Alcohol Consumption - Open question
Discussion
rossub said:
samsock said:
rossub said:
The current guideline of 14 units a week is just stupid.
Personally I wish we could go back to the 80s/90s when there was less of the nanny state b
ks we have to put up with now.Which rather suggests the figures are just pulled out of thin air!
But nanny always knows best, allegedly.
Guidelines are bks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us.
I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
ks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us. I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
Trophy Husband said:
Guidelines are bks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us.
I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
Giving individual examples and trying to extrapolate the results across the entire population is idiotic. ks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us. I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
Trophy Husband said:
Guidelines are bks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us.
I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
About time someone else with sense turned up on this thread. Sub 28 units and a reasonably healthy lifestyle and it’s extremely unlikely alcohol will cause problems.ks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us. I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
FWIW, I’ve drunk over 28 units per week for 20 years. Liver function test last summer for income protection insurance purposes and all was fine.
rossub said:
Trophy Husband said:
Guidelines are bks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us.
I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
About time someone else with sense turned up on this thread. Sub 28 units and a reasonably healthy lifestyle and it’s extremely unlikely alcohol will cause problems.ks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us. I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
FWIW, I’ve drunk over 28 units per week for 20 years. Liver function test last summer for income protection insurance purposes and all was fine.
I used to drink half a bottle of wine every weeknight (more at weekends) for 15yrs.
It started with the proverbial glass of wine with dinner because that’s what nice middle-class respectable professionals do, and probably became more when we had a kid four years ago. You don’t go out so much so it’s fine to stay in drinking, right? Hell its cheaper!
However two tears ago I had a heart attack at 44, non smoker, no family history, low cholesterol, blood pressure otherwise fine, reasonably active but a little bit overweight - I wasn’t what people would call ‘fat’ but my BMI was too high. I had one artery on the cusp of closure which needed a stent fitting. My official risk factor was ‘obesity’. Like you I was not what people would call ‘visually fat’ but that was my official diagnosis.
My wife was convinced that booze did it and I had to cut it out completely. My cardiologist said everything is fine in moderation.
So, I’ve completely knocked booze on the head Mon-Thurs, and scaled it back Fri-Sun. at the outset I thought I would absolutely hate the dry days, but after a few weeks it just became the new normal, now I don’t miss it at all. I realise that my post-work drink had just become force of habit.
I’m feeling fitter, healthier and generally better all round on this new regime. I’ve lost a stone andI genuinely look forward to a Friday night beer or glass of wine as a treat rather than just something I shove down my neck every night.
Don’t wanna get parochial but why not give it a try? Lying in a hospital bed wired up to loads of monitors wondering if you’ll see your kid again is a fabulous way of focusing the mind on what matters most, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you can avoid it.
It started with the proverbial glass of wine with dinner because that’s what nice middle-class respectable professionals do, and probably became more when we had a kid four years ago. You don’t go out so much so it’s fine to stay in drinking, right? Hell its cheaper!
However two tears ago I had a heart attack at 44, non smoker, no family history, low cholesterol, blood pressure otherwise fine, reasonably active but a little bit overweight - I wasn’t what people would call ‘fat’ but my BMI was too high. I had one artery on the cusp of closure which needed a stent fitting. My official risk factor was ‘obesity’. Like you I was not what people would call ‘visually fat’ but that was my official diagnosis.
My wife was convinced that booze did it and I had to cut it out completely. My cardiologist said everything is fine in moderation.
So, I’ve completely knocked booze on the head Mon-Thurs, and scaled it back Fri-Sun. at the outset I thought I would absolutely hate the dry days, but after a few weeks it just became the new normal, now I don’t miss it at all. I realise that my post-work drink had just become force of habit.
I’m feeling fitter, healthier and generally better all round on this new regime. I’ve lost a stone andI genuinely look forward to a Friday night beer or glass of wine as a treat rather than just something I shove down my neck every night.
Don’t wanna get parochial but why not give it a try? Lying in a hospital bed wired up to loads of monitors wondering if you’ll see your kid again is a fabulous way of focusing the mind on what matters most, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you can avoid it.
