How much do you drink, honestly?
Discussion
Inspired by the life expectancy thread, I have just been reviewing what I actually drink, already being aware that I probably drink too much.
Had a crappy couple of years and being honest my intake has upped in that time.
My parents also like a drink so living back with them the past year we have fallen into a regular routine of a couple of drinks every night.
I also seem to have surrounded myself with friends who like a drink and my present and past partners also... yes you get the idea. Not talking about people who go out and get steaming, but enjoy a regular drink.
On the flip side though I'm active, run a lot, and rarely actually get drunk.
My drinking is social, of an evening or a weekend afternoon and is very rarely alone.
I'm talking a couple of G&T's (large) before dinner and a large glass of white with dinner most evenings. Except Wednesday when I go out with a social running club and have probably 3-4 pints of beer.
Weekends, I'll drink a little more, usually out for dinner or drinks, or more often both.
Just totted up my intake in terms of units though and it's fairly shocked me.
65-70!
Over to you...
Had a crappy couple of years and being honest my intake has upped in that time.
My parents also like a drink so living back with them the past year we have fallen into a regular routine of a couple of drinks every night.
I also seem to have surrounded myself with friends who like a drink and my present and past partners also... yes you get the idea. Not talking about people who go out and get steaming, but enjoy a regular drink.
On the flip side though I'm active, run a lot, and rarely actually get drunk.
My drinking is social, of an evening or a weekend afternoon and is very rarely alone.
I'm talking a couple of G&T's (large) before dinner and a large glass of white with dinner most evenings. Except Wednesday when I go out with a social running club and have probably 3-4 pints of beer.
Weekends, I'll drink a little more, usually out for dinner or drinks, or more often both.
Just totted up my intake in terms of units though and it's fairly shocked me.
65-70!
Over to you...
Interesting how this thread has gone.
I don't think I quite expected my own drinking patterns to be relatively normalised within this forum.
Also, I'm noting that it seems most either opt to abstain completely or drink way in excess of current government guidelines. And I think it make me realise that the guide is simply a neither here nor there amount - you either aren't bothered for a drink at all, or you are in which case the guideline amount comes and goes very easily.
Personally, although I pay lip service to reducing my intake, in reality I am unlikely to anytime soon.
I would acknowledge though that while I have a relatively fortunate and good life I am not particularly in a happy place. I suspect the drinking is somewhat of a crutch to this.
I don't think I quite expected my own drinking patterns to be relatively normalised within this forum.
Also, I'm noting that it seems most either opt to abstain completely or drink way in excess of current government guidelines. And I think it make me realise that the guide is simply a neither here nor there amount - you either aren't bothered for a drink at all, or you are in which case the guideline amount comes and goes very easily.
Personally, although I pay lip service to reducing my intake, in reality I am unlikely to anytime soon.
I would acknowledge though that while I have a relatively fortunate and good life I am not particularly in a happy place. I suspect the drinking is somewhat of a crutch to this.
Still finding the responses to this thread interesting.
And reflecting on how it might affect my drinking in the future.
I was away with a 'social' running group over the weekend... not completely sure how much I drank but I'd hazard a fairly accurate estimate as;
Friday - 3x 330ml cans of Punk IPA (6 units), 3 Pints of real ale (6 units), 4 G&T's (4 units), 50ml shot of snapps (1 unit), one vodka (1 unit) - 18 units
Saturday got up and ran 11 miles somehow, then took it 'easier' - 1x 330ml Punk IPA mid run (2 units), 2 pints of real ale with lunch (4 units), large glass of white (3 units), downed a pint of lager as a party trick (2units), small glass of port (2 units), 2 pints of real ale with dinner (4 units), 3 G&T's (3 units), another 1x330ml can (2 units)... 22 units - not so 'easy' then!!!
Sunday, Monday and last night have all followed my usual 2x large G&T and 1 or 2 large glasses of wine format - so that's 7-10 units a night.
New Year.... I am going to review this. Get myself into a better place where I don't feel I 'need' my evening drink everyday.
And reflecting on how it might affect my drinking in the future.
I was away with a 'social' running group over the weekend... not completely sure how much I drank but I'd hazard a fairly accurate estimate as;
Friday - 3x 330ml cans of Punk IPA (6 units), 3 Pints of real ale (6 units), 4 G&T's (4 units), 50ml shot of snapps (1 unit), one vodka (1 unit) - 18 units
Saturday got up and ran 11 miles somehow, then took it 'easier' - 1x 330ml Punk IPA mid run (2 units), 2 pints of real ale with lunch (4 units), large glass of white (3 units), downed a pint of lager as a party trick (2units), small glass of port (2 units), 2 pints of real ale with dinner (4 units), 3 G&T's (3 units), another 1x330ml can (2 units)... 22 units - not so 'easy' then!!!
