To think life is actually better with an occasional drink?

[Boxthemup]

I appreciate some people can't have an occasional drink and I absolutely support their efforts to stay away from it altogether. I wouldn't dream of trying to persuade someone who doesn't want a drink to have one.

However, for the rest of us there is something lovely about being mildly tipsy. It's not that I can't enjoy myself without a drink, I can and do on a daily basis, but having a drink makes everything that bit more relaxed.

My perfect world is maybe 3-4 pints of beer and a putting the world to rights session with intelligent friends in a lovely beer garden or 2/3 bottle of wine and dancing.

I do one or other of these perhaps once or twice a month and thoroughly enjoy it/look forward to it.

I think this is a good thing?

I think that sounds lovely.

For those who can moderate, it sounds perfect.

"I think this is a good thing?"

I think it's a good thing for you but I really don't see the appeal personally.

Sounds great!

I have a nice glass of red wine beside me now as it happens

Yup every friday night Dh and I share a bottle of wine, it helps me to relax a bit after a busy week.

Of course YANBU. If it weren't so pleasant, people wouldn't do it! But it depends what you mean by 'better'. Better as in more enjoyable (as long as you are able to be moderate? Definitely! Better for your health to drink 3-4 pints or 2/3 of a bottle of wine occasionally? No, it's probably still better not to tbh.

Not at all the point, but 3/4 pints or 2/3 bottles of wine would be way beyond mildly tipsy for me! I'm a total lightweight these days, I think 3 glasses of wine would be more than enough to have me pretty drunk. For me maybe 2 glasses of wine or 2-3 g+ts gives me that lovely relaxed, tipsy feeling. There's just something about having that feeling on a warm summers evening. I don't need it to have a good time but do enjoy it now and again.

I would probably only manage a few g&ts but absolutely I don't think there's anything wrong with enjoying a few drinks with friends a couple of times a month.

It would be drinking every day or occasionally but to extreme that would worry me.

Yes I love a drink, I have a glass or 2 of red wine most days or some kind of cream liquer with ice, more at the weekend. I don't think it's a problem and I enjoy it. I'm sitting here with a glass of Aldi Beach Front Merlot, I love it.

I don't think life is better, no.

I think it might be something you enjoy in the same way I enjoy eating steak, but I don't think it makes life better.

Of course!

I mean not for everyone, but it’s a very reasonable POV.

A friend who is a GP says she’d prescribe it if she could for those who can stick to a couple, as it’s great for stress management.

I enjoy a drink. I haven't been drunk for about 8 years. Not everyone can moderate and plenty just don't enjoy it.

Eating steak if you like eating steak does make your life better though?

Doesn't make life better for me, I'm allergic to alcohol and it makes me sick after one drink 🤣 but you do you!

Eating steak if you like eating steak does make your life better though?

I don't think it does. It makes no difference to the overall quality of life I have. I think that runs much deeper.

That's quite a lot of alcohol, not 'an occasional drink', in my book!

I'd agree about literally one beer or cocktail ... my tolerance levels are much lower than yours, it seems

As far as I’m concerned there are no benefits whatsoever to alcohol - so no, I do t think life is better with a drink.

I agree OP. For people that enjoy alcohol and can self-moderate it gives a lovely feeling. I'm enjoying a glass of rose in view of the setting sun in my garden now.

I disagree. I don't drink any more and I really don't miss that feeling. Life is better for it

What a weird thing to say

A friend who is a GP says she’d prescribe it if she could for those who can stick to a couple, as it’s great for stress management.

Good for you , I don’t need alcohol to enjoy myself or feel relaxed .

And as I said, neither do I, but it is easier with. .

I gave a friend who is most sanctimonious about drink but has been on antidepressants for years.

I wouldn't dream of telling her she could do with a drink but I do often think it might do her good.

@Boxthemup it really isn’t , I think you are doing it wrong 😀

Yep. I’m three years sober in August and I do miss it.

Sadly, moderation isn’t possible for me so I’ll have to do without.

I agree and when you hit peri menopause, even two glasses of wine makes you feel like absolute shit. My anxiety has completely disappeared now I dont drink alcohol