To drink a pint or more everyday?

[Kalista018]

I find that I literally can’t go a day without having a drink. It’s not that I drink heavily or go out partying — it’s just something I do in the evening to unwind, usually just a pint or so. I think it might be more of a psychological habit than anything else. How much do you all drink on a daily basis? What’s considered normal?

If you’re asking yourself whether it’s too much and worrying about it then it might be a sign to stop. How does the thought of not having a drink tonight sit? I drink because of anxiety and boredom and like you have a drink most nights. I never have more than that but it does worry me and the older I get, the worse I feel afterwards

It’s normal not to need a drink every day.

If you are drinking anymore than 1 pint of low strength beer a night you are drinking over the recommended limit. 7 pints of 3.6% beer is 14 units. If it’s more like 5% beer, 1 pint a night equals 21 units per week which is 7 units too many.

I’m not sure if your drinking habits would be considered normal or not. It depends how you define normal I suppose. I’m sure a hell of a lot of people do it if that’s what you mean.

If you can't go without then it's a problem.

Being totally truthful with yourself (not necessarily something you have to share here), how many nights is it where it is just one pint, and how many is it actually more? When was the last time you didn't drink?

If you're asking, then deep down I think you know it's a problem too. And that's a really big first step. Do you want to change this?

A pint of what? Beer, not so bad, but wine, or even worse, gin or vodka, then no, not good.

I drink three or four nights a week but it’s only ever the one drink - sometimes cider, sometimes a vodka and coke.
if I were you I would try having one night without a drink - or cut down to half a pint and then when you’re used to that, cut it down again.

14 units now for both men and women.

for a woman that is max a bottle and a half of wine A week with ideally 85ml servings!. I’m not good what that means with pints (this based on a programme about 5 years old after the units were changed from a then 28 for men and 21 for women)

Use to drink out of similar habit, now approaching my longest streak 100 days without it but one point I use to be the same (habit and psych). 🫣 just think you’ve got detained somewhere where they don’t serve it up.

85ml servings

🤣🤣🤣

@Kalista018

It's likely more the habit/ritual that you're finding addictive. An indications it's finally time to relax.

try swapping it out for a non alcoholic drink that's a bit special.

It's not about the amount, it's about the need. Do you need to have that drink op?

Addiction always starts with a psychological need. Then as your body becomes dependant on the substance it becomes both physical and psychological.

I recommend doing something about it before the need becomes a physical need.

I will start my saying I love a drink, have had a couple of pints today, will have more later.

But the moment you question if you drinking too much and realise it's everyday...that's the time to stop. You know it's too much and you need to give up.

Thanks, everyone — your responses really helped me reflect. I don’t drink as much as I used to, but I’m going to try having at least one or two alcohol-free days a week. That said… a cold beer after a long day in this weather just hits differently! 🙈

There are some pretty decent alcohol free beers and ciders these days. Why not try some of those instead?

So true I have a week drink free per month but can still go out and feel like im.having a drink