Sunday, Monday and last night have all followed my usual 2x large G&T and 1 or 2 large glasses of wine format - so that's 7-10 units a night.
New Year.... I am going to review this. Get myself into a better place where I don't feel I 'need' my evening drink everyday.
Bullett said:
D1bram said:
Sunday, Monday and last night have all followed my usual 2x large G&T and 1 or 2 large glasses of wine format - so that's 7-10 units a night.
I think you are under estimating your units, especially if those gins are 'home' measures. Sinbaddio.... so sorry to read that!!!
Another 11 unit night last night... 3 x Gins and a large glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
Made a decision though... no change this year, but come the new year it's going to change.
I need to be realistic; for example Wednesdays I go out with my local Hash House Harriers - I'm going to have a drink, no point in pretending otherwise.
I spend Monday and Thursday evenings with my girlfriend, we enjoy a gin so one night we'll limit rather than stop it. Might swap Mondays and Thursday or maybe 1 drink on each depending on what is going on.
So anyway, the plan is...
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - 3 pints max (6 units)
Thursday - 2 large gin max (4 units)
Friday - nothing!!! (I like to do parkrun, though instead of rocking up and doing a mediocre hangover run, I'd like to get back to some kind of form)
Saturday - Drink as I feel, but try and keep a lid on it unless there's a special occasion. (realistically lets say 14 units)
Sunday - Wine/Gin/Beer - (max 6 units)
So that's 30 units. Unless there's some one off event etc (being realistic).. I will try not to see my limits as targets either. I think it's fairly balanced, whilst accepting that I enjoy a drink and have no real intention of hitting the government guidelines.
I think booze free Mondays will be the toughest challenge.
Made a decision though... no change this year, but come the new year it's going to change.
I need to be realistic; for example Wednesdays I go out with my local Hash House Harriers - I'm going to have a drink, no point in pretending otherwise.
I spend Monday and Thursday evenings with my girlfriend, we enjoy a gin so one night we'll limit rather than stop it. Might swap Mondays and Thursday or maybe 1 drink on each depending on what is going on.
So anyway, the plan is...
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - 3 pints max (6 units)
Thursday - 2 large gin max (4 units)
Friday - nothing!!! (I like to do parkrun, though instead of rocking up and doing a mediocre hangover run, I'd like to get back to some kind of form)
Saturday - Drink as I feel, but try and keep a lid on it unless there's a special occasion. (realistically lets say 14 units)
Sunday - Wine/Gin/Beer - (max 6 units)
So that's 30 units. Unless there's some one off event etc (being realistic).. I will try not to see my limits as targets either. I think it's fairly balanced, whilst accepting that I enjoy a drink and have no real intention of hitting the government guidelines.
I think booze free Mondays will be the toughest challenge.
Matt_N said:
the festive season is difficult, but why wait?
Honestly.. because I have so much planned the next couple of weeks it's just not realistic.I also have almost 7 litres of unopened Craft Gins which I have been amassing over the past couple of months...
Aside from that, I think having a line in the sand as such helps.
TooMany2cvs said:
D1bram said:
I also have almost 7 litres of unopened Craft Gins which I have been amassing over the past couple of months...
I'm sure I won't be alone in selflessly offering to help you out...I live at; 10 No Chance
Nevertelling
Itsallmine-upon-alime
Robertj21a said:
It's gone strangely quiet on here - did everyone get utterly blotto at Xmas parties over the weekend ?
Big weekend in Leeds for me; arrived Friday midday, mate who I was staying with was at work until 3pm so I went straight to town for a lunch pint in a decent pub where I could sit and read, take the world in and relax a bit. In the end I had 3 pints of stout/porter type ales (5-6%) and a bag of crisps.. Then back to my mates, quick beer while we changed then the pub for a bit of dinner and another 3 or 4 pints of standard strength lager (4%). It's when we moved on to the party (at a social club) where it all gets a bit vague.. I'd estimate a further 8 or so given spends.