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 16th January 19:17
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Wednesday 16th January 19:22
https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/peo...
Everything you need is there.
I seem to remember you saying you drank 50-60 units a week and I can understand why you’re trying to pretend it’s OK as you’re in denial.
Everything you need is there.
I seem to remember you saying you drank 50-60 units a week and I can understand why you’re trying to pretend it’s OK as you’re in denial.
Badda said:
https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/peo...
Everything you need is there.
I seem to remember you saying you drank 50-60 units a week and I can understand why you’re trying to pretend it’s OK as you’re in denial.
Erm no I’m not. I’ve already said I drink more than is healthy and I accept that risk. All my posts are saying 14 units is ridiculous and that 28 is a far more realistic safe level. Everything you need is there.
I seem to remember you saying you drank 50-60 units a week and I can understand why you’re trying to pretend it’s OK as you’re in denial.
I’m not for one second suggesting drinking 50-60 units a week is normal or safe
OP I used to be the same. Alcohol was the demarcation between being at work and being relaxed at home. Especially important as I largely work from home. I used to have half a bottle of wine at least plus two pints.
Without it I couldn’t separate work from home.
Although not an alcoholic it was a dependency of sorts. I had to change for my health. It wasn’t easy. Now dinner is the separator.
I’d say youve become dependent on the whiskey for psychological reasons to separate work from home. Find something else to do that for you. It was tough for me to do but worth it.
Without it I couldn’t separate work from home.
Although not an alcoholic it was a dependency of sorts. I had to change for my health. It wasn’t easy. Now dinner is the separator.
I’d say youve become dependent on the whiskey for psychological reasons to separate work from home. Find something else to do that for you. It was tough for me to do but worth it.
Personally, and this is just me, I doubt I’d be too concerned about 5 or 6 units a day. The 14 units thing was plucked from the air, and is just there to scare people off it. It’s clearly not one of your five a day, but the way some people/articles go on, you would think having a beer or two a night was going to result in imminent or immediate death.
Best advice I heard was having a few dry days a week. I’ve been doing that myself and I feel better for it certainly. Maybe give that a try OP?
Each to their own, but it does seem like its impossible to discuss alcohol consumption sensibly these days with all the clean living puritans about who will try and tell you you’re an alcoholic for drinking a glass of wine a night.
Ultimately, if it relaxes you, makes you feel happy and doesn’t generally affect your health negatively, then it might be better for you than being stressed and wound up all the time, and you sound like you otherwise live a pretty balanced lifestyle to me.
Best advice I heard was having a few dry days a week. I’ve been doing that myself and I feel better for it certainly. Maybe give that a try OP?
Each to their own, but it does seem like its impossible to discuss alcohol consumption sensibly these days with all the clean living puritans about who will try and tell you you’re an alcoholic for drinking a glass of wine a night.
Ultimately, if it relaxes you, makes you feel happy and doesn’t generally affect your health negatively, then it might be better for you than being stressed and wound up all the time, and you sound like you otherwise live a pretty balanced lifestyle to me.
Isn’t the danger that you get liver scarring - at that point those parts of the liver cannot regenerate so the rest has to work much harder and is more susceptible to scarring and when it gets too much the big C word comes along - if there is no transplant option you are a dead man walking
37yo and the big c fk that’s so hard to take. Hope you’ve a route to recovery
37yo and the big c f
k that’s so hard to take. Hope you’ve a route to recovery No one knows what level is safe or not individual by individual.
Of course another form of cancer or dementia or xyz could take you out.
My view always is enjoy life we don’t live long and sometimes the worst possible outcome happens and what was expected to be a long life is cut devastatingly short. Be sensible don’t do a bottle of scotch a night as that’s clearly way too much.
I often think do I have too much and I think the answer is yes (beer cider don’t really do anything else). However I take breaks usually 5 dry days back to back every week but then when drinking it’s likely to be 5-12 pints twice a week. I try to cut down - I’m hoping to just be 1 drinking day on a normal week and in so doing I think I could hold it to 5-7pints which should put me into the “safe” zone
Of course another form of cancer or dementia or xyz could take you out.
