For not wanting to give up my glass of red?!

[RunOutOfMoney]

I look forward to a glass of red of an evening, and as much as I think I should stop, I actually don't want to. Is this a problem?

To clarify, I'm not talking more than a glass, and considering that the recommended units of alcohol per week is 14, this allows me to easily have a glass a day .

I remember, though, a time when I could give or take alcohol, and only used to partake very rarely. If I ever had to complete a medical questionnaire, I would put one to 2 units per month max . I think it's currently on my mind because of Stoptober, and it's played on my mind how resistant I was to the idea of joining in.

AIBU? I'm hoping I don't have an alcohol dependence because I am very particular. It has to be one particular bottle or I just don't buy it in. I think someone with a drink problem wouldn't mind what colour it is much less what actual type? I suspect the very fact I am asking is probably going to invite someone to tell me that that shows there's a problem, but it could also be argued that by keeping a finger on the pulse I show that I'm being responsible over it. I just thought I'd ask around and see if everyone else feels the same each evening?

I don't think that level is harmful for health.

If you're unable to go a day without though, it might be psychologically harmful, making you see it as an emotional crutch, which gives you the message you can't quite cope without it. Which will not help self esteem.

And when you do hit some difficult times, which we all do, you might find you go for more than a single glass.

I'd keep it to maybe 3-4 nights a week but keep some free. Get in another nice drink instead. I like non alcoholic beers.

I’m like you OP. It’s a great pleasure for me too. We have a strangely puritan society in sone way that disapproves of that.

Having said that I am not having alcohol for some evenings a for a while, maybe the odd glass of I really want it. Also recently I mixed it up a bit by changing the glass of wine to a Bacardi and coke some evenings instead..

There is no safe level of alcohol

https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health

Mind you, they say exactly the same about smoking.

I would think it’s fine. Might be an idea to have the odd two day break though…

I don't see a problem

There is also no safe level of driving, flying, skiing, chilling on the beach in the sun, horse riding or sausage eating. Every time I do any of those things, my chances of dying sooner increases, as does my happiness. All of which I regularly enjoy.

Ok you’re right and Cancer Research UK are talking out their backsides. Like I say drink gets a free pass every single time.

Take care of your units. A standard glass of wine is 2.3 units and a large glass 3.2. A bottle is 9.7 units.

So your glass of wine a day may be 16-22 units a week, unless you are only having small or half glasses. A glass of wine a day is not easily within the 14 unit limit, and also the recommendation is that you have days off every week.

Your pattern of drinking may not feel extreme and may be considered socially acceptable - but it nevertheless has the potential to be significantly harmful to your health. I concur with others, see if you can cut down and how you feel when you do so.

It may reduce your life .. but as pointed out you have to weigh up 'enjoyment' over sticking rigidly to medical advice. Anecdotal I know, but my DF lived a happy, healthy life .. exercising regularly well into his late 80s but at least a couple of glasses of wine (probably more) every single night with dinner - he lived a full life and died peacefully aged 90.
Other people follow all the guidelines and die younger .

Drink, smoke, eat in moderation. It’s fine.

Weird and aggressive take. Cancer research UK do say there is no safe level of alcohol, but they also say there is no safe level of red meat, as I said. Or sugar.
Obesity raises your risk of breast cancer for example by double the amount drinking does.
Maybe try understanding the research, and the point, before getting shirty?

So I used to do this with cigarettes. I went for several years having 1-2 cigarettes a night every night in the garden. I could easily kid myself that it did me no harm, was just a little thing I did to decompress after putting the kids to bed, that the actual level of nicotine, tar etc was fairly minimal at this level etc etc. I never smoked in the day time or more than 2 but it was actually a habit I was very reluctant to drop and I was pretty much chained to needing that little hit every night, I looked forward to it, I hated missing it for any reason.

In the end I decided to unchain myself, to free myself from this mini-addiction that was likely not causing significant harm but had started to niggle at me. I changed my routines for a couple of months, broke the habit and have never looked back. So glad I did.

Yes, you've got a problem. You're doing 'the it has to be a certain drink, not just ANY drink' (as though being picky elevates you from someone with less funds for their habit). You've already got excuses, it's only one glass, I deserve it, medically it's OK.

Just leave it then.

@Seaweed42 good post.
. Not sure if it's been mentioned yet but there is very good book about alcohol and de mystifying it

Kim

I was such a habit addicted smoker and I so glad I freed myself from it!
It was a massi, ve pointless chain, expensive, dries teeth out, breath...

Clearly touched a nerve, have another drink you need one.

It’s irrelevant how much you actually drink , if you feel the need to drink everyday then you have an issue with alcohol .

Are you drunk? Or did you just not understand either of my posts?

I think you are the one who lacks understanding, as your post states.

But every bit of research we have suggests that moderate amounts of red wine are not at all harmful.

The scientists don’t agree with you, for some reason posting actual facts from Cancer Research UK about alcohol causing cancer has bothered you, take your whataboutery issues up with them, it’s not my problem you don’t like the facts they have published, and seeing as you are so concerned about sugar and obesity causing cancer, well consuming alcohol isn’t going to help on those fronts either, triple whammy.

Not covered yourself in glory with your last post, deeply unpleasant.

I would be very interested to see your proof that the scientists who work at Cancer Research UK agree with your statement that moderate amounts of alcohol are not at all harmful, and that they only state that on their website because the plebs, and me in particular are too thick to understand the science.

One glass isn't bad

It’s something I am trying to cut down because even though I drink under all limits, I find myself putting on weight and looking bloated even though I’m slim. It’s like it gives me a pooch. I also had blood tests recently and noticed my liver (I believe) results had shot up

Well you can't see my proof, so tough luck. It remains true whether you are convinced or not.

Cancer researchers love red wine too. Like doctors, and nhs advisors, and politicians. All the people telling you not to drink drink themselves.

Is anyone surprised by that?

So you can’t back your claim up then, thought not. I don’t care if doctors and scientists drink or not, it doesn’t make the science any less factual, if they choose to ignore their own scientific findings that’s up to them. It is very clear that alcohol is detrimental to health as stated below from the WHO so no I don’t take your word that it’s all fine and dandy to drink without risk to health, it isn’t.

The risks and harms associated with drinking alcohol have been systematically evaluated over the years and are well documented. The World Health Organization has now published a statement in The Lancet Public Health: when it comes to alcohol consumption, there is no safe amount that does not affect health.
It is the alcohol that causes harm, not the beverageAlcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago – this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco. Alcohol causes at least seven types of cancer, including the most common cancer types, such as bowel cancer and female breast cancer. Ethanol (alcohol) causes cancer through biological mechanisms as the compound breaks down in the body, which means that any beverage containing alcohol, regardless of its price and quality, poses a risk of developing cancer.