Saturday, I was hanging.... but had arranged to go on a bit of a pub crawl with another couple of mates. Started slightly later than planned around 5 and between then and 11.30 tucked away 10 pints (mixed bag of strengths, average 2.5 units?). Which sounds a lot, but it was all at a very steady pace so we all (felt) relatively sober.
Sunday... train home, met the girlfriend for a sandwich and a pint, then went back to my parents for dinner... a gin and two glasses of wine. Oh and a double measure of some moonshine stuff one of said Leeds mates gave me....
So a staggering 75 unit weekend for me!!!
The point I guess is.... while I'll always do this kind of weekend once in a while, I've never before stopped to take stock.
I know I said I start January... but this weekend I have my works do and another party Saturday night. Perhaps I should be taking the next three nights off to give myself a chance to recover.
The jiffle king said:
Years ago I used to work out the cost of my friends being smokers and at that time about £5 a pack a and a pack a day, so about £1800 a year. At the same time I worked out how much I was spending on booze which was not a lot, but typically £50-60 a week for a couple of nights out.
Just reading through the amount that people are consuming, a dry January for some could mean £500+ for a month in the pocket which would be significant for most people. Even at 50p per unit, £250 would not be hard to do
This is a great point... Just done some quick sums and I'm definitely spending minimum £500ish per month on booze! Staggering.... Just reading through the amount that people are consuming, a dry January for some could mean £500+ for a month in the pocket which would be significant for most people. Even at 50p per unit, £250 would not be hard to do
Granfondo said:
Do any of the power drinkers on here drive in the morning?
I try to leave a clear hour from when I've stopped drinking to driving for every unit I have drank. When doing a trackside safety course a few years back I was told this is a very safe rule... so sometimes I push it a touch... by maybe a couple of units/hours.
But last weekend for example, I knew I'd be way over the limit to drive home most of Sunday so got the train to Leeds instead.
Itsallicanafford said:
Driver101 said:
Itsallicanafford said:
I’m not a big drinker to be honest, Maybe a pint at the weekend which I really enjoy.
Has anybody tried seedlip non- alcoholic spirt? With a decent tonic water, it’s very good...
Considering the percentage alcohol duty makes up of the price of a spirit paying £30 for a bottle of alcohol free spirit is expensive. Has anybody tried seedlip non- alcoholic spirt? With a decent tonic water, it’s very good...
I started this thread some time ago now, partly as a reality check to myself and I need to admit little has changed.
If anything, I am drinking more. I recognise that often a drink is the thing which I look forward to most, my life seems to revolve around planning afternoons and nights out.
It's all a bit of a mask for some serious disappointment in myself and where my current life is. I do think it's time for a change, but I have no intention of giving up alcohol altogether.
Not sure where to start, maybe restricting my drinking days - Wednesdays I attend a social event where drinking, while not mandatory, is a big part of it. Then weekends there's an obvious draw.
Maybe alcohol free Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Tuesday is generally my 'low' day though for several reasons.
Timmy45 said:
I would suggest reading up on Selencro and Naltrexone. Both work. Although Selencro has much stronger side effects ( nausea/headache) but doesn't require a prescription, Naltrexone has much less/no side effects but required a Drs prescription and liver function test.
Oh god I don't think I need anything like that! It's definitely more of a psychological dependency than a physiological one.I mean it's more a case of life is a bit crap, so having a drink gives me that something to do etc..
I've just been for lunch with my girlfriend and we discussed this, she actually feels that I need something else to focus on, particularly on a Tuesday.
I like to run, but I have of late let this slip. Tuesday used to be a running night, but I have let my association with the club go because of a difficult relationship with an ex, I now run (a very social run!) on a Wednesday. Tuesday also marks my first night home alone after my girlfriend has spend the proceeding three nights at my place... it's just generally a duff day for me.
Perhaps I need to find something new? But it does seem like the time between getting in from work and bed is often all too conveniently filled with cooking dinner and sinking a couple of drinks.
I like to run, but I have of late let this slip. Tuesday used to be a running night, but I have let my association with the club go because of a difficult relationship with an ex, I now run (a very social run!) on a Wednesday. Tuesday also marks my first night home alone after my girlfriend has spend the proceeding three nights at my place... it's just generally a duff day for me.
Perhaps I need to find something new? But it does seem like the time between getting in from work and bed is often all too conveniently filled with cooking dinner and sinking a couple of drinks.
gregs656 said:
Thought about the gym? Could schedule it into the days your GF is away.
Lots of benefits. All sorts of programs out there for various goals.