My view always is enjoy life we don’t live long and sometimes the worst possible outcome happens and what was expected to be a long life is cut devastatingly short. Be sensible don’t do a bottle of scotch a night as that’s clearly way too much.
I often think do I have too much and I think the answer is yes (beer cider don’t really do anything else). However I take breaks usually 5 dry days back to back every week but then when drinking it’s likely to be 5-12 pints twice a week. I try to cut down - I’m hoping to just be 1 drinking day on a normal week and in so doing I think I could hold it to 5-7pints which should put me into the “safe” zone
Roberts13 said:
For various reasons (but nothing unsurprising for a middle class, family & career driven bloke) I have got into the habit of having a large scotch most evenings - 100-150ml with ice when I walk in through the door - drinking it over the course of an hour or so.
It doesn't give me a hangover, or get me 'drunk' but it does just soften my mood as I get back from work and get into family mode.
I don't hide it, I can afford it, and general just really enjoy it. I am otherwise fit, healthy, active (in the sense that I do my 12,000 steps a day) and am only slightly 'over wight' . I eat healthy, monitor my weight and otherwise have no other 'vices' in life - Smoking, fast food, over indulge with anything else etc etc. I drink a lot of water throughout the day, with a few coffees in there.
Realistically, I am not going to stop any time soon, nor do I really want to. I wouldn't class myself as addicted to it, eg; if I have a reason to not drink I won't - mediciation, driving in the evening, house to myself and I can relax in other ways, have eaten a large early dinner etc etc etc.
However, I am drinking twice that of the government's recommendations. Yes it is not ideal, but it is my treat to myself. Everyone knows smoking kills, being fat kills, recreational drugs kill etc etc - but society keeps on ticking.
What sort of risk is this?
What could I do to lessen any health impacts it has on me (other then reduce/stop it...)?
Should I be actively concerned/worried about long term risks?
Welcome your thoughts! Thank you
Sounds like you are stressed out. Give up the booze and coffee for 6 weeks and get some regular exercise during that time. You will feel a different person and might not ever go back to the crutch of the bottle, on a daily basis at least.It doesn't give me a hangover, or get me 'drunk' but it does just soften my mood as I get back from work and get into family mode.
I don't hide it, I can afford it, and general just really enjoy it. I am otherwise fit, healthy, active (in the sense that I do my 12,000 steps a day) and am only slightly 'over wight' . I eat healthy, monitor my weight and otherwise have no other 'vices' in life - Smoking, fast food, over indulge with anything else etc etc. I drink a lot of water throughout the day, with a few coffees in there.
Realistically, I am not going to stop any time soon, nor do I really want to. I wouldn't class myself as addicted to it, eg; if I have a reason to not drink I won't - mediciation, driving in the evening, house to myself and I can relax in other ways, have eaten a large early dinner etc etc etc.
However, I am drinking twice that of the government's recommendations. Yes it is not ideal, but it is my treat to myself. Everyone knows smoking kills, being fat kills, recreational drugs kill etc etc - but society keeps on ticking.
What sort of risk is this?
What could I do to lessen any health impacts it has on me (other then reduce/stop it...)?
Should I be actively concerned/worried about long term risks?
Welcome your thoughts! Thank you
Edited by Roberts13 on Wednesday 16th January 08:57
I think there is a line to be trod with booze, the guideline limits are very low, so low that most people say "fk it" and crack on regardless, maybe they set them so low as they know, whatever it is, people will double it anyway ?
Too much booze is horrible and then you get told you have to stop or die.
I know loads of people who have caned it for years, not alcoholics but people who drink most days, some quite large volumes and they manage fine, I know people who never touch any that have terrible health issues, its just one part of the picture.
I am doing dry January, I think its a good check to see if any dependence has crept in, to be honest its been a breeze so far, not tempted as not all that bothered and also the wife would make a big deal about what a weak willed sack of st I am 
I had medical checks at 45 for a problem with my stomach/gall bladder following a holiday to Mexico that seemed to be the root of it, my liver was scanned and judged to be spot on, I was expecting a bit of a lecture but the consultant said that whatever I am doing must be ok and to carry on in that vein, so years of going out and getting mullered, fair bit of binging at home seems to have had no ill effects.
