Do you drink too much?

[Jon the Hat]

5 hours ago, Costock_Fox said:

A max of 2 drinks when you have drink free days? I’m not sure that’s how it works...

4-5 drink free days, and a limit of 2 drinks on the other days.  Pint of wine anyone?

[Lovejoy]

Sounds pathetic, but having recently stopped working in London, I've gone from drinking five days a week to just weekends. The main reasons for this are I now drive to work instead of using public transport and as a result feel more responsible, and there is just simply not a pub every thirty seconds.

Never been a big one for drinking alone but what I am good at is finding or creating a reason to drink, such as suggesting a pub session with pals/colleagues or even just family over to watch the football on a Sunday afternoon. Football on a Saturday is the big thing for me, a session can start with a couple of pints with a pub breakfast before tins on the train, heavy drinking either side of the game and sometimes a night out to follow back home.

I do Dry January every year and last year I did Sober October, which I plan to again this year. I can give up when I want to, but if I'm being honest with myself, I love the social aspect and actually enjoy the taste of necking a skinful of beer.

[Max Wall]

If you can lie on the floor without holding on, you haven't had too much to drink.

[Alf Bentley]

Drank very heavily from late teens to late twenties (70+ units per week, sometimes 100+). Continued to drink heavily until early fifties (40-50+ units per week) but with longish stints off. Currently teetotal for 3 years & 3 months.

I'm glad that young people drank less spirits when I was young. Drinking spirits, cocktails or even wine seemed more unusual then - or something associated more with the middle-aged - while alcopops didn't exist. I'm sure that young people drinking more spirits is part of the reason why more are suffering liver problems at an early age, as it makes it quicker and easier to down a lot of alcohol. It was quite time-consuming to down 70-100 units when it was all in the form of pints, which is what the vast majority of young blokes drank as I recall.

It's interesting reading this thread after @Ric Flair's outstanding post in the gambling thread. Some people say that they have an "addictive personality", but I think others - myself included - are vulnerable to certain addictions, but not others, due to their psychological make-up. Growing up, I was an emotionally turbulent character. As a response to the problems that caused, my rational side became very dominant on an everyday basis. As a result, I seem to have no vulnerability to gambling whatsoever: I'll occasionally have a bet on the football to spice things up, but it will be a rational decision and I feel zero temptation to risk large sums for the thrill and no compulsion to keep betting, whether I've won or lost. In contrast, when I drink I absolutely DO feel a compulsion to keep drinking. I presume it's the change in brain chemistry caused by alcohol - the booze strips away the rational self-control and I get all the excitement of getting pissed....and then don't want it to stop by sobering up.

People can be problem drinkers in countless different ways. There's the difference between physical dependency (drinking every day & getting the shakes if you stop) and psychological addiction (heavy social drinkers, binge drinkers etc.). Physical dependency can make it dangerous to stop drinking without medical supervision, but you can still destroy yourself at a young age without ever having a physical dependency. It's a nightmare when someone close to us ends up with a serious addiction as the hard truth is that there's little that we can do. They'll only stop if they can find it in themselves to do so. I really feel for you, @cambridgefox, with your Dad's problems. Watching him self-destruct that way must have been so distressing. I'm glad that he came back to you even if it was only for a few years. There really seems to be no logic to such self-destruction. My oldest, closest friend drank himself to death at 55 a few years ago. He was an intelligent, lively bloke who still had plenty to live for: 2 sons just reaching adulthood, lots of good friends, a whole array of stimulating interests. I was just one of several people who tried every possible tactic to get him to change his ways, but none of us succeeded. 

Because I was a chronic binge drinker, not someone who drank every day or continuously, I never developed a physical dependency - but I still did myself physical damage and could have done a lot more. I was lucky that my liver stood up to decades of punishment with no apparent ill-effects. But boozing exacerbated a genetic heart defect (only diagnosed about 7 years ago) and I started having heart issues at 52 that my Mum (who had the same condition) didn't suffer until she was knocking 70.

I might get unlucky and go early but hopefully with some careful health management and booze avoidance, it might only knock a few years off the end of my life, if that. I can relate to what others say about accepting a certain risk, though. When I went wandering around South America years ago, I probably cut my odds of a sudden death from 100,000-1 to 1000-1, but saw the experience as worth the risk. Right now, I have lots of things that I still want to do in life, plus a teenage daughter who needs me to stick around, so it is absolutely NOT worth me taking the risk of drinking now. However, in 10 years time, when my daughter is an independent adult and I'm able to do less in life, it might be worth the risk again, as I do enjoy getting pissed and have some very good memories of my life as a drunkard (as well as plenty of bad ones).

@Izzy Muzzett mentioned drinking as a habit, and that was definitely also part of it for me. But the last 2 years have been a revelation, as it's shown me that not drinking can become the habit. I can honestly only remember once in the last 2 years when I felt an inclination to drink and even that wasn't very strong. During my first year off, I'd feel the temptation occasionally, sometimes a strong temptation. Then it became more a case of recognising feelings that might once have led to a relapse, without feeling tempted. Now, I feel no inclination at all and would have to take a conscious decision to even consider it - not drinking is now the habit.