I’ve recently added swimming into my routine. Find it really clears the mind in a way running never has done for me (but does for lots of people).
Believe it or not... in my younger days (talking 15/16 years ago now) all I did was go to the gym! I looked awesome but then I was young, didn't drink and trained consistently.Lots of benefits. All sorts of programs out there for various goals.
I’ve recently added swimming into my routine. Find it really clears the mind in a way running never has done for me (but does for lots of people).
I have a gym membership but;
1) It's always packed with extras from Geordie shore who just want to make me drown myself in the pool
2) Despite my previous gym experience I really struggle with what to do... I just seem to have aches and pains everywhere these days, am injury prone and get despondent over how weak and unfit I truly am.
I could do with finding a better gym/programme but despite my local area being ace for pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops... it is seriously lacking in gyms.
Itsallicanafford said:
D1bram said:
gregs656 said:
Thought about the gym? Could schedule it into the days your GF is away.
Lots of benefits. All sorts of programs out there for various goals.
I’ve recently added swimming into my routine. Find it really clears the mind in a way running never has done for me (but does for lots of people).
Believe it or not... in my younger days (talking 15/16 years ago now) all I did was go to the gym! I looked awesome but then I was young, didn't drink and trained consistently.Lots of benefits. All sorts of programs out there for various goals.
I’ve recently added swimming into my routine. Find it really clears the mind in a way running never has done for me (but does for lots of people).
I have a gym membership but;
1) It's always packed with extras from Geordie shore who just want to make me drown myself in the pool
2) Despite my previous gym experience I really struggle with what to do... I just seem to have aches and pains everywhere these days, am injury prone and get despondent over how weak and unfit I truly am.
I could do with finding a better gym/programme but despite my local area being ace for pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops... it is seriously lacking in gyms.
Maybe time to give the bike an overhaul and get back out.
Quick update from me.
Since posting last I've made a really determined effort to cut down, particularly when I'm on my own and have no social need to drink.
The past couple of Fridays, Sundays and Mondays have been dry. Last Tuesday I had one half with my Dad, then drank Wednesday on my social run night (4-5 pints) and Thursday I shared a bottle of wine with my girlfriend.
Saturday - was a big day out in Edinburgh, 12 pints, and a several gin and tonics over the whole day.
This week, I think I will be dry until I join my girlfriend on holiday Thursday.
A few observations; my demons are still with me, but without anything to drink I feel able better to keep them under control.
Saturday was a great day out, but I managed to end the evening feeling very low and maudlin about the areas in my life I am not happy with.
Brewdog Nanny State is really nice, ok, it's not truly alcohol free at 0.5%. But a can or two of that means I can have something I enjoy drinking without the negative effects.
Since posting last I've made a really determined effort to cut down, particularly when I'm on my own and have no social need to drink.
The past couple of Fridays, Sundays and Mondays have been dry. Last Tuesday I had one half with my Dad, then drank Wednesday on my social run night (4-5 pints) and Thursday I shared a bottle of wine with my girlfriend.
Saturday - was a big day out in Edinburgh, 12 pints, and a several gin and tonics over the whole day.
This week, I think I will be dry until I join my girlfriend on holiday Thursday.
A few observations; my demons are still with me, but without anything to drink I feel able better to keep them under control.
Saturday was a great day out, but I managed to end the evening feeling very low and maudlin about the areas in my life I am not happy with.
Brewdog Nanny State is really nice, ok, it's not truly alcohol free at 0.5%. But a can or two of that means I can have something I enjoy drinking without the negative effects.
TameRacingDriver said:
Well done for cutting down.
I'm now 3 weeks without any red wine. Best thing I ever did. Yes I'm still drinking beer but its a lot harder to get drunk with it, and as a result I haven't had a hangover of any note for the full 3 weeks.
Still need to incorporate a few dry days into a week, but if I can do that, and stick to the beer rather than go on anything harder, then I will be more than happy with that.
Thanks, and you're right, beer is much better than wine. I have an awful tendency if drinking alone to sink the full bottle, midweek, it's not great is it?I'm now 3 weeks without any red wine. Best thing I ever did. Yes I'm still drinking beer but its a lot harder to get drunk with it, and as a result I haven't had a hangover of any note for the full 3 weeks.
Still need to incorporate a few dry days into a week, but if I can do that, and stick to the beer rather than go on anything harder, then I will be more than happy with that.
I hope that it's a positive move to set me up better to deal with the real issues in my life.
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