It does seem key to give your liver a rest, it regenerates/repairs itself so it needs time to do that, never been one for drinking night after night, it gets boring, it isnt special, its just a habit then.
My main issues with booze are it annoys my wife and can cause agro if I drink too much, the calories it brings in itself and what you end up eating and then feeling crap the following day.
I would say to the OP, you will most likely be fine but I would have the odd night off or just have smaller measure, I too pour myself measure like that but not very often.
Alcohol is brilliant, but it needs huge respect and a bit of will power.
k it" and crack on regardless, maybe they set them so low as they know, whatever it is, people will double it anyway ?Too much booze is horrible and then you get told you have to stop or die.
I know loads of people who have caned it for years, not alcoholics but people who drink most days, some quite large volumes and they manage fine, I know people who never touch any that have terrible health issues, its just one part of the picture.
I am doing dry January, I think its a good check to see if any dependence has crept in, to be honest its been a breeze so far, not tempted as not all that bothered and also the wife would make a big deal about what a weak willed sack of s
t I am I had medical checks at 45 for a problem with my stomach/gall bladder following a holiday to Mexico that seemed to be the root of it, my liver was scanned and judged to be spot on, I was expecting a bit of a lecture but the consultant said that whatever I am doing must be ok and to carry on in that vein, so years of going out and getting mullered, fair bit of binging at home seems to have had no ill effects.
It does seem key to give your liver a rest, it regenerates/repairs itself so it needs time to do that, never been one for drinking night after night, it gets boring, it isnt special, its just a habit then.
My main issues with booze are it annoys my wife and can cause agro if I drink too much, the calories it brings in itself and what you end up eating and then feeling crap the following day.
I would say to the OP, you will most likely be fine but I would have the odd night off or just have smaller measure, I too pour myself measure like that but not very often.
Alcohol is brilliant, but it needs huge respect and a bit of will power.
Badda said:
Trophy Husband said:
Guidelines are bks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us.
I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
Giving individual examples and trying to extrapolate the results across the entire population is idiotic. ks to scare. My mother, now 76 has drunk half a bottle of scotch a day, starting at 1700hrs until bed at 2200hrs for 25 years. She is in rude health. But then she's up and at it, busy, walking, meeting friends, singing in a choir. But then she eats well, proper wholesome food, swims every other day in the sea whatever the weather. 14 units is lowest common denominator cr4p aimed at the poor who have generally garbage lifestyles. Fear not the rest of us. I have a pal who is a GP, he thinks it is nonsense also but has to pump it out to his patients whilst drinking a bottle of fine red every evening. He too is as fit as a butcher's dog. Go figure. Enjoy. You're body is good at telling you "No". Trust that first.
My mother has consumed 10-14 units per day, that's per day! 70-98 units per week for years and years. I'm assuming that her liver consists of the same biology as all others? And yet here she is. If the guidance is 'true' then she should not be here should she?
Trophy Husband said:
Why so? If alcohol over 14 units per week is bad for you then it is bad for me, my mother, brother, father, Fanny's aunt, everybody. We know for instance that if you put your hand in the fire it will be burned. If I do it so will mine etc. etc. That is a binary. All will get burned.
My mother has consumed 10-14 units per day, that's per day! 70-98 units per week for years and years. I'm assuming that her liver consists of the same biology as all others? And yet here she is. If the guidance is 'true' then she should not be here should she?
Are you being deliberately obtuse?My mother has consumed 10-14 units per day, that's per day! 70-98 units per week for years and years. I'm assuming that her liver consists of the same biology as all others? And yet here she is. If the guidance is 'true' then she should not be here should she?
It's obvious that people's bodies are not the same and so it is not binary.
If you had a 75% chance of liver disease with drinking 100 units a week and a 25% chance of liver disease being tee total, then some in the former camp will not develop liver disease and some in the latter camp will. That's not evidence that alcohol isn't harmful.
Your mother is fortunate and/or hardier than average.
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