How much do you drink, honestly?
Discussion
the government guidelines are waaaay too low IMO.
If they were a little more realistic, then people may make an effort to stay close to them.
I'm not a heavy drinker: i will often have a couple of 'home measures' (probably doubles/triples) of vodka a couple of nights a week watching telly, a couple of doubles at the pub on a wednesday night and a glass of wine/double vodka/coke on meals out.
that puts me at between 25-30 units a week.
For my trouble the government labels me some sort of lush, which is palpably ridiculous, that is only moderate drinking by any sensible measure.
If they were a little more realistic, then people may make an effort to stay close to them.
I'm not a heavy drinker: i will often have a couple of 'home measures' (probably doubles/triples) of vodka a couple of nights a week watching telly, a couple of doubles at the pub on a wednesday night and a glass of wine/double vodka/coke on meals out.
that puts me at between 25-30 units a week.
For my trouble the government labels me some sort of lush, which is palpably ridiculous, that is only moderate drinking by any sensible measure.
Nothing, I gave up this year, not that I had a problem with drinking before but I was finding even 3 or 4 pints was ruining me the next day, wine, spirits too.
I've also focused a lot more on my cycling this year, early rides and a hangover don't mix, neither does a 3 year old that wakes at 6am most days!
I can honestly say I don't miss it, things may change but for the time being I'm tee total.
I've also focused a lot more on my cycling this year, early rides and a hangover don't mix, neither does a 3 year old that wakes at 6am most days!
I can honestly say I don't miss it, things may change but for the time being I'm tee total.
smileymikey said:
Couldn't cope with the stress of my job and one morning, I was in a hotel in Central London had a cheeky Gordons Gin out of the mini bar at eight in the morning and fell off the edge of the world for more than a decade.
Kudos for coming out and saying it like that, good to see you've come back from the brink.
I witnessed my uncle slowly drink himself to death, the effect on his two boys, my Grandmother and my Dad is unforgettable.
Typically Mon-Thursday, nothing unless there is a social of some kind. I might also have one beer before bed if I have had band rehearsal to help wind down.
Friday I will have either a couple of G&T's then maybe a beer or two. I might drink wine instead.
Sat is similar to friday but wine is more likely, I'll share a white with the wife or drink most of a red if on the wine.
Sun, will see any leftovers gone.
I don't mind getting drunk but I don't drink to get drunk. I like the flavour and variety (especially gin and wine). I cut out Mon-Thurs drinking as I was getting fat rather than any direct alcohol concerns.
Friday I will have either a couple of G&T's then maybe a beer or two. I might drink wine instead.
Sat is similar to friday but wine is more likely, I'll share a white with the wife or drink most of a red if on the wine.
Sun, will see any leftovers gone.
I don't mind getting drunk but I don't drink to get drunk. I like the flavour and variety (especially gin and wine). I cut out Mon-Thurs drinking as I was getting fat rather than any direct alcohol concerns.
Welshbeef said:
Have you tried the 0% beers? I’ve not stigma I suppose but if they did taste as good as proper beer I’d probably switch. To me I really enjoy the flavour of the beer and Cidar and fizz and wine I don’t do spirits.
On the last two pregnancies in hospital I’ve had loads of gas and air while waiting. My god it’s bliss I take it hard as much as my lungs can take and then hold it in keep doing it and in barely 30 seconds my hands are tingling and my face feels like it’s so so warm. I’ve said to so many re the addiction of the booze the upside is the buzz it gives you but I’d happily do gas and air instead with 0% beer. A mate is a Dr and when I mentioned this he flagged that in Swansea A&E there are weekly regulars who come in with the intention to get smashed on gas and air. His quandary is these guys are serious boozers total addiction however aside from suffocating risk gas and air is utterly risk free. So now they go to A&E to top up on gas and air saving their livers for a short time.
Once I was in hospital in patient and was in a ward some chap came in had been on the scotch for 3 weeks hard his “mates” dropped him off in A&E. He was yellow his eyes looked horribly yellow. He stank of booze nice chap we chewed the fat for a few hours on that Sunday morning. Then something went wrong dr and nurses running towards him as he choked and violently shacking as he was restrained the noise was horrific he was in utter agony.
He died there - they didn’t have time to close the curtains or move him out. I watched it all. I asked later what happened and why, turns out his liver had s
t down there was no option he was DNR. The guy wasn’t even 30 I was early 20’s.
After that I didn’t have a drop of booze for 10months. It haunts me still - moreso when the nurse and separately the Dr verified that death with liver failure is horrific it’s agony. I can remember it in full like it was this morning yet it’s decades ago.
