During ISO I’ve been drinking alcohol more regularly. One to two glasses Friday and Saturday nights and might as well have a glass Sunday night so we don’t waste the bottle, is what I tell myself. I know people who drink more in a sitting and every night - but for me I can’t keep this up. I’ve been drinking since I was a teenager, stopped while pregnant /breast feeding twice but other than that it’s been fairly constant. I’m mid 40’s now and mentally I struggle for days after drinking. I think about drinking wine most days, look forward to treating myself after a long week. But I get short and grumpy with my husband and kids and family all weekend. Has anyone stopped and did you feel better? Did your relationships improve? Was it difficult and does it get easier to go without over time?
6 Replies
I drink 16 to 20 cans of bourbon a week, 2 to 3 times a week . I think you're doing amazingly to be honest.
I rarely drink. I’m anxious and jittery for days afterwards and I’m talking one or two drinks.
My mental health is always better when I drink less or rarely, and that has to have a positive effect on all my relationships.
I think like any vice, giving it up is hard ans makes you crabby and all that, but once its done youre better off.
Good on you for recognising that your alcohol consumption is becoming a problem. There's a common misconception that you only have an alcohol issue if you fit the typical 'falling down drunk alcoholic' sterotype but that's not always the case!
Questions like yours also tend to force people to examine their own drinking habits which can cause people to become unnecessarily defensive on internet forums (I speak from experience), so just as a heads up, don't be surprised if you get some interesting comments...
My advice is don't feel like you have to go it alone. Talk to your GP for some advice and see what support resources they have to offer. I'd also have a real honest look at your mental health, your stress levels and your over all lifestyle to see if there's any other changes you can make to help make this transition easier (all things I found very useful when I was quitting smoking).
Good luck!
I don't drink at all. I never really liked the feeling of it as I was drinking it, or the taste tbh.
The pros - more money in your pocket, less health risks, clearer mind, better wake up the next day etc.
I personally don't think alcohol (or lack there of) has impacted relationships of mine, if anything I'm always the DD haha so everyone can drink and I drive home.
If you're feeling uncomfortable with the amount you're drinking, then maybe it's time to take a break and see how your feeling after.
You might be intolerant to wine, try switching to gin or vodka and soda and see how that is. Game changer for me!