To thinking drinking isn't worth the hangover

[champus]

I'm in a bit of a tough spot with this.

I don't drink often at all. I only drink when I'm socialising, which isn't often. But I know I would drink more often if I socialised more often.

I avoid socialising because I find it difficult not to have a drink or two when others are doing so. I enjoy it. But because I very rarely drink, I can even feel it after very little alcohol. Even two drinks, I feel the next day.

I have two small kids, 1 and 3. They're exhausting as it is. Add a hangover to that and it's absolutely not worth it. The day with them and a hangover is torture.

Yes, clearly I should socialise more. But like I said, I find it hard to say no to a glass of bubbly when everyone else is having one.

Can anyone relate ? The other option would be to drink one glass a bit more often and then I would feel it less. But that also doesn't seem right.

How can I avoid being such a lightweight with hangovers ? I had two glasses last night and I just don't feel right today. It really takes it out of me. Alcohol allergy perhaps ?

I am the same now. Had 2 glasses last night and feel ropey today. Don't have any answers I'm afraid, but you're not alone.

It’s definitely not worth it. Since I turned 30 even the smallest amount hits me like a tonne of bricks! Just not worth it at all

I drink regularly and don't get hangovers but, as you say, that isn't a solution!

When I used to drink less, I found that drinking a pint of water and taking 1 each of ibuprofen and paracetamol just before bed, really helped with the worst of the symptoms.

I barely drink alcohol now when I'm out. I might have a gin or a two max, maybe a pint of"real" cider, but generally I just get low or alcohol free stuff for the rest of the night. The ciders are especially good I've found (I don't drink beer).

I like being able to get up and drive the next day without worrying about still being over the limit. Plus the lack of headache or hangovers is great. Not drinking doesn't stop me going out and having fun.

I'm alcohol free, and now socialise fine with non alcoholic drinks.

I tend to ask for a tonic water with a wedge of lime, as soft drinks tend to be a bit sweet for me. Doom bar 0% is very good.

I did take a while to adjust and stop feeling awkward ( all in my own head, I'm still good company without alcohol to lose up, all I need is no kids around to relax!) - so don't let it stop you socialising, no one has batted an eye.

Yeah. Alcohol free drinks are so much better than they used to be. Especially lagers and beers. I also quite like a wee Nosecco.

Just have soft drinks. It's so simple and who cares what is in your glass.

You should never take paracetamol when drinking, it can seriously fuck with your liver. Ibuprofen is fine.

I just drink diet coke or similar if I'm in that situation and don't want alcohol. I've never been able to knock back fizzy drinks quickly, so I can sip it and make it last for a while - which I also do with wine. If I had a juice I'd just drink it all down pretty quickly.

There comes a tipping point where your body can't recuperate like it did in your teens and early 20s. I used to drink quite heavily and then one day I just stopped. I have less than half a bottle a year now. I don't drink when I go out and it doesn't bother me at all. It's just not a big deal to me or my friends.

Try milk thistle tablets, i swear by them, i’m only a social drinker, but used to suffer the next day even if i only had a few. One before you go out, one when you get in. I don’t know how or why they work but they def do. X

I'm the same OP, often feel mildly hungover the day after having just a couple of drinks. It's bloody tiresome. Some people aren't that bothered about booze and decide to give up. The problem is that I LOVE it! In small amounts, a lovely glass of wine with dinner and one more after, or a cocktail before dinner and then one drink with dinner. Just lovely.

So I put up with the groggy feeling the next day, and only drink one or two days a week. It's a right pain though, so I hear you. Only you can decide whether drinking is worth it for you

I drink but will do one alcohol then one non alcohol. There are so many good no alcohol versions of alcoholic drinks that it's easy.

I also know my limit and rarely, if ever drink past it. I also know I have to stop drinking by 9pm, anything later & I feel it the next day.

There is a few suggestions here which might help, or just don't drink that is okay too.

Loads of water, OP. The worst of a hangover is from dehydration. Big glass of water or squash between drinks and a pint of water before bed. Game changer.

'Try milk thistle tablets, i swear by them'

Definitely going to try this, thanks for the tip!

I don't drink to hangover stage, but admittedly I have a glass every few days or so, which means I'm more used to it. You could try and eat a good meal first or stick to cocktails such as mojitos, which are weaker and more hydrating because of the amount of soda / lemonade in them.

milk thistle tablets are good, and a sachet of electrolytes in water before bed.

But really, with your lifestyle as it currently is, just switch to soft drinks. Or have two spritzers instead of two proper glasses of wine.

I gave up for this reason. Just not worth it. There are loads of books and podcasts that help if you decide that might be a solution for you.

I just stopped drinking. It took a while for me to get used to the idea and then it took a while for mu friends to get used to the idea but everybody just accepts it now 5 years on.

Seriously this, particularly the pint right before bed! I only discovered how effective it was a few months ago🙈. Not had a hangover since!

You know drinking alcohol isn’t compulsory? 😜

I quit the booze as can’t deal with hangovers and realised that I enjoy myself even more sober than I did when drinking.

I quit for health as alcohol left me with poor sleep, my body needs the best chance it can to heal over night. Non-alcoholic drinks were almost as bad with the sugar load and I can’t tolerate sweeteners. Fortunately there are some nice alternatives around now and most of socialising is done at peoples houses so can take along a nice alternative. For me it was a no-brainer.

Here's a link to the nhs page about this
Nhs

I'm pretty much intolerant to alcohol due to chronic fatigue. Grain free vodkas, gin and tequila with a light juice mixer are reported to be easier on your stomach and give less hangover symptoms.

I feel like I have a hangover even after 1-2 glasses of wine so avoid it now as not really worth it.

I still enjoy a few vodkas, not as many as when I was younger, and feel fine in the morning.