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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Has anyone just stopped enjoying booze?

82 replies

Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2022 00:42

I don’t drink much, but occasionally have a ‘big night’ (maybe 3/4 times a year) and the odd Prosecco or G&T.

However I just don’t like it much and it’s cone in quite suddenly.

I think I might stop drinking which is obviously not a big deal but it seems a bit odd to just have lost my taste for it.

Has this happened to anyone else?

OP posts:
Thedogscollar · 31/12/2022 00:47

It's a no from me😂

Orangepolentacake · 31/12/2022 00:49

Could you be pregnant, by any chance?

aintnothinbutagstring · 31/12/2022 00:50

I'd love to enjoy it but it doesn't agree with me these days - intolerance to sulphites and sensitive bladder - not much fun!

anotheruser173 · 31/12/2022 00:55

Yes! I didn't drink during lockdown as I was on my own, and now it just doesn't appeal anymore. I get interrogated every time I don't drink at an event where everyone else is drinking - I don't have a particular reason to not drink, and that's apparently not very acceptable. TBH, I think I'd get fewer looks if I said I was a recovering alcoholic... It's the lack of concrete reason that seems to baffle people.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2022 00:55

Thedogscollar · 31/12/2022 00:47

It's a no from me😂

🤣🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2022 00:56

@Orangepolentacake

absolutely no chance!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2022 00:59

@aintnothinbutagstring

its odd - I’ve just lost the taste - I persevered through a drink earlier but I didn’t enjoy it.

@anotheruser173

I think I might tell people I can’t drink with my meds if they ask as I have sone chronic conditions so might get away with that.

OP posts:
JamSandle · 31/12/2022 00:59

Never really enjoyed it. Always left me feeling really down. Much happier with an occasional drink here and there.

DomesticShortHair · 31/12/2022 01:01

I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t a massive thing for me. I decided to stop for a little while to see how much I would miss it ad what it does for you, and it turns out, not all that much. I actually preferred the benefits of not drinking in comparison overall, so just never started again.

BasiliskStare · 31/12/2022 01:01

I really enjoy a G&T occasionally and a glass of wine with a meal & I do like the occasional cocktail. But I have noticed that post menopause it appeals less - not sure why but just does. So no pregnancy here

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 31/12/2022 01:05

@BasiliskStare

Oooh! I’m 44 - I wondered if meno was knocking!

I think I’ll have a break and see.

OP posts:
SchoolSurvey · 31/12/2022 01:07

Yep, I've noticed a slow decline in its appeal the past few years (I'm early 40s). The negative side effects such as poor sleep quality, heartburn/indigestion, IBS flare ups the next day, feeling tired and washed out and lethargic etc just aren't worth it imo. I do like wine though! And love the warm fuzzy feeling I get after one glass. I'm a lot more controlled these days and can stop at one.

Looking forward to Dry January!

DomesticShortHair · 31/12/2022 01:08

anotheruser173 · 31/12/2022 00:55

Yes! I didn't drink during lockdown as I was on my own, and now it just doesn't appeal anymore. I get interrogated every time I don't drink at an event where everyone else is drinking - I don't have a particular reason to not drink, and that's apparently not very acceptable. TBH, I think I'd get fewer looks if I said I was a recovering alcoholic... It's the lack of concrete reason that seems to baffle people.

My brother was an alcoholic who drunk himself to death, so I used that as an excuse. As you say, having a reason was a good way of deflecting people initially, and using death of a family member tended to bring the discussion to an abrupt halt, rather than having the persistent ‘go on, just have the one’ conversations.

These days, people are so used to it that I don't need to give any justification for an easy life. They just accept it. New people, when I say I haven’t drank for a number of years, do the same. It’s much more difficult if you’ve only have just given up- people think you can be turned back much easier and so will often try.

I never really worked out if it was because they genuinely thought I was missing out and didn’t want me to, or were just trying to cover up for their own inadequacies. Doesn’t really matter, I suppose.

