Alcohol - when does it become a problem?

[PamT]

I know that quite a lot of the members here talk about the amount of wine they drink and I'm not suggesting that anyone has a problem, but when does drinking become a problem? I don't drink an awful lot and if I open a bottle of wine it does tend to last 2 or 3 days but more often now I am finding myself thinking that I would like a drink, particularly when the kids are really stressing me out. I never drink more than a couple of measures on my own, but is that strong desire for a drink a sign that I am on a slippery slope - or does it just mean that I need to relax and enjoy a drink? I'm strong willed enough at the moment to resist but these thoughts do worry me.

My friend and I were discussing our current states of mind on the way home from school today and we are both feeling really down and unmotivated. We both finally have a couple of hours on our own with our youngest children in nursery/playgroup, yet our get up and go seems to have got up and gone. I spend my time on message boards and she watches tv, then we both see the mess that surrounds us and get more annoyed with ourselves but have no enthusiasm to do anything about it. Perhaps its just that the summer holidays have taken their toll or maybe we both need a kick up the bum.

Sorry to lump the two subjects together but they all seem to be part of the same problem. Your opinions and suggestions would be welcome. (BTW we both have a DH around but neither really seems to be clued up about how we are feeling)

janh, I totally agree with you. It's the habit that's hard to beat and I looooove that mellow feeling. Are you feeling brave for tonight or shall we start tomorrow?!!!

Have to be tomorrow now, ghengis - I already blew tonight.

Mind you tomorrow will be relatively easy for me as I have to take DS2 to the hospital for a dental X ray at 6.15pm - this gives me a very unfair advantage, I know!

Maybe we should leave it until Wednesday to keep it fair - as we're both tackling the same problem? Your call!

Well they had some very nice Rioja on special in Tesco yesterday, normally £7.99 each, two for @10, it's very good!

Had three galsses already, off to watch University Challenge with another!

Ooops, wish there was a spell check! (three glasses!)

Rioja? Is that Red? Marks & Sparks own label Italian Red Wine is gorgeoua and quite cheap

I know the one you mean, Alibubbles, something Mara, they also have the ordinary one at £3.49, trouble with "2 for £10" (or worse still "3 for £10" ) is that it means having more than one bottle in and most of us know where that leads!

(Not you, obviously, anybody who can keep 250 bottles in the house doesn't have that problem!)

Stop! I have sucumbed and am into my second glass of Cab Sauv Shiraz - feeling a bit more mellow now. Okay, Wednesday it is! You Mums crack me up!

Back again! Scored 100 points!
The Rioja is a spanish red, not what I'd normally drink, but it's very good. Have to laugh, Majestic rang during dinner, my 2 cases of Haut Cotes de Beaune are in, - that's my favoutite!

How Ironic!!! The thread that was originally about women drinking too much wine every evening has now progressed on to the good wine guide!! If you're gonna drink, it might as well be the good stuff!! Lol!

Hi, Just caught up with this thread today.
before ds came along dh and I would often polish off 1 or 2 bottles of wine in an evening, esp at weekends.
In the last 2 - 3 years we seem to have slowed down a bit, but often share one bottle over an evening, otherwise have 1 glass of whiskey or martini or some such.
I don't see it as a problem. My father was seriously alcoholic, drink being THE most important think to him in his later years.

The thing is I married into a family (DH excluded) who hardly ever drink. there is NOTHING more depressing than a funeral where only tea is served !!! Or a wedding anniversary party where the only alcohol is warm Leibfraumilch.

I agree we should be careful, and not get plastered when caring for small children. But alcohol does now have a place in our society and our homes. Mothering (actually parenting generally) can be hugely stressful, and a glass or two of wine can certainly help deal with that.

EVERYTHING in moderation please mumnetters.

it's a worry... I drink pretty much consistently (that being 1-5 (predominantly the latter) an evening) with no ill effects.... (I'm incredibly fit).. but every 5-7 days I have to have at least a bottle a night and a few cigarettes (which I never have normall) should I fess up and do the whole AA thing - but then I'll feel like a light weight... or is there some sort of herbal remedy which will keep me on more of an even keel.. ps. I never want to drink in the day or drink sprirts...