One drink a night...

[MsFrost]

I have one alcoholic drink most evenings... sometimes a beer, sometimes wine, sometimes G&T, or a short rum/ whisky - basically whatever there is in the cupboard that I fancy.

It's never more than one, but it is pretty much every night - maybe 5 or 6 nights in 7. It's a treat I look forward to and relaxes me a bit. I don't have too many other vices except the odd McDonalds.

AIBU to think this isn't too bad and I don't need to stop?

I think I'd be looking at how I felt if I did not have the drink. If it was a stress reaction or I couldn't not, then it would be a problem for me.

@Callyem Thanks... I could definitely not do it.. I mean I wouldn't fall apart if alcohol suddenly wasn't a thing. But it's nice to have it and I guess I'm reluctant to give it up?

Close family member said they think I'm a bit dependent but I don't think I am really.

It's within the recommended units guidelines but nonetheless it's probably best to have a couple of days each week that are totally alcohol free.

You probably drink a lot less than a lot of the non Mumsnet population. I’d barely count one beer as a drink but that says a lot about me!

Seems fine to me.

How about try a week without it and see what happens and how you feel? Would the prospect bother you?

I don't think you necessarily have a problem any more than people who eat too much processed food or have other vices. It will be increasing your risk of some diseases and affecting your sleep but like you I'd be reluctant to give up drinking! I tend to drink 2-3 nights a week. It's my only vice really health wise. I work out every day, eat very healthily, don't smoke or vape, wear SPF every day...but I love a glass of wine.

Giving up absolutely everything unhealthy isn't for everyone. I think it's up to us what choices we make.

Agree with Callyem. Don't think that's excessive by any stretch, but easy to become reliant. I've been there, I never felt physical pangs so never thought of myself as alcoholic but I was definitely a habitual drinker and 1 glass soon became more...

Be honest with yourself, if you're worried maybe break that habit. If it's genuinely just a tipple for enjoyment I wouldn't worry too much.

Take care.

🍿

It sounds more like a habit than a dependency but habits can easily become dependencies so it's good to make sure you van easily go a few weeks without it. Perhaps limit it to 3-4 days per week so your body is having a proper break but otherwise its fine to have a bit of what you fancy

Try to have 2 consecutive days off a week - that’s recommend then carry on the other days!

I think it's fine but I guarantee another 30 pages of people telling you now that you have an impending problem and to get yourself to AA pronto.....

It’s fine. I used to do the same but was starting to get a bit porky so cut back. It’s basically around 1000 or so empty calories to cut out per week. It was more of a habit for me and one that also became expensive. Bloating is less for cutting back too.

Following on from another thread here, I googled the guidelines for the USA (I knew that the UK is 14 units a week), and it’s one drink per night for women. It doesn’t seem to say anything about 2 consecutive alcohol free days.

If it’s a problem for you, it’s a problem. If drinking one glass of alcohol a night costs more than you can afford it’s a problem. If one glass leads to 10 it’s a problem. If one glass make you aggressive it’s a problem, if it stops you sleeping it’s a problem etc You are currently within recommended limits, you could cut back to zero, you could probably do a lot of things better but do you want to, is it worth it?

When you say one gin etc are you actually measuring it? Is it really only one?

I was advised last year not to drink alcohol at all because it’s a carcinogen (I’m in the high risk for breast cancer group).

I don’t drink much anyway, so I’m not giving up my once weekly cocktail, but I don’t think I’d be comfortable drinking something every day.

I don’t think drinking every day is good for anyone, I’d be wanting at least 2 alcohol free days a week.