TwoPointFourCatsAndDogs · 31/12/2022 01:10

Me. A couple years ago I realised I didn't actually like the taste of the wine I was drinking and subsequently only drink alcohol that I like the taste of, which is becoming less and less. I have the odd cocktail and really enjoy a lager shandy. On the odd girls night out I will have a couple of Prosecco's, but I drink so little these days that I only have a couple and I'm giggling.

HelloBunny · 31/12/2022 01:16

I’m not bothered with drink. I’d never have a glass of wine at home. Only had one Baileys this Christmas. I’ll have a pint of Guinness in the pub.

When I was younger I used to put up with the terrible hangover / vomiting. But I’m not able fit it now. And I’m absolutely fine socializing / relaxing without booze.

Wombatbum · 31/12/2022 01:23

I hardly ever drink, haven’t had one over Christmas. I’m 35, not menopause just not interested!

Stopsnowing · 31/12/2022 01:26

yes. I went off it a bit after being pregnant. Then as I got older I found that it wasnt making me merry just tired and headachy even in small quantities. Then I lost my taste for it perhaps due to covid or maybe menopause. I now don’t even feel like it and I haven’t had a drink all Christmas.I won’t say no to a glass to be sociable but I really can take it or leave it, usually the latter.

MermaidMummy06 · 31/12/2022 01:40

I don't really drink. I've never enjoyed the taste. Plus it's full of sugar which makes controlling my weight with PCOS impossible. Also, the hangovers, never understood why anyone thinks they're worth it.

I get shocked comments when I refuse a drink, sometimes people try to force it on me, like there's something wrong they need to fix! I've also been excluded often. Once it was from a party boat prize a friend won - because I didn't drink enough I wasn't allowed to go. Everyone else was invited (no, not friends anymore!).

I don't lie, just say no thanks, not a fan. In my 40's now I notice most others are slowing down as they can't tolerate it like they used to & the hangover is a killer!

Puffalicious · 31/12/2022 01:41

Me! I was never a big drinker, but when I stopped in pregnancy 19 years ago I never went back to it. It makes me tired and want to roll in a ball and sleep. I like the taste of a G&T or Long Vodka or Mohito, but not the effect on my body. I don't miss it at all. One of my best friends also doesn't drink, and the others never, ever question it/ doesn't bother them.

Drawbacks are folk presuming you had a drink problem in the past (this says lots about society- they'd think this first before considering you just don't drink) occasionally being irritated by drunk people when you're sober! I'm very sociable, though, and am last on the dancefloor/ in the pub without a drink.

Nat6999 · 31/12/2022 02:03

I haven't had a drink for 5 years, I don't miss it at all.

Kerantli · 31/12/2022 02:17

After throwing up in front of one of my friends parents (in their living room at that, came on suddenly and I couldn't move), I stopped drinking.
I also don't drink as DP is a dry alcoholic, I think I can count the amount of drink I've had in the last 11 years on two hands. It just doesn't interest me any more more than don't like the taste.

Christmasevesofa · 31/12/2022 06:20

I'm 34 and have always enjoyed a drink until recently. Like you I'd enjoy a few proseccos or G&T's but suddenly not only do I dislike the taste it's the whole experience. I used to really enjoy feeling tipsy but now I don't. The followings days I feel anxious and my mood is very low so I'm just not bothering again and I won't force myself to drink because others now think I'm boring. There's just genuinely no joy in it for me now.

amylou8 · 31/12/2022 06:28

I'm 47 and peri. Completely gone off alcohol. Barely touched it for about 18 months.

Woeman · 31/12/2022 06:28

I was a big socialiser and was out 3 or 4 nights a week. These days I get drunk 3 or 4 times a year. The cons outweigh the pros for me now. I get terrible hangovers, which is probably because I don't drink often, but also my age. My heart rate shoots up and I can't sleep. In fact, day drinking is probably better.

Also, I didn't like the fact that I overshared and said things I wouldn't have if sober. I also become really loud. I am a fun drunk, in that I like to dance and party, but most of these behaviours aren't that great in your 40s. I also do not have the time for a hangover. It makes me so I'll and so tired.

I'm dreading tonight, tbh.

Woeman · 31/12/2022 06:30

This thread has just reminded me of my unopened bottle of Baileys that I bought for Xmas!