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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone else drink most evenings?

445 replies

SandraOhh · 15/09/2021 18:56

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.

OP posts:
MyPatronusIsACat · 15/09/2021 20:49

@SandraOhh

No. I drink 2 or 3 glasses of wine on a Friday night, and occasionally one or two on a Saturday too, but that's it. 2-3 glasses a night signifies a dependency on alcohol. Also, I would get sick of it if I had it every night.

SandraOhh

Thanks for all the responses. Units wise I can drink anything from 2 - 16 I'd say per week. I can certainly go several evenings without drinking. I just prefer not to.

You're kidding yourself... You know that right... ???

@seaandsandcastles

If you’re drinking every night you’re an addict.

This. ^

Problem is, on these threads, you do get the 'the only alcohol I ever have is a thimble full of sherry on Christmas morning' brigade, but drinking 3-4 glasses of wine every night is an addiction.

Even though some people come out with the 'well they do it in France/Spain/Italy Chestnut' the fact is that many people in these other countries do NOT guzzle 3-4 glasses of wine every evening with their evening meal. When they go out for a meal yep, but they don't just sit there necking 3-4 glasses of wine every single evening.

icedcoffees · 15/09/2021 20:50

No, but I drink a lot of pepsi and tango which is probably not much better Grin

rougemouse · 15/09/2021 20:50

Somethings made you ask this question. No one asks if eating salad every day is bad for them. Or if drinking 2 litres of water a day is bad for you. You know it's bad for you.

However, I think the threshold for it being an actual problem is not being able to decide not to have it and stick to it. Or, it affecting your life in an adverse way; friendships, relationships, health, money, career...

HocusPocuss · 15/09/2021 20:51

Not anymore. I did in my 30s and then realised I was relying on a drink to get me through the night, so I stopped. Now I drink occasionally at home and every few months when I go out with friends.

notacooldad · 15/09/2021 20:53

No, apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day I didn't have a drink at all during lockdown.
I do drink but not bothered about it home.

ColourMeExhausted · 15/09/2021 20:54

No, but that's because I have small DC who think that 5am is a perfectly acceptable wake up time. Also a bit of a gym wanker goer and find that very early morning is the best time for me to fit a work out in. Even one glass affects my sleep these days.

I do drink at weekends, not loads, but nice to have it to look forward to. My dad drinks every day since he retired and as well as worrying me, I've no idea how he doesn't get bored with it!

That said, chocolate is my guilty pleasure and I have it most days.

Northernsoullover · 15/09/2021 20:54

I used to. I drank two large glasses which let's be honest is almost a bottle. I was so tired of feeling sluggish and run down on a daily basis.
I read Alcohol Lied to Me by Craig Beck and stopped completely. I did struggle a bit at first. Not drinking was fairly easy but I just felt odd. A bit displaced, didn't know how to 'unwind'. There is a chemical reason for that.
Now I feel amazing and the thought of spoiling my evenings with alcohol whether at home or out is abhorrent.
Its a big adjustment but once you have done it life only gets better.

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/09/2021 20:55

It helps me cope and feel happier and more able to 'do' life. no op, I am not a functioning alcoholic.

HarrisMcCoo · 15/09/2021 20:56

@user7012893145776

I don't see a problem with that op. It's only a problem if it's affecting other areas in your life and/or your health.

My dad drinks 2 bottles of wine at night, every night without fail. This is a problem for him although he doesn't see it as one.

Two bottles a night? Wow. That would be a huge chore just thinking about that amount to drink. I struggle with two glasses in one sitting. Just have a very low tolerance of any alcohol....

This thread has been a real eye opener 👀

PersonaNonGarter · 15/09/2021 20:57

OP, what do you want from this thread?

TartanJumper · 15/09/2021 21:00

No.
I don't drink now, but even in my early 20s, when I would binge drink it was only on a Friday/Saturday night.
Can't stand the stuff now!

ShinyThingsDistractMe · 15/09/2021 21:01

No I'm always too worried incase I need to drive to a and e with accident prone DS or something. (Lone parent)

I probably drink like 7ish times a year, parties, weddings, Christmas.

I'd love the occasional glass of wine in the evening but I just wouldn't relax so would seem pointless.

3luckystars · 15/09/2021 21:01

I read some of a book called ‘alcohol lied to me’ I don’t think it’s unusual to drink every night but it’s definitely not good for you.

ManifestDestinee · 15/09/2021 21:03

I remember reading Greg Wallace saying it was his wife who pointed out that you only really enjoy the first two glasses of wine, and after that it takes you to a different place. That is brilliant and true. Yet for me, it's just as I finish the second glass that my demon side goes "Fuck it"

The different place is the point though, that's what's so enjoyable!

Original poster
SandraOhh · 15/09/2021 21:05

Thanks all it's been interesting reading everyone's thoughts

OP posts:
Thomasina79 · 15/09/2021 21:06

From time to time I cut out alcohol altogether, usually when trying to lose weight. What I find interesting is that all the negative things I blame wine on, such as weight gain, headaches, poor sleep are still there whilst I am teetotal, which is strange. I don’t lose weight either!

Maybe it’s just me.

My bank balance is better though!

frumpety · 15/09/2021 21:07

When I was younger I worked for quite a posh family and they drank every day, early eveing G&T to start, wine with meal and maybe a brandy or whiskey before bed. I never saw them drunk or messy or drink a lot more, occasionally a bit more wine if they had friends over for Dinner.

This was seen as perfectly normal and socially expected and acceptable.

PurpleDaisies · 15/09/2021 21:07

@SandraOhh

Thanks for all the responses. Units wise I can drink anything from 2 - 16 I'd say per week. I can certainly go several evenings without drinking. I just prefer not to.
How have you arrived at that number? It doesn’t fit at all with what you’ve said about drinking most nights.
CalloftheHaunted · 15/09/2021 21:08

I drink most nights with the occasional night off. Not a fan of fizzy drinks or squash. Water is OK in the day but boring. Coffee is for the morning and herbal tea when in the mood. If there was an alternative it would be hot chocolate but that's too calorific. So alcohol it is and it's nice. Rarely get drunk.

OneMoreStitch · 15/09/2021 21:09

No, and even if it's "Mumsnetty" to say so, I'd worry if I needed alcohol on a daily basis just to cope with life. It would be better and healthier to address whatever it is that you're coping with so you don't need that kind of escape every night.

SpindleWhorl · 15/09/2021 21:09

This is someone's research Hmm

MondeoFan · 15/09/2021 21:10

No.
I can take or leave drink.
Sometimes 6 months might go past without any alcohol touching my lips.
In winter I'll have a mulled wine, Jack Daniels or a rum maybe twice a week.

ConsulTremas · 15/09/2021 21:10

No, I confine my drinking to one day a week, usually Friday or Saturday evening.

Thirtyrock39 · 15/09/2021 21:12

I'm trying to have three wine free nights a week ...I used to have a glass most nights about 9pm but try not to on work nights now (I work a four day week) it means I enjoy it more oh the weekend
The hardest one is to not drink Sunday evenings as o think I'm on a wine roll after drinking Friday and Saturday and there is always left over wine

BippityBoppity87 · 15/09/2021 21:12

No. I do like a few on a Friday or Saturday night though, and only if I know I have absolutely no plans the following day. I can't handle my alcohol like I used to. Even a couple and I'd not be feeling 100% the next day if I had to do stuff, so would rather not drink at all. My DP drinks a lot less. Maybe a couple in the pub with friends every few months or so