My mates mum died at 42 from liver failure. Went in to hospital and within the week was dead. Three days in she perked up considerably like a new person then just nose dived. Apparently it can do that, what a cruel way to die, giving everyone false hope. She wasn't a alcoholic. Just someone who loved to party. On the last two pregnancies in hospital I’ve had loads of gas and air while waiting. My god it’s bliss I take it hard as much as my lungs can take and then hold it in keep doing it and in barely 30 seconds my hands are tingling and my face feels like it’s so so warm. I’ve said to so many re the addiction of the booze the upside is the buzz it gives you but I’d happily do gas and air instead with 0% beer. A mate is a Dr and when I mentioned this he flagged that in Swansea A&E there are weekly regulars who come in with the intention to get smashed on gas and air. His quandary is these guys are serious boozers total addiction however aside from suffocating risk gas and air is utterly risk free. So now they go to A&E to top up on gas and air saving their livers for a short time.
Once I was in hospital in patient and was in a ward some chap came in had been on the scotch for 3 weeks hard his “mates” dropped him off in A&E. He was yellow his eyes looked horribly yellow. He stank of booze nice chap we chewed the fat for a few hours on that Sunday morning. Then something went wrong dr and nurses running towards him as he choked and violently shacking as he was restrained the noise was horrific he was in utter agony.
He died there - they didn’t have time to close the curtains or move him out. I watched it all. I asked later what happened and why, turns out his liver had s
t down there was no option he was DNR. The guy wasn’t even 30 I was early 20’s. After that I didn’t have a drop of booze for 10months. It haunts me still - moreso when the nurse and separately the Dr verified that death with liver failure is horrific it’s agony. I can remember it in full like it was this morning yet it’s decades ago.
Welshbeef said:
Have you tried the 0% beers? I’ve not stigma I suppose but if they did taste as good as proper beer I’d probably switch. To me I really enjoy the flavour of the beer and Cidar and fizz and wine I don’t do spirits.
On the last two pregnancies in hospital I’ve had loads of gas and air while waiting.
I’ve tried 0% beer, but I drink for the effects really, not the taste so no real point in it. On the last two pregnancies in hospital I’ve had loads of gas and air while waiting.
Hanging out in pubs, clubs, titty bars etc, was pretty boring with no alcohol in the system. My whole social life rotated around having beer in me, as sober I don’t function in public or with people. As mentioned on the 365 days thread, I don’t feel normal until I have a beer in my belly, even one makes me feel ‘normal’. Some sort of mild social anxiety I guess.
I’m not even sure what this gas is which you speak of. Nitrous oxide? How come they give it to you? I know you can buy N2O yourself for car acting etc.
It's worrying though not surprising to see how many drink, and how much.
It's seen as 'normal' as 'everyone' drinks - a non-drinker is definitely the exception these days.
I drank with supposedly no issues until my forties, when I began to realise how much I was drinking. Cut down for a while but it only crept back up again - as it invariably does. That went on for maybe ten years.
I've stopped drinking (for the third time) and am very much the better for it; health, financially and socially.
It's seen as 'normal' as 'everyone' drinks - a non-drinker is definitely the exception these days.
I drank with supposedly no issues until my forties, when I began to realise how much I was drinking. Cut down for a while but it only crept back up again - as it invariably does. That went on for maybe ten years.
I've stopped drinking (for the third time) and am very much the better for it; health, financially and socially.
Henners said:
Welshbeef said:
Ok so calling time tonight.
Rare Sunday drinking - but 11 in the belly Doombar. A good 5-6 in the last 2 hours really ??
Shows you how much you can build up a tolerance.Rare Sunday drinking - but 11 in the belly Doombar. A good 5-6 in the last 2 hours really ??
Last time I had anything like that, about a year ago for some type of celebration, i was sick and didn't get out to bed until 3pm the next day!
I once woke up with some idea I had had a collision in my hot rod, and my hungover brain went into overdrive manufacturing possible scenarios, then deciding they may have been real. Then I found some red paint on the front mudguard and decided I had hit a car in the early morning. I didn’t dare drive the car for weeks.
Later I found it was off our front gate post......
This was not in the UK. They only made drink driving illegal two years ago in the Philippines, and don’t even have the breathalyser equipment yet. Most everybody I knew would drive to the bar, have a skinful, drive home.
Still, back in the U.K., and dry for over a year now, and glad of it. My wife used to call me Jekyl and Hyde, as I would totally change after a certain quantity of alcohol.
