To be worried?

[Walker9]

So I am becoming a bit worried about my alcohol intake, I have a glass or 2 of wine every 3-4 days and can happily have the one glass and put it down, been wanting it in the hot weather with ice. I have been a bit down lately so don’t want to use it as a crutch if I can help it but does this sound bad?

I fail to see an issue with this.

So you have about a bottle a week? That’s fine.

www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/calculating-alcohol-units/

Sounds fine to me.

It doesn't sound problematic, but if you feel uncomfortable about it, try non or low alcohol drinks.
Most low alcohol wine I've tried - I'm not a huge beer drinker, but low alcohol lager is OK - I also like kombucha instead of wine if I'm driving, and low calorie ginger beer.

Why are you worried? Is something in particular bothering you?

I noticed I was drinking more; it was increasing slowly (over lockdown) from one gin every few weeks to four once a week, then 1 or 2 drinks every few days, then having a drink more days than not - I starting really craving it and I hated that feeling!

I cut it all out for 3 months and got 'myself' back, now I enjoy a couple of gins maybe twice a month, usually to celebrate/mark something, not just a random weekday! Feel loads better for it.

I imagine you’re minimising how much you actually drink? Otherwise sounds ok.

It’s fine. Just have a think about incorporating some other self care activities to do when you’re feeling down, like going for a walk or phoning a friend.

I just wondered what was problematic, I never feel drunk or anything and wouldn’t have more than 2. Just don’t want to become dependant, when the weather is nice I find it so refreshing

@AtrociousCircumstance I’m not honestly I wouldn’t lie on an anonymous thread. I do worry a lot about this and it means a lot to me to be the perfect person, what ever that bloody is

I hear you OP. Taking it at face value, those amounts are absolutely fine.

But maybe this thread is about the pressures you put on yourself in general?

Your alcohol intake is fine.

However... you mentioned you're feeling down. If that is causing you to turn to alcohol to "feel better/relax" etc then please do try to stop this.

Alcohol dependency can creep up on you over time and before you know it you're in deep. And I say this as someone that has "been there, done that and got the t-shirt"...

It's great that you're very aware of your feelings / alcohol intake now. Try to find some alco-free drinks maybe - either soft drinks or if you would like s
substitutes I've found Gordon's gin and Becks good. Unfortunately I haven't come across a good alco-free wine yet 😕 Lindemans is the best of a bad bunch.

Hope you feel better soon and you have supportive friends/family you can talk to about your low feelings x

I don’t think it’s an issue at all if you’re genuinely going 3 or 4 days without. Drinking every night or binge drinking would be a different matter. Is there any particular reason you are worried about this as it honestly doesn’t seem to be a large volume or frequency at all.

How does it get to that point? Does it creep up on you without you knowing? Once I get something in my head I am terrible!!

I know deep down it’s fine but should I cut it out to reduce the risk?

wish I wasn’t like this!

Sorry cross posted with your updates. In that case you have absolutely nothing to worry about as your drinking habits are annoyingly perfect!

Honestly, you are fine. The fact you’re even thinking about it at this stage shows that you are miles away from drifting into dependency.

If you are consciously drinking and aware of what you are doing there is no problem.

I became concerned with my drinking during the first lockdown. The weather was glorious, I was frantic at work and a nice cold glass of wine or two in the evening quickly became far too much of a habit. I was appalled when I suddenly realised that I had drunk alcohol every single day for over two months. I genuinely hadn’t thought about it which is why I decided to stop for a bit and get myself back to normal.

I stoped drinking completely for a few weeks, then I set a rule that I would only drink at the weekend which I have stuck to to this day. I have a maximum of three drinks (sometimes only one, sometimes none at all) and I use a measures so I know exactly what I’m drinking in units. I also don’t let dh get my drinks any more as his measures are lethal! Now I enjoy a drink and am very aware of what I’m doing which makes the difference.

You are honestly far from having a problem op but if it worries you just stop for a bit.

I think your anxiety surrounding your self-perception is far more worrying than your alcohol consumption.

Why do you feel you have to be perfect?

Tbh, it sounds like you're very aware of your drinking and I don't see it being an issue.

I do agree with the pp that mentioned your anxiety in general . Might be worth reaching out to your GP and/or private therapy (if you can afford it) Unfortunately NHS waiting lists are well over a year.