Did anybody see the Panaroma about binge drinking last night?

[Orangelight23]

Real eye opener for me. Women in their 30s being diagnosed with liver disease. I must admit I have myself been drawn into wine culture and drinking wine to relax.

It's made me have a real think about my alcohol intake to be honest.

It's fucking horrific.

There is a happy medium though. I only drink once a month or so but when I do I love it, it's absolutely sublime, I can dance and dance and talk and talk and love seeing all my friends and we have loads of daft fun together for a few hours.

It's magic and I will never totally stop.

If anybody has successfully got out of wine culture and the habit of using wine to relax do they have any tips? Any alternatives to opening that bottle?

If you find out let me know.
So many people say things like 'go for a run or find something else that you enjoy.'
The sad fact is I don't enjoy much more in an evening than relaxing at home with a drink. I know I shouldn't. I know it's bad for my health but it gives you a feeling that is enjoyable.
I've been brought up around alcohol and I really think I have some issues around it now. But I genuinely would be miserable without it.

I do agree. Some people will say it's sad and there's more to life. Honestly though after a hard day and once the kids are in bed getting on the couch with DH and opening a bottle really is bliss. It is getting more and more frequent now though and I know I need to cut back.

Play the computer, clean, crochet.

Basically anything that requires an active brain. Before long you'll be as sad as me and deciding not to have a drink with Sunday lunch because you have a complicated crochet pattern you're dying to get back to and you need to count stitches.

I’ve been having the Trip drinks (CBD) whilst I’m cooking then I find if I get past 7.30 I’m good.

I’ve cut down to just drinking mainly on a Friday/Saturday and less than I was. I have to say the horrificness of my hangovers and impact on my sleep has had more of an impact on cutting down than my willpower.

I like the CBD drinks like Trip.

For me the key has been to find a non alcoholic alternative drink that I really enjoy and sip that instead of wine. Fevertree has a really good range of naturally low sugar soft drinks and their spiced orange ginger ale is fabulous, served with a couple of frozen orange slices and a sprig of mint to make it look pretty.

Very interested in trying the Trip drinks. The flavours sound amazing!

Just googled Trip drinks, they sound interesting!

I always think about that quote from Tom on Succession about when you get home from a busy day and open a bottle and the feeling when that first sip of cold white wine hits your empty stomach.

I think it's completely blinkered to dismiss the nice feelings alcohol give you, the loosening of inhibitions, the (short term I know) burst of excitement and just feeling...different.

Life can be such a grind sometimes it's nice to feel floaty for a bit.

@slawslaw - I was just thinking about that quote!

hahaaa, yes, so that's why we all take up a crafting hobby in our 50's!

I've tried Trip, they are expensive and not the same 🙈

He describes it so well!

I actually find watching people drink on tv really hard when I'm trying not to! It's prolific.

Alcohol is not the only cause of liver disease. Misuse, over dose or long term usage of many medicines, even widely used, freely available things like paracetamol, can cause liver damage leading to liver failure. The only person I know personally who has died of liver failure had hepatitis. He didn't drink at all.

Same here. I don't know anybody who has had problems who drink regularly and I'm mid fifties. Four female friends who have died from cancer in their 40's/early 50's though. Only one was a 'couple of glasses a night' drinker.
I enjoy a drink to end my day, but I'm conscious of not overdoing it. I grew up in then90's and we binge drank every Friday night/when socialising-was just the norm round here.

This is so true. As well as the enjoyment and relaxation, alcohol has its uses. My brain has never been as busy as the last 2 years of drinking very little. I strongly believe I have adhd and have been self medicating with alcohol without realising my whole adult life. I really don’t enjoy being in my head now, and am far more stressed and anxious in day to day life.

also- we can’t just pretend that alcohol dependency and addiction isnt a common trauma response. Twittering about silly women getting wrapped up in gin o’clock completely dismisses this.

there is a reason that the highest drinking countries and cultures and the same ones that have experienced generational trauma.

I do not live in England/UK.

I eat no UPF shite at all mainly fresh fish and vegetables and am not overweight in the slightest/do not smoke and am mid fifties.
5 of my friends died of bowel cancer in the last 2 years (in England) under 55.
Why would that be? It was not alcohol.

But thanks.

You do you. I will do me.

This made me laugh!

The documentary did state the figures and they were very low for women still in the overall population. That said the % has risen drastically (hardly surprising) over the last few decades. I've virtually convinced myself now I've got liver damage and I'm spiralling a bit!

I find the denial on this thread really sad to be honest. What’s so radical about limiting the poison you put in your body??

I drink a few times a year for big occasions and go all out so to speak, thoroughly enjoy myself but over a year I average only about half a glass a week. I look younger than many my age - I definitely have better skin than my drinking pals.

I tend to alternate sparkly water with wine and if anybody’s struggling to find an alternative in the evenings, I totally recommend going to the gym and completely change your environment- if you chose the right exercise you get a buzz which can become pretty great over time. I’ve also learned to value having a clear head - i am 50 now and I don’t want to feel out of control any more.

Interesting, thank you.

Some interesting stats here
https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/statistics/