd just drink more!)

No

I have a hot chocolate most evenings haha. Haven't had an alcoholic one in months (it's boring but if I'm drinking my calories I'd rather have it in chocolate form)

If anyone here is concerned about their drinking I can’t recommend Allan Carr’s book Easy Way to Control Alcohol enough. I used to drink almost every day, and felt really deprived if I had a day without it. I have been a problem drinker for 20 years, it hasn’t affected my job or anything but it was too much and I was really dependent on it. I could never stop once I’d started, and would end up feeling shit and having to take naps in the day. Now I really don’t miss it at all, and that’s the truth. My DH drinks still, but he can have one or two and stop, it’s not a problem for him so there’s no issue there. Some of us find it harder to manage and that’s just the way it is. I am not judging or saying nobody should drink, I’m just saying that if you feel you have a problem maybe read that book and see if it helps.

Yep. Quite a bit. Most people only come on here to tell you otherwise.

No, but I binge drink unfortunately. I don't drink at all in the week but about once a month I'll have a Saturday night where I drink loads, I'm talking 3/4 of a bottle of vodka. Trying to get out of the habit.

No but I grew up with an alcoholic parent and I just don't really drink

No, I rarely drink, partly because my dad was a functioning alcoholic and I’d never risk being like that but also, I get terrible migraines from most alcoholic drinks now I’m past 35.

There are a lot of functioning alcoholics on Mumsnet and in real life sadly.

I used to, but I gave it up when I realised it was a habit instead of something I enjoyed. Now I have a drink on weekends, and because I have less, I can have nicer stuff.

Also my late husband was an alcoholic and he did a lot of damage. I'm not going there.

Nope. Evenings are - end of FT work, kids bedtime, bathtime, reading, cooking a load of yummy food, lots of Netflix with spouse and falling asleep by 10! Boring! When friends over or on special occasions - my excellent Gin and Tonic collection comes out to play!

@WineByTheSea

If anyone here is concerned about their drinking I can’t recommend Allan Carr’s book Easy Way to Control Alcohol enough. I used to drink almost every day, and felt really deprived if I had a day without it. I have been a problem drinker for 20 years, it hasn’t affected my job or anything but it was too much and I was really dependent on it. I could never stop once I’d started, and would end up feeling shit and having to take naps in the day. Now I really don’t miss it at all, and that’s the truth. My DH drinks still, but he can have one or two and stop, it’s not a problem for him so there’s no issue there. Some of us find it harder to manage and that’s just the way it is. I am not judging or saying nobody should drink, I’m just saying that if you feel you have a problem maybe read that book and see if it helps.

I might take a look at this, thanks. I can go without alcohol easily, never drink in the week when I have work. But when I do start drinking at a party or social event I don't know when to stop.

No we don't, but judging by our neighbours glass recycling boxes we are a rarity!!!!!

Glass of wine most nights when I get the babies to bed (2 under 2). Weekends more, but don't often go out and get drunk. Did that last weekend for a friends birthday and felt awful for 48 hours. Much prefer 1 a night than a binge at the weekend.

I could quite happily drink half a bottle of wine every night but it is a slippery slope, so I don't. Weekends only.

I used to, yes. Definitely a coping mechanism/crutch for stress and (looking back) social anxiety and PND.

I had to put the brakes on in lockdown. My problem with drinking to cope with stress every day was that my body developed a tolerance to the buzzy relaxed feeling 1 glass used to give me. 1 glass turned into 2 or 3. One gin turned into two doubles. The more stressed I felt, the more I drank. Despite the tolerance to the buzz, I'd feel just as crap, physically, the following morning, because I was still dehydrated and taxing my liver and kidneys.

Sometime During lockdown 1, I downloaded an app to track drink free days: my longest stretch so far before a glass of wine has been 10 weeks.

I've been able to keep it to Christmas, Easter, birthday, a very welcome family visit, and a crappy week or two with work+kids since then. But I really have to be more consistent about developing appropriate coping mechanisms, and bin the drinking for work+kids, because that's what it actually is for me.

No, it doesn't agree with me so I really don't drink often. I do actually enjoy wines though, just not the effects.

Plus my evenings are usually reserved for yoga and reading so I like a clear head for those.

Used to definitely- but like pp I found I was just zonked out on sofa, doing very little and asleep by 9.30-10. I now have one bottle over fri/sat/sun and it feels like something to look forward to and I enjoy it far more. I try and be regimented about it as I know I’d very easily slip back into weekday drinking again.

I drink most nights, although as I’m getting older I’m finding the next morning hell even if it’s just been a couple of glasses of wine I’ve had.

Never really drink if i've got work in the morning (maybe a glass of wine with a meal out or something).

I don't really like drinking at home.

I drink most nights, although as I’m getting older I’m finding the next morning hell even if it’s just been a couple of glasses of wine I’ve had.

That's what puts me off. I feel crap the next morning.

No I don’t. My cousin had a heart attack, lifestyle induced, at 35, and it scared me into being healthy.

No. Waste of calories, I'd rather have some chocolate.

One glass per night. Never binge. I worked out that I drink 14 units per week which is the recommended max.

It is just a habit though. Toddler in bed = wine. I am very stressed at the moment and do use it as a stress reliever. I’m going to aim for two nights ‘off’ per week. More to break the habit than from any health concern perspective. I exercise, eat really well and am very slim. My parents always had a glass with dinner and I cringe at the thought of tea in the evening…..

No never drink, but eat too much crap tho !

@FlamesEmbersAshes

No. I used to at one point but then I realised it was becoming a crutch so I stopped. I feel much better for it.

Same here. I wasn't dependent on it, but it had become too much of a daily habit. I did drink every day when I was on holiday last month. Usually 3 or 4 nights a week.

I'm currently sitting trying to decide whether to have wine or tea!

During lockdown we have drunk much more than usual and also drink more when it's sunny but nothing that concerns me ;)