King Herald said:
I’ve tried 0% beer, but I drink for the effects really, not the taste so no real point in it.
Hanging out in pubs, clubs, titty bars etc, was pretty boring with no alcohol in the system. My whole social life rotated around having beer in me, as sober I don’t function in public or with people. As mentioned on the 365 days thread, I don’t feel normal until I have a beer in my belly, even one makes me feel ‘normal’. Some sort of mild social anxiety I guess.
I’m not even sure what this gas is which you speak of. Nitrous oxide? How come they give it to you? I know you can buy N2O yourself for car acting etc.
Gas and air they give to women giving birth generally but also Sports people who have on field injury (Take rugby on Sat Wales v NZ Jake Ball tore his bicept in game and was screaming in agony gave him lots of gas and air which totally takes the edge away). Hanging out in pubs, clubs, titty bars etc, was pretty boring with no alcohol in the system. My whole social life rotated around having beer in me, as sober I don’t function in public or with people. As mentioned on the 365 days thread, I don’t feel normal until I have a beer in my belly, even one makes me feel ‘normal’. Some sort of mild social anxiety I guess.
I’m not even sure what this gas is which you speak of. Nitrous oxide? How come they give it to you? I know you can buy N2O yourself for car acting etc.
Usually buy 4 beers on the way home each night, more often than not I'll finish them but some times leave the odd one or two depending on how late I have dinner - eating late tends to leave me feeling bloated and less inclined to drink.
Done this for well over 10 years now and never once had the urge to get more or look for something else if I've finished the last beer. Compared to some of the numbers on here its tame, so why does it scare the sh*t out of me?
Done this for well over 10 years now and never once had the urge to get more or look for something else if I've finished the last beer. Compared to some of the numbers on here its tame, so why does it scare the sh*t out of me?
Sa Calobra said:
My mates mum died at 42 from liver failure. Went in to hospital and within the week was dead. Three days in she perked up considerably like a new person then just nose dived. Apparently it can do that, what a cruel way to die, giving everyone false hope. She wasn't a alcoholic. Just someone who loved to party.
That’s a reason there to stop for good. D1bram said:
Inspired by the life expectancy thread, I have just been reviewing what I actually drink, already being aware that I probably drink too much.
I'm just at the end of 3 months with zero alcohol. It's been quite tough, but I've managed with Becks Blue.... I had a heart problem, so was advised to give up and hopefully can go back on it this week. 
But to answer your question, at least half a bottle of wine a day - which I'm told is too much. A visit to the pub was at least 2 pints.
The Ferret said:
Usually buy 4 beers on the way home each night, more often than not I'll finish them but some times leave the odd one or two depending on how late I have dinner - eating late tends to leave me feeling bloated and less inclined to drink.
Done this for well over 10 years now and never once had the urge to get more or look for something else if I've finished the last beer. Compared to some of the numbers on here its tame, so why does it scare the sh*t out of me?
Regardless of what others are doing on here (and some have massive issues that need addressing IMO), having 4 beers every single night is not only physically bad for you but also points at quite a psychological dependence too. Try having a couple of nights off a week and see how hard it is maybe? Done this for well over 10 years now and never once had the urge to get more or look for something else if I've finished the last beer. Compared to some of the numbers on here its tame, so why does it scare the sh*t out of me?
Badda said:
Regardless of what others are doing on here (and some have massive issues that need addressing IMO), having 4 beers every single night is not only physically bad for you but also points at quite a psychological dependence too. Try having a couple of nights off a week and see how hard it is maybe?
That's it though, it isn't hard, just less relaxing and not quite as enjoyable. I've done days, weeks and months without it, and you get used to it, but evenings are better in the summer with a cold beer, and in the winter with a cold beer in front of a warm fire.I've never drank to get drunk, quite the opposite in fact. I actually hate the feeling of being drunk, its horrible imo - room spinning, vomiting, banging head the next day along with rough guts. On the flipside, a couple of beers and I feel nicely relaxed and I sleep like a log, far better than I ever did before I'd discovered alcohol.
I go out of my way to avoid situations which involve drinking any more than a pint or two. As an example, some of the lads at work went out on Friday for a few beers in town. I made an excuse not to. Had it been a quick pint after work then I'd have probably joined them, but I've no interest in anything more than that. Instead I went home and ended up actually not drinking anything as I went for a long run then had a late dinner, and just couldn't be arsed to drive to the shop after that. However, according to the NHS my drinking levels are dangerous, which is what gets you worried - but then you sit and think about it and the lads that went out of Friday probably drank my weekly intake in one night.
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