Food & Dining How much do you drink?

I'm proud to say that my level of drinking is much lower than the Mt Druitt average.

 

On average it would have to be zero yet I do drink alcohol occasionally.

Wasn't the case in the past where a bottle of wine over dinner was the norm or imbibing when at functions such as BBQ's. It was highly probable I was over the legal limit driving home but, fortunately or unfortunately depending on your viewpoint, I was never pinged by an RBT.

It was rare if I went to a club or hotel with others and sat down to chat, play pool, whatever and drank. Didn't socialise in that way.

Now it is spasmodic and the intake is limited. As an example, nothing since the previous Saturday but last night a glass of wine before we went out to dinner, water only with dinner, a liqueur muscat after we arrived back while listening to music and chatting before bed.

While it may seem an odd thing to say, I actually do enjoy it more so than previously.

 

I gave have up drink. Never really drank a lot, but it was a bit of a personal challenge thing for me. Developed all these techniques for managing the social side of things. Found saying ‘sorry I don’t drink’ was a real negative, so developed alternative lines which worked wonders:

‘I need to drive home so won’t have any more’
‘Getting over a cold and on medication, so I better not have any more’

Sometimes I would have a water on ice with lemon slice and people would just think I was having a G&T. Provided you get your drink at the bar yourself, no one is the wiser.

You shouldn’t need to do this, but found it worked for me, and avoided the whole ‘oh, you don’t drink’ 3rd degree which I found tiresome after a while, particularly when you are in a room full of drunk people.

 

I am a social drinker. Don’t really get drunk, I tried but for some reason my system keeps going even if I have 20-30 drinks and then just switches off (sleep).

Some weeks I don’t drink at all. Other weeks I would have 30 drinks in one night with friends when we are out. Never had an alcoholic “blackout” luckily.

I tend not to drink on weeknights. Very rarely would have 1-2 if meeting a friend I didn’t see for a while. Usually Friday or Saturday are the nights.

 

Have cut completely back from when I posted this... last drink was a glass of wine at xmas. I and my wallet and my liver feel much better

 

As others have touched upon, the hardest part of no longer drinking is dealing with the drinking expectations of others in social settings. When I first stopped, I used to tell white lies as to why I wasn't drinking but now I just flat out say I don't drink. Most people get over it very quickly and for those who don't, well that's their problem.

 

I know a few people that tell me they drink too much to be a Alcoholic..

 

I vary from an average of zero drinks per month and 2 standard drinks per month.

I choose to spend my money on other things.

 

yeah australian society heavily encourages drinking,

I dont think we are the biggest drinkers in the world but id guess we are in the top half,

I am lucky that I drink maybe once a weeek or fortnight I dont drink at home,

I will binge drink and have a big night with friends and drink too much, every now and again,

however I dont sleep well with alcohol, even one, and being tipsy at home I dont enjoy,
being tipsy around friends and out I enjoy....