It's funny how some people are about drinking socially or alone. Even when I was drinking, I had no problem going to a pub with others and drinking soft drinks if I wanted. During the World Cup, I went to a weekend reunion with old friends and spent the whole weekend in the pub watching football and talking. Everyone else was drinking to varying degrees and I was on soft drinks and wasn't tempted in the slightest. Yet if I'd had one beer, I'd have been on the beers all weekend and back in the swing long-term. I couldn't do what Chiles describes in that documentary - meet up with mates, have 2-3 drinks and go home and sober up, not without some very strong reason, anyway. I'd either stay in the pub or go home and have more booze there. In the years just before I stopped, I'd often go to the pub after finishing work, have a couple of pints, then go home and carry on drinking while listening to music. The ex would be there, but in the other room watching the TV with a single glass of wine, so I'd essentially be drinking alone. Not since very young have I drunk to alleviate stress/nerves, either. From my twenties, I drank less in times of stress or change (new job, new partner, enjoyable or stressful life). When I drank most was when life seemed like a dull, grey routine. 

[DANGEROUS TIGER]

Boredom and depression are the root causes of my drinking too much. It's bad when I drink a lot, but don't get drunk. That tells me my body is too used to my intake of alcohol I think that when that happens, you know you have a real problem.

[RumbleFox]

I used to for sure.  In my younger days I would drink when going out then in my late 20s/early 30s would drink at home.  At one point I was probably drinking about a bottle of red wine a night, often alone but now (late 30s) I don't really drink at all.  Maybe one/two glasses of wine a month if I go for food.  X

[Great Boos Up]

If you can't go a day without drinking alcohol then you are an alcoholic.

Or can you state when the last night you didn't drink was? I can't.

This is now actually a problem for me.

[Bryn]

I'd keep a clear distinction between being an alcoholic and drinking to excess. You can easily drink to a degree that is harmful to health without being an alcoholic.

I haven't read the rest of the thread so apologies if I'm repeating what's already been said.

[fleckneymike]

I found Frank Skinner the most fascinating person on the show. The fact that he was honest enough to admit that he found not drinking dull and boring and that he envied people who could was unexpected.

 

[Ric Flair]

I've had my fair share of niggles with boozing, not necessarily ever in the form of an addiction more for health reasons I shouldn't drink to excess and because I've a penchant for acting a complete fcukin penis. 

I spent a lot of my late teens and twenties plastered at weekends, wasted many days hungover and rang in sick more times than I can remember. Some of the situations and injuries I've caused myself have been horrifying (Jan 2013 after we'd beaten Wolves 2-1 on Sky. I decided to slide down the middle bit of the escalator on the tube and shattered my coccyx. Couldn't walk or lay on my back for about 10 weeks). 

It's only been the last 3+ years that I've stopped the regular swigging at weekends and that's through lifestyle and growing up a bit. Having a young son and also moving back from London back in 2014 helped me naturally do this. I still have a few beers at home with the missus in the week and on occasion may drink what I'd class as to excess if on a night out but it's much rarer now. I'm thankful I've got to this point in life with drink, my hangovers have always been diabolical and yet that was never enough reason on it's own to pack it in. I love feeling good at the weekend and being proactive, it's a great sense of contentment.

Many of you have probably read my post about my gambling issues and I'm thankful I've not got similar booze problems to contend with as well but I can't deny I'm a good and honest responsible drinker. I've been a cretin over the years but will take some form of happiness that I've improved massively. I can enjoy a few beers and be in control, whereas with gambling I'll never be in control and that's the key difference. If I were ever to be like that with boozing I'd be a ruthless beast in abstaining, I'd have to be. I'm one of life's prats. 

It's been quite refreshing to read this thread on how many folk seem to be quite sensible drinkers, the media and the world would have you think otherwise of this nation right now. Perhaps it's not quite as bad for the majority as we've been led to believe. 

I will leave you all with one of my favourite clips on the internet though, it makes me proud to be a pisshead from the midlands.

 

[don_danbury]

i'm a binge drinker so yes i certainly do have too much. do i know it's bad for me? of course. 

[Max Wall]

35 minutes ago, don_danbury said:

i'm a binge drinker so yes i certainly do have too much. do i know it's bad for me? of course. 

No one wants to hear a pisshead's opinion mate. 

[don_danbury]

12 hours ago, Max Wall said:

No one wants to hear a pisshead's opinion mate. 

I usually find pissheads have the best opinions.

[Max Wall]

1 minute ago, don_danbury said:

I usually find pissheads have the best opinions.

From one pisshead to another, I wholeheartedly agree 

[spacemunky]

On 30/08/2018 at 12:58, DANGEROUS TIGER said:

Boredom and depression are the root causes of my drinking too much. It's bad when I drink a lot, but don't get drunk. That tells me my body is too used to my intake of alcohol I think that when that happens, you know you have a real problem.

