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Original poster

To think alcohol becomes less fun the older you get?

97 replies

margotpotter · 27/02/2022 09:32

Granted I'm not old, I'm 30 but I've noticed, especially within the past year that drinking (getting drunk) is just not much fun for me anymore.

Last night I was at my friends and they were still up drinking at 3 am, all I could think about was how boring it was listening to their drunk chat and about getting home to my bed.

This seems to be recurring, whether I drink in the house, whether I go out, whether I go to someone's house, I feel like the nights are all very samey and am starting to feel just over it.

I've woken up this morning feeling utterly done in, sent some embarrassing messages last night, feel down in the dumps and really think my relationship with alcohol (which has NEVER been a healthy one) is coming to an end.

I've wanted to quit before but loved it too much to stop, difference being now, I'm not even enjoying it anymore.

Anyone else? Is this just an age thing?

OP posts:
Twopenny · 27/02/2022 13:17

I still really enjoy a night out a couple of times a month, but after a couple of pints I switch to alcohol free beer. I haven't had a hangover in years.

Original poster
margotpotter · 27/02/2022 13:36

@stripeyflowers

" I was getting an elevated heart rate last night. I had to go and splash cold water on my face and run my hands under tap to try calm down, felt on the verge of a panic, my pulse was 100 at rest. Usually between 55-62. Never put it down to the alcohol, interesting."

Margotpotter

Yes, this reaction to alcohol started about 12 months after I had my last period. My heart rate was over double its normal and stayed that way for almost 24 hours. I actually went to A and E as advised by 111. In the end it just came down on its own.

Now if I have more than the equivalent of 1 medium wine it starts it off again. It's not worth the worry. It was just a shock when it happened because, in the past, I've always been able to calm myself and slow my heart with music or meditation but this was just out of my control.

That is exactly how I felt, usually I can slow it down with breathing techniques but like you say, this was completely out of my control. Thanks for sharing!
OP posts:
NeedAHoliday2021 · 27/02/2022 13:44

@TomAllenWife me too. Didn’t mean to either but someone was topping up my drink and I stupidly didn’t realise. I stopped drinking to get drunk about 5 years ago so I’m annoyed I ruined a whole day. Still exhausted today despite being in bed most of yesterday. Dh much more sensible declined top ups only to be told he was boring and bringing down the mood of the party. He wasn’t, he was chatting and friendly just not getting pissed. He’s now worried he embarrassed me because everyone else was drinking lots. Dh is lovely and funny and doesn’t have to be drunk to be those things. He’s quiet but when drinking he is still quiet so they’re trying to make him someone he isn’t.

A580Hojas · 27/02/2022 13:46

There's a big difference between drinking and getting drunk.

I still love wine but my limit is half a bottle. I can't tolerate being around drunk people (it makes me horribly nervous) and I never get drunk myself.

Missey85 · 27/02/2022 13:55

I completely agree with you I'm the same I'm 35 and haven't really enjoyed it since my 20s you grow up and realise getting wasted is a waste of time

DinnoWoman · 27/02/2022 14:00

So much of this resonates with me. Similar to a PP there's only a few drinks that I actually get a buzz from these days - either very sweet ones like liqueurs or sherries, or cocktails. Everything else including wine and beer just makes me sleepy at the time and completely fucks me up the next day.

During first lockdown I initially drank far too much and ended up in a state of almost perma-hangxiety so I quit altogether, at first for a month but I felt so much better I continued for six until Xmas 2020 which is when I found that most drinks just made me tired (although then gave me a shit night's sleep) but, it being Xmas, there were a few bottles of sweet stuff kicking around and I found myself enjoying a glass of one of those instead.

Since then I have had a few "big" nights out and definitely enjoyed them and stayed out (very) late but I don't think I could have done if I'd have been knocking back the wine - that one cocktail/sugar hit keeps me going for ages.

My life generally is much better for not drinking very much. I hadn't realised how tired it was making me. Now I have loads more energy and I just get tonnes more stuff done.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/02/2022 17:15

YANBU. I have never been good with alcohol and it came to a head the day after Boxing Day. I had been drinking all day, lost my expensive phone, been obnoxious, hit my head on a hot tub and was feeling generally awful and decided to knock it on the head altogether. My in laws are big drinkers and enjoy talking about who did what but I just feel embarrassed. I'm normally ok if I have a couple but I'm finding that gives me a hangover nowadays. Not drunk in 9 weeks now.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 27/02/2022 17:15

I'm 40 but been thinking about stopping for about 15 years.

itsnotdeep · 27/02/2022 17:17

I don't mind drinking, but it generally gives me insomnia these days, and I can't bear trying to exist on 3 hours sleep the next day.

