To think you can't party and eat?

[haveyaselfamerryxmas]

I'm a 30 year old woman and alcohol plays a larger part in my life than I would like. However, I was out with my friends for our Christmas night out on Thursday. It was a party night and so we had paid upfront for a three course meal.

To be completely honest, usually I'd go to these things and alcohol would be my main part of the night and I would push my food about on my plate rather than eat it. This tended to end up in me getting black out drunk and feeling so worried and shameful the next day.

So I thought to myself on Thursday, okay I'm going to eat the meal and see how I go. So I had two glasses of wine pre dinner/with dinner and then wolfed down three portions no problem - I was starving - hadn't eaten at all that day.

I then just got very sleepy after the meal, I really wanted to just go home to my bed but the girls were really disappointed when I suggested this. They kept saying pull yourself together. So I went on and had another glass of wine then a shot of sambuca and 3 pink gins and lemonade.

None of this touched the sides and I felt stone cold sober and completely shattered. I ended up getting a taxi home at 11 pm. 1.5 hours before the night ended.

My friends seemed really disappointed and acted as if I was a bore. Bare in mind these are the same friends that have complained in the past when I don't eat and get black out drunk and behave ridiculously.

I'm also getting to the stage where I'm feeling like if I've had one night out I've had one hundred nights out. I feel like my feelings towards drinking is changing.

But am I the only one t experience this? No food + alcohol = drunk however more fun. Or food + alcohol = can't get drunk, tired and boring?

How do you balance it so I can enjoy a night out and a meal without the need to get drunk?

It can be tough.

Do you want to say more about what the issue is and what help you think you need?

But anyway I would talk to your GP about what help is available in your area.

You deserve to value yourself and treat yourself well.

Stopping drinking is hard for everyone who has a drink problem.

7 drinks on a night out? What's your point here?

Take cocaine instead. That’ll keep you awake.

Seems like they are expecting you to be the entertainment.

In fairness, I think you've got two extremes here. Not eating at all and then drinking heavily so it hits you harder isn't (imo) healthy, but equally noone really eats a Christmas dinner sized 3 course meal every week either and most people do want a nap after. I think it's about balance and timing. I'd never go out drinking on an empty stomach but if I'm at a Christmas dinner night out and I know i want to last the full night then I'd eat a bit of everything but probably not clear the plates. I barely drink since I turned 30 because I'm so fed up of hangovers and I've never had an issue being completely sober on a night out and still had fun. I think it takes a little more confidence to be able to relax and enjoy yourself than what it takes with alcohol but if you do it more often then you'll get used to it. I think experimenting with this after a full Xmas dinner is maybe just a false impression to be fair. If you feel alcohol has more of a role than you want it to then I think fair play to you for considering doing things differently. Screw what your mates think.

The way I used to do it was eat a very light meal such as egg on toast before I went out drinking and then grab a burger or pizza on my way home. That was the only way I could manage it. Now though I'm bored shitless after about 5 mins so I don't even entertain going out anymore. Or the rare occasion I do end up going out for a birthday or something I'm usually working early the next day and drive for my job so never like risking more than 2 drinks.