A bottle of wine, alcoholic?
Basically, over the last 6 months or so, i've became a little concerned with the level of drinking i'm doing.
I'm a student, 2nd year, and other than projects at University, I would say I'm naturally quite introverted, and spend most of my time alone. (Although i'd like to do more socialising, I am quite comfortable with this as I have a few close friends and have always been okay in my own company).
During summer, I had a few drinks a week, usually red wine or gin, in the company of friends, or at home with family (my dad drinks with his evening meal). It was no big deal, as it was a one off.
Recently however, I've almost got a taste for alcohol and sometimes I have a few drinks if I've had a stressful day or week. It's just concerning me a little since I know I've increased my drinking, and on the odd occasion I've even had a whole bottle of wine to myself which is unusual. I'm a little worried it's becoming a habit, and my Grandad died due to alcohol abuse, so i'd imagine addictions runs in the family.
I don't deal with stress very well, and have a tendency to either restrict my eating, or over indulge, so I believe i'm doing a similar tactic with alcohol.
I'm just looking for some guidance as to wether you think it might be an issue? and what to do?
Thanks
I'm a student, 2nd year, and other than projects at University, I would say I'm naturally quite introverted, and spend most of my time alone. (Although i'd like to do more socialising, I am quite comfortable with this as I have a few close friends and have always been okay in my own company).
During summer, I had a few drinks a week, usually red wine or gin, in the company of friends, or at home with family (my dad drinks with his evening meal). It was no big deal, as it was a one off.
Recently however, I've almost got a taste for alcohol and sometimes I have a few drinks if I've had a stressful day or week. It's just concerning me a little since I know I've increased my drinking, and on the odd occasion I've even had a whole bottle of wine to myself which is unusual. I'm a little worried it's becoming a habit, and my Grandad died due to alcohol abuse, so i'd imagine addictions runs in the family.
I don't deal with stress very well, and have a tendency to either restrict my eating, or over indulge, so I believe i'm doing a similar tactic with alcohol.
I'm just looking for some guidance as to wether you think it might be an issue? and what to do?
Thanks
Are you dependent on it? Can you get through a day without a bottle?
well noticing you're drinking too much is a great start 
you really shouldn't be drinking that much and it will have a noticeable effect on your health. Maybe try gradually cutting down ? perhaps start with saying that you'll save drinking for sociable events + one night a week if you're stressed (or more if you're already drinking most days) and eveuntually cut down to just drinking at sociable events? Youre still young but the amounts of alcohol will already be causing your body some harm.
Also, maybe try restricting how much alcohol you buy? If it's not in your flat, you may feel less inclined to walk to the shpss to get some. Or alternatively, put some alcohol money aside for the month and don't let yourself go past the budget. You could also try rewarding yourself on the days you don't drink
you really shouldn't be drinking that much and it will have a noticeable effect on your health. Maybe try gradually cutting down ? perhaps start with saying that you'll save drinking for sociable events + one night a week if you're stressed (or more if you're already drinking most days) and eveuntually cut down to just drinking at sociable events? Youre still young but the amounts of alcohol will already be causing your body some harm. Also, maybe try restricting how much alcohol you buy? If it's not in your flat, you may feel less inclined to walk to the shpss to get some. Or alternatively, put some alcohol money aside for the month and don't let yourself go past the budget. You could also try rewarding yourself on the days you don't drink
Original post by nicatre
It's only a problem if you grow dependent on it.
Alcohol is fine in reasonable amounts but if you find you can't function properly without it then you may have a problem.
Alcohol is fine in reasonable amounts but if you find you can't function properly without it then you may have a problem.
Original post by Pseudocode
Are you dependent on it? Can you get through a day without a bottle?
I can get through a day without it, but some days I feel that, 'niggle' where it's like 'oh I could go a drink'.
I'm not drinking a bottle a day, my university work takes priority still, but I guess, because i'm now drinking more often, it's a little scary. Sometimes I do feel like i'm a little out of control, but it might be due to the stress I'm under at the moment.
Original post by Anonymous
I can get through a day without it, but some days I feel that, 'niggle' where it's like 'oh I could go a drink'.
I'm not drinking a bottle a day, my university work takes priority still, but I guess, because i'm now drinking more often, it's a little scary. Sometimes I do feel like i'm a little out of control, but it might be due to the stress I'm under at the moment.
I'm not drinking a bottle a day, my university work takes priority still, but I guess, because i'm now drinking more often, it's a little scary. Sometimes I do feel like i'm a little out of control, but it might be due to the stress I'm under at the moment.
Its early on and you've noticed this which is a good thing. Most people go on to become addicted and then do not realise that they've found themselves in a hole they need to dig themselves out of. My advice to you would be to find something productive to do whenever you get that niggle. When you get that feeling try doing some weights or getting your fix by going for a run. Drink some water and then wait 5 minutes and see if it goes away. I think the key is replacing the alcohol with someone that is not going to be detrimental to you in the long run. Buy some weights or an activity tracker and make a change. I got in a rut during university during second year, not with alcohol, but with just generally feeling pretty down so I decided to take up football again and just getting out and doing something helped me massively.
