71–80 of 139 posts
I drank for years and years thinking I was "high functioning". I quit drinking using Naltrexone, following the "Sinclair Method". In my opinion it's a far more rational and reasonable treatment program as compared to AA's 12 step (which never worked for me).
Earlier quoted context omitted.
OP was able to run an experiment, running when drinking or not drinking for a period. Half to a full bottle isn't even excessive quantity, it's more the frequency that makes it 'a lot'. OP sounds in perfect control to me. Perhaps use the running as motivation to cut back a bit - aim for doing a particular race that's a bit of a stretch.
Depends how you define excessive. For example, the current UK recommendation[1] is a maximum of 14 ‘units’ a week. An average bottle of wine is something like 9 units depending on ABV strength, so 5 evenings a week of 3/4s of a bottle of wine works out at 33.75 units, or 2.4 times the recommended maximum. [1] https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/alcohol/Pages/alcohol-units.aspx
I only mean that if someone said to you 'I had half a bottle of wine or more last night', you'd hardly think Sheesh, this guy's an alcoholic. It's if they followed it up with 'and I have every night since I-can't-remember-when' that you'd think Okay that's a bit much.
half bottle of wine = 2 glasses - this is not alcoholism, just talk to someone from France, this is just for lunch...
1 standard glass is 125 ml at 8% ABV. 2 * 125 = 250 ml, which is 1/3rd of a bottle. Most wine is stronger than 8% ABV, and so the portion size should be smaller. Note that France used to have high rates of alcohol related harm, but have managed to reduce those after a long public health campaign of raising prices and lowering drink drive limits.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
1 standard glass is 125 ml at 8% ABV. 2 * 125 = 250 ml, which is 1/3rd of a bottle. Most wine is stronger than 8% ABV, and so the portion size should be smaller. Note that France used to have high rates of alcohol related harm, but have managed to reduce those after a long public health campaign of raising prices and lowering drink drive limits.
Whatever, one glass of wine in the real world is like 200ml... Anyway, alcoholic is someone dependent on drinking: starts in the morning to get rid of the shakes and drinks during the day... Half a bottle of wine in the evening, few times a week is not alcoholism... don't go and look for a problems where there are none - this will undermine the struggles of the real alcoholics...
OP is clearly drinking at levels that are harmful, even if OP isn't dependent. OP is drinking well over the recommended 14 units per week, and OP thinks it's causing harm.
It is a mistake to think that only dependent drinking is harmful.
Harm is caused even if the person isn't dependent on drinking.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Whatever, one glass of wine in the real world is like 200ml... Anyway, alcoholic is someone dependent on drinking: starts in the morning to get rid of the shakes and drinks during the day... Half a bottle of wine in the evening, few times a week is not alcoholism... don't go and look for a problems where there are none - this will undermine the struggles of the real alcoholics...
I've said, several times in this thread, that there's a difference between dependent drinking and harmful drinking. OP is clearly drinking at levels that are harmful, even if OP isn't dependent. OP is drinking well over the recommended 14 units per week, and OP thinks it's causing harm. It is a mistake to think that only dependent drinking is harmful. Harm is caused even if the person isn't dependent on drinking.
Now, I maintain a meticulous Calca document with every alcoholic drink I consume. Keeps me honest and it’s actually kind of fun.
5 nights a week half a bottle of wine isn't an alcoholic. It's drinking too much. If you're at a bottle of wine s night that's certainly too much. You've got a poor habit that's all. Just put a system in of deferring first drink, going to bed s bit earlier i.e. Before the last drink, and ensure you have a glass of water and a cup of tea between each glass. That'll reduce the amount you drink by s glass or two. You're…
"Just put a system in of deferring first drink, going to bed s bit earlier i.e. Before the last drink, and ensure you have a glass of water and a cup of tea between each glass. That'll reduce the amount you drink by s glass or two."
Have less wine/alcohol easily accessible in the house. Make sure alternatives are readily at hand (e.g., large water glass and jug for refills on your desk). Try to get into the habit of drinking a full glass of water before you next top up your wine glass. Never fill your wine glass beyond a certain point. Maybe try to find half-bottles so it's less likely that you drink more than half a bottle in a night?
I've gone dry for several periods of my life. I've actually spent more time dry. What brings me back around, is increase in migraines. Which usually goes hand in hand with stress levels. At work we have a full stock bar. I was at the point I had to take drinks several times a day, just to keep from exploding. That's where my line of, I'm an alcoholic or very close to that point. I need it too function, and get through the day. But at the same time I can look at my life, and say I only drink heavily during small portions of my life. You have to give yourself small wins on occasion.
I tried stopping this year. But that didn't really work out. Again stress, and disdain for my job and long hours. So I cut back from a bottle every other night. To one a week, to one every other week. To finally, just two singles when I'm out with my friends.
Taking a while to get here. But cutting/reducing. Depends largely on what works for you. Or why you're drinking. The two other times I went dry. I just flushed all liquor down the toilet, and said nope. I can't do that now, and I found beating my self up over relapsing. Led to a further spiral.
So I gave myself a very strict budget for alcohol. I loaded up a visa card, and it was enough for two mid-range bottles. That was the first step. Slowly weening off that dependency. Then like you I enjoy the taste of a nice cocktail. So I switched to teas, and sparkling water at night. There's a lot to be said for a nice mock tail. For the first few weeks, when I went out. I left my debit cards at home. I brought enough cash for two drinks. So at a more difficult time in my life. I need to be more stringent with myself. I know I can't stop right now, despite wanting too. But as noted count the small wins. How you curtail this is dependent on each person.