And yes, spending a day hungover is such a waste of the day.

I love a daytime drink though.

MrsDThomas · 27/02/2022 17:19

Im happy to have a glass of wine every night. Just the one. Haven’t been drunk for 21 years. Last night i went out and drove. I hate the giggly drunk chat i hear i the pub.

Prefer my sofa, Malbec and my real fire. At the age of 47, its perfect

nalabae · 27/02/2022 17:20

Only if you’re boring

CrimbleCrumble1 · 27/02/2022 17:22

I found it got worse when I had young DC, then good, then worse as it made my night sweats bad and now it’s good again.

Libraryghost · 27/02/2022 17:32

Definitely. I don't have the tolerance anymore. I also think and this might just be me but there is something sad and tragic about a drunken middle aged woman. Funny when you are young but just cringy when you are older.

OfstedOffred · 27/02/2022 17:35

I'm the wrong side of 35 and definitely agree.

I just cant be bothered.

If I drink a load its just empty calories I cant take any more. Plus the hangovers have got much worse. Also I just...don't need it, to relax socially etc. I think there's a confidence/sense of not giving a shit that comes with age and replaces that infallible feeling booze gives you at 22.

OfstedOffred · 27/02/2022 17:36

Oh and the sleepiness booze induces now means I cant have a load on a night out or I will nod off!

Thatsplentyjack · 27/02/2022 17:37

Yup I'm nearly 32 and I've felt like this for a while now. Used to love drinking ( heavy drinking, all nighters) when I was younger. Can hardly make it to 12 o'clock now. I don't like the feeling of being really drunk now, I find it boring after a while and I get terrible hangovers and anxiety for around a week after.
Having a few drinks earlier at night suits me better now and stopping drinking a couple of hours before I go to bed. Shame because I really used to enjoy myself.

cherrytopcake · 27/02/2022 17:42

31 and have been feeling like you described op for the last 18 months or so. It's just not that great anymore. Wake up feeling shit, both physically and mentally. Leaves you feeling unhealthy, bored, depressed and down the next day. Plus I end up binge eating when I drink too much so really not good for me. Totally get what you're saying.

I have, my to my surprise, started to enjoy (shock horror) just ONE drink and being happy at not wanting more and stopping after that... Unheard of for me. I never used to be able to stop at one.

FirewomanSam · 27/02/2022 18:08

@teaandtoastwithmarmite 9 weeks! That’s brilliant. You ROCK. I’ve been sober for almost 3 years and honestly, those early months were so so much harder than anything past that. People say to me ‘three years, wow that’s amazing’ but honestly it feels like nothing, three weeks or three months on the other hand is so so hard and you are a rockstar for making it this far. If you can get past 3 months you will most likely find it starts to feel much easier! Good luck and well done to you Flowers

notaregularmomes · 27/02/2022 18:20

@nalabae

Only if you’re boring
I think the opposite, only boring people need alcohol to not be bored.
KatyRebecca84 · 27/02/2022 18:43

@margotpotter funnily enough this is now my issue and I already have a heart problem and a loop recorder inserted to check rhythm. I had a bottle of red last night and woke at 5am with a racing heart so had to take a beta blocker. I enjoy being tipsy but it’s not worth it to worry I might have a heart attack!!

Momicrone · 27/02/2022 18:49

It's usually about personality for me rather than alcohol.

Mouldyfeet · 27/02/2022 19:13

Read the Joy of Being Sober. I’ve been wanting to stop for ages but have so many friends who drink and are always up for drinking. I just don’t want to do it. It makes me feel shit.

LuckySantangelo35 · 27/02/2022 19:16

Gone off nights out drinking but I love a daytime drink!
Let your hair down a bit ladies! Does it really matter if you feel a bit below par the day after (or even the day after that) and are less productive than you’d usually be?!

CandidaAlbicans2 · 27/02/2022 19:54

It seems that going through the menopause has changed how alcohol affects me. Even just 1 pint of strong cider and I get worse night sweats and restlessness, and if I have more than 2 glasses of wine I feel headachey and knackered the next day as well. I hardly drink now as it's not worth it. I like booze but it doesn't like me any more Sad

applewhitenights · 27/02/2022 21:04

Same here. 33 and not really touched alcohol for the last few years. I get the ill effects of alcohol before I get the fun drunken bits now so just don't bother. Always been a bit dodgy with spirits in the past but even wine and cider does me in now. I miss getting drunk without the consequences.

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