Original post by Laura57
well noticing you're drinking too much is a great start you really shouldn't be drinking that much and it will have a noticeable effect on your health. Maybe try gradually cutting down ? perhaps start with saying that you'll save drinking for sociable events + one night a week if you're stressed (or more if you're already drinking most days) and eveuntually cut down to just drinking at sociable events? Youre still young but the amounts of alcohol will already be causing your body some harm.
Also, maybe try restricting how much alcohol you buy? If it's not in your flat, you may feel less inclined to walk to the shpss to get some. Or alternatively, put some alcohol money aside for the month and don't let yourself go past the budget. You could also try rewarding yourself on the days you don't drink
you really shouldn't be drinking that much and it will have a noticeable effect on your health. Maybe try gradually cutting down ? perhaps start with saying that you'll save drinking for sociable events + one night a week if you're stressed (or more if you're already drinking most days) and eveuntually cut down to just drinking at sociable events? Youre still young but the amounts of alcohol will already be causing your body some harm. Also, maybe try restricting how much alcohol you buy? If it's not in your flat, you may feel less inclined to walk to the shpss to get some. Or alternatively, put some alcohol money aside for the month and don't let yourself go past the budget. You could also try rewarding yourself on the days you don't drink
Thanks! The ideas you've raised are really helpful. I'll definitely give them a shot.
What's ironic is, I'm really healthy too, I don't eat junk food and cook all my meals from scratch daily. So drinking excessively makes me feel even more guilty, like my healthy eating efforts are going to waste.
All the more reason to cut back I guess…
Original post by Pseudocode
Its early on and you've noticed this which is a good thing. Most people go on to become addicted and then do not realise that they've found themselves in a hole they need to dig themselves out of. My advice to you would be to find something productive to do whenever you get that niggle. When you get that feeling try doing some weights or getting your fix by going for a run. Drink some water and then wait 5 minutes and see if it goes away. I think the key is replacing the alcohol with someone that is not going to be detrimental to you in the long run. Buy some weights or an activity tracker and make a change. I got in a rut during university during second year, not with alcohol, but with just generally feeling pretty down so I decided to take up football again and just getting out and doing something helped me massively.
Yeah, you've made a really good point.
Last year I did weights, and was really into my health and fitness, for some reason i'm not as motivated this year. I think getting back into it would help substantially.
Thanks for replying, means a lot!
Here's a good way of testing if you're at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol: don't drink alcohol for an entire week. If you notice that you feel very stressed and need to drink alcohol in order to feel normal (not just the standard relaxed/inebriated), then that is a sign that you are at risk of developing an alcohol dependency. On the other hand, if you feel totally normal and have no compulsion one way or another, then you're fine.
It doesn't sound like you're dependent on it as such, but it is a little concerning that you might be using it as a bit of a crutch to deal with stress a little too often. Its better to learn to deal with it without using substances.
I drink because I like the taste (I sound so sophisticated and grown up - 16 year old me would never have said that!!) and getting tipsy and even drunk if a nice side effect of that.
They say alcoholics are the last to admit it to themselves and this, in my experience, with an aunt was true. She stupidly died young because of it.
The problem is when you get dependent on it and need it, for example at certain times or in certain situations etc. Yes it mellows me out after a busy week or I congratulate myself with a tipple but I do not do this, last drink was 2 glasses of red last Sunday lunch haven't needed or wanted since (and it is Friday night - 16 year old me would not be proud!!)
Some people say drinking alone is a no-no. I don't think that is the case unless it is a compulsion or is something you hide or it is effecting your social life and relationships otherwise.
I love wine and do not understand how people automatically say "eurgh, I hate wine" - like really? There are so many, try them and there will be at least one you like! It is about finding what you like and there is no need to be apologetic about that. I've only recently got into gin and tonic since the Summer as thought it was way too flowery before.
Enjoy
They say alcoholics are the last to admit it to themselves and this, in my experience, with an aunt was true. She stupidly died young because of it.
The problem is when you get dependent on it and need it, for example at certain times or in certain situations etc. Yes it mellows me out after a busy week or I congratulate myself with a tipple but I do not do this, last drink was 2 glasses of red last Sunday lunch haven't needed or wanted since (and it is Friday night - 16 year old me would not be proud!!)
Some people say drinking alone is a no-no. I don't think that is the case unless it is a compulsion or is something you hide or it is effecting your social life and relationships otherwise.
I love wine and do not understand how people automatically say "eurgh, I hate wine" - like really? There are so many, try them and there will be at least one you like! It is about finding what you like and there is no need to be apologetic about that. I've only recently got into gin and tonic since the Summer as thought it was way too flowery before.
Enjoy
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