To ask what you do on nights when you don't have a glass of wine

[Stuffisperplexing]

I have a glass of wine every single night

Just one (or two)

But I think the reliance on it is unhealthy and I'd like to not drink for a bit

It doesn't help that I have anxiety and low mood and wine gives such a nice dopamine rush

It sort of blows my mind that some people don't drink it at all - I'm quite envious of the self reliance

I have a fine selection of teas and also cordial I keep in the fridge.

These are teaballs:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tea-Ball-Strainers/b?ie=UTF8&node=3544854031

The ones with a handle are great for stirring. The ones that clip over the side of the cup are nicer if you like to leave the herb percolating while you drink it.

I generally make a second cup a few hours later using the same teaball (i.e. don't refill with fresh herbs, just resubmerge the already used ones). Sometimes it'll even stretch a third cup half filled cup when the herbs are still giving out.

One half filled teaball of herbs is enough for an evening though. It's potent!

Herbal tea - ginger or berry

Diet lemonade, maybe a nosecco or Heineken zero at weekends. I know how to party!

Do what I do, don’t buy alcohol unless you mean to drink it for a reason, party, friends etc. I do the same with sweet food, so as not to be tempted, because I am so weak willed.

Bottlegreen type cordial and tonic water.

If you’re post menopausal like me, drinking tea all evening would be a very bad idea unless you want to be going to the loo on the hour every hour all night.

I have a slim line tonic with ice and lemon, and on some days add a dash of alcohol free gin.

a Friend of mine had to cut down for health reasons and he decided to do “fancy soft drinks”

he bought a new tall fancy glass and some fun straws and would fill with ice a squash or cordial.

Good luck on cutting down OP!

I very rarely drink, I do LOVE an ice cold can of Pepsi max in the evening though!!
I also enjoy having a bath with candles (and sometimes a can of Pepsi max too 🤣) and either an audiobook or some music etc

I'm known as the sensible drinker because I only want one. Most people I know who drink can't stop after one until it runs out but I don't seem to have that gene.

I find time goes excruciatingly slowly. I perceive that I move through it quickly while everything is catching up (supposedly this is an ADHD trait but that's a whole other thread). I find wine aligns me with time better.

Switch to decaff, have one caffienated in the morning and then decaff for the rest of the day. It was a gamechanger for anxiety and sleeo for me. I have decaff coffee and decaff tea that I drink all day.

Gently this is how alcoholics think, they justify why they aren't an alcoholic. Having a glass of wine every night is definitely problematic for you liver, even if it's just one not having any alcohol free days is bad for you. This article sums up quite well why it's important to have alcohol free days in your week - https://theconversation.com/a-drink-each-day-or-just-on-the-weekends-heres-why-alcohol-free-days-are-important-210193#:~:text=So%2C%20no%20drinking%20then?,getting%20up%20early%20to%20exercise.

I think I saw you reply to someone about ADHD, if you have ADHD you are at a higher risk of addiction because of how our dopamine works. I would really encourage you to find something else to do to fill your evenings. The wine is likely helping with over or under stimulation, I'm similar but with food. Finding healthy coping mechanisms for this takes time but exercise, weighted blankets, music, yoga etc. are all things to try.

I very rarely drink, not because I’m teetotal, we have plenty in the house that’s been largely gifted.
i used to enjoy a glass of wine occasionally but I actually prefer a long old drink like fruit juice with soda or sparkling water.
i doubt if I have three drinks a year.

I wish people would stop saying gently it is the Mumsnet version of no offence but 🤣

I agree, soooo condescending 🤣

I very rarely drink alcohol at home. I think a glass of wine is fine but alcohol is habit forming and it's easy to creep up to one or two, half a bottle, most of the bottle, might as well finish it over time! If you struggle with the thought of having an alcohol free night, that suggests that it is becoming a problem.

I just watch tv and have a glass of water if Im thirsty. I am not really into drinks as such. Sometimes I have a minty chewing gum. I don't know why people need to eat or drink as soon as they sit down to relax.

Haven't read thread but I basically don't even understand the OPs question. What does she do on nights she does have wine? Or does she just sit drinking wine and staring at the wall? Odd.

If you are bored in the evening you could try gaming, borrowing a book from the library or going to bed earlier and getting up and going for a run in the morning.

I have fresh oranges and grapefruits so for a treat I squeeze them and drink fresh juice.

Also eat chocolate.

Luvverly cup of tea.

I never think about it. Like I never think about smoking.

For the past 28 years, I used to drink wine every night at home, at my worst it was between 1& 2 bottles, it became a habit. Socially, If I was driving, I would not drink but always had a glass once home from any events.

If I had a day that I did not drink (due to having too much the previous evening and a bad sleep). I would honestly think I had done so well - one night booze free.

Over this Christmas period I have been poorly, now on antibiotics I am unable to drink (that never worried me before, I would still drink).

Having not drunk since 30th December - (I was only drinking as it was in the fridge) - the desire for wine has passed.

I realise it is only 4 days I have not had alcohol. I currently feel strong enough to top my glass up with

Strawberry/Melon squash & fizzy water
Apple/Pear squash & fizzy water

Fizzy water on its own
Cranberry & fizzy water or
the drinks above with diet lemonade.

It is early days, I hope the wine drinking habit does not return, taking it one day at a time.