Those were the two main reasons i always drank. Off it now since February and i feel a lot better.

 

I'm on anti-depressants now, so that has helped. 

[SheppyFox]

My personal thought on drinking is if you’re ok with the negative health impacts, drink regularly but it isn’t always on your mind then you’re not an alcoholic and you’re relatively normal.

 

If it’s always on your mind or if you think about it whilst you’re eating breakfast for example there is an issue beyond your physical health.

 

On a personal note as far as health goes I definitely drink too much, 2-3 nights (including weekends).

 

Edited 1 September 2018 by SheppyFox
My*

[Suzie the Fox]

I drink way too much. Really need to cut down again like I have in the past. It’s just very hard  

[Izzy]

1 minute ago, Suzie the Fox said:

I drink way too much. Really need to cut down again like I have in the past. It’s just very hard  

It's really not Suze. You just think it is...

[Suzie the Fox]

Just now, Izzy Muzzett said:

It's really not Suze. You just think it is...

Maybe maybe not, I guess it depends on willpower and strength of character. And mostly wanting to give up. 

 

Its hard for me because I don’t actually want to drink less but know I should. 

 

I dont have a medical reason to quit and don’t particularly suffer from hangovers. On top of that I love the buzz alcohol gives. 

 

I’m not sure if I am an alcoholic I don’t think I am and I don’t drink every day, but I do drink lots on the boozy days. 

 

Something I do need to sort out though.  

[Izzy]

2 minutes ago, Suzie the Fox said:

Maybe maybe not, I guess it depends on willpower and strength of character. And mostly wanting to give up. 

 

Its hard for me because I don’t actually want to drink less but know I should. 

 

I dont have a medical reason to quit and don’t particularly suffer from hangovers. On top of that I love the buzz alcohol gives. 

 

I’m not sure if I am an alcoholic I don’t think I am and I don’t drink every day, but I do drink lots on the boozy days. 

 

Something I do need to sort out though.  

Until your 'should' becomes a 'must' then you'll probably not cut down Suze.

 

The fact you also love the buzz suggests it's something you enjoy - and we're not likely to stop doing something if we really enjoy it.

 

Unless we've got a burning platform or enough of a reason to change, we'll just keep 'shoulding' all over ourselves.

 

If you don't want to drink less, why do you think you need to sort it out? 

 

(Sorry if that sounds a bit unsympathetic )

 

[Suzie the Fox]

11 hours ago, Izzy Muzzett said:

Until your 'should' becomes a 'must' then you'll probably not cut down Suze.

 

The fact you also love the buzz suggests it's something you enjoy - and we're not likely to stop doing something if we really enjoy it.

 

Unless we've got a burning platform or enough of a reason to change, we'll just keep 'shoulding' all over ourselves.

 

If you don't want to drink less, why do you think you need to sort it out? 

 

(Sorry if that sounds a bit unsympathetic )

 

It didn't sound unsympathetic at all. It made a lot of sense, like all of your posts do. 

 

Why do i think i need to sort it out? Well, i am now in my late 40's and although i dont suffer ill effects from booze now, i know i am not doing myself any favours long term  

 

[Guest seanfox778]

Yes, I believe I do!

Edited 3 September 2018 by seanfox778

[BrummieFOX]

I'm sure I read somewhere that millennials are actually drinking less and seek out non-drinking activities more so than previous generations.

 

Anyway, I can quite easily go through mid-week without a drink but then pretty badly binge on the weekend, especially during the season. Normally a few on the Friday, then can easily get through 15 pints on a Saturday. I stay relatively fit though, eat quite well and exercise regularly. Still would like to cut back though. Expensive hobby given the price of craft beers - they're too good though.

[Marmite]

If it was not for the social side of things I would quit drinking for good as I am just fed up of it. I very rarely drink at home because beer out of cans and bottles seems to gas me up so I just drink draught larger on match days but because I am with a group of friends we tend to do at least 10 pints throughout the course of the day. 

This then results in me doing something stupid or offending someone and then I wake up fully clothed on the sofa and feel like absolute death. I then lay around all day Sunday questioning why I drink and then think about negative stuff in my life and its always ten times as bad with a hangover. 

[HighPeakFox]

4 minutes ago, Marmite said:

If it was not for the social side of things I would quit drinking for good as I am just fed up of it. I very rarely drink at home because beer out of cans and bottles seems to gas me up so I just drink draught larger on match days but because I am with a group of friends we tend to do at least 10 pints throughout the course of the day. 

This then results in me doing something stupid or offending someone and then I wake up fully clothed on the sofa and feel like absolute death. I then lay around all day Sunday questioning why I drink and then think about negative stuff in my life and its always ten times as bad with a hangover. 

I mean this kindly, but it strikes me that your drinking is the very opposite of social if it has that effect on you...