Am I an alcoholic or do I just love to drink?

[Anonymous]

I just stopped drinking cold turkey. Trying to limit it to just the weekends wasn't working for me. Because then I would just binge out on the weekends and end up with a hangover the next day. And having a toddler DS, that's the worst.

And believe me, I thought it would be impossible because I LOVE my rose and bubbly and still do. But it was just out of control. So I gave it up. Now I only drink 1-2x per month and I've lost 10 lbs without dieting at all (I do work out though).

[Anonymous]

OP, I am exactly like you (though sub out the menopause for three young children). I love my evening glass (or 3) of wine on the couch with my husband after the kids go to bed. It's the one time of day when I literally feel no stress. But, like you, I was not sleeping well, and frankly, worried about all the drinking. I did several of the things suggested here - stopped drinking on weekdays, started drinking fancy teas (which you can keep refilling with more hot water). Both of these things really helped. But the most important thing, which may be more difficult for you, was that my husband quit drinking during the week too. Now, to be honest, I haven't noticed any big differences in my sleep or weight, but I feel better mentally knowing that I could give up the alcohol.

[Anonymous]

Same. I like to sip on the couch while watching TV. Think both DH and I need to seriously cut back. Not sure if DH will do it, but I’ve noticed he starts limiting once I do.

What’s your plan of attack, OP? I’m thinking a little cardio on the weekdays some nights. Maybe some errands or books in the evenings on others.

[Anonymous]

I’m enjoying this thread. Another one who drinks way too much wine on the couch. Like others I don’t know that I technically would fit the definition. I exercise every morning, I work, I efficiently raise young kids, etc. But if I’m not comfortable that says something.

[Anonymous]

This was me! I found myself drinking every night on the couch with my hubby simply out of habit. I was never drunk or even buzzed. I have some weight I want to lose so decided to ditch the wine during the week, along with some other things to see if it would help. I switched out the wine for flavored seltzer and only drink a limited amount on Friday and Saturday night now. I have also tried to remove myself from the couch every night which just triggers me to drink wine and eat crap. I try and go out once a week or read instead.

[Anonymous]

Op here. I’ve tried cutting back during the week but it always creeps back into my nightly ritual, particularly when DH and I are home together on the couch. He is not inclined to quit, and because I love wine too, it feels like I’m missing out when I abstain. But I’m concerned about my lack of resolve, especially given my family history, so I ordered This Naked Mind. I feel an epiphany is in order more than AA. I need to find a new nightly ritual for dealing with stress. Maybe a pretty teapot. Anyway, it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was me! I found myself drinking every night on the couch with my hubby simply out of habit. I was never drunk or even buzzed. I have some weight I want to lose so decided to ditch the wine during the week, along with some other things to see if it would help. I switched out the wine for flavored seltzer and only drink a limited amount on Friday and Saturday night now. I have also tried to remove myself from the couch every night which just triggers me to drink wine and eat crap. I try and go out once a week or read instead.

Did you lose the weight?

[Anonymous]

OP, I was right there with you. And my DH still drinks.

I stopped back in September. I was exercising daily but also hydrating DAILY with wine. I would easily put back an entire bottle of moscato every night. On the weekends, a bottle and a half a day. I was sleeping like shit and hungover. And the worst part was that my tolerance was so high that I didn't even get a buzz. I was just drinking because it was my thing to do.

I quit cold turkey when I started keto and intermittent fasting. For the first time in 18 months I started to lose weight (despite constant half-assed futile efforts before then). I have given myself permission to drink a couple of times for special occasions/social events but then decided against it. I feel 1000% times better, and never bloated or swollen from all the sugar in the wine, no hangovers, and have more energy in the mornings.

I've lost 30 lbs since September. I've replaced the wine with flavored 0 calorie water and hot green tea. It's completely fine because, as I said above, I wasn't even getting buzzed anyway.

The possibility of having abs on this 40+ body is all the incentive I need to keep going! Do this for you -- let your DH continue to drink if he wants to. But if you really want to quit, pour yourself some sparkling water in a wine glass and chug chug chug.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been the same way sometimes! I didn’t drink for 15 years because of pregnancies and nursing so maybe I’ve been making up for lost time. Ha!

I TRY to only drink weekends. But here I am with my 3rd small glass on a Tuesday! And weekend often starts Thursday. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

I was like you and started to put on weight. So I started keto diet and on keto I can drink wine. But it doesn't taste the same now. So I only drink around a bottle a week now, mostly during the weekend. I was getting to the point that I was finishing a bottle on my own during one night. I now exercise in the night, so it gives me relaxing feeling I used to get from wine and I drink herbal tea. I lost 14 lbs since the beginning of the year and I still enjoy my wine ocassionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was like you and started to put on weight. So I started keto diet and on keto I can drink wine. But it doesn't taste the same now. So I only drink around a bottle a week now, mostly during the weekend. I was getting to the point that I was finishing a bottle on my own during one night. I now exercise in the night, so it gives me relaxing feeling I used to get from wine and I drink herbal tea. I lost 14 lbs since the beginning of the year and I still enjoy my wine ocassionally.

Great job!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I’ve tried cutting back during the week but it always creeps back into my nightly ritual, particularly when DH and I are home together on the couch. He is not inclined to quit, and because I love wine too, it feels like I’m missing out when I abstain. But I’m concerned about my lack of resolve, especially given my family history, so I ordered This Naked Mind. I feel an epiphany is in order more than AA. I need to find a new nightly ritual for dealing with stress. Maybe a pretty teapot. Anyway, it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in this. Thanks!

I came across a wholesome thread a few weeks ago, so I dug it up: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/776734.page

Also, I agree with not focusing on whether or not you are officially an alcoholic. Names don't mean anything. If you are unsatisfied with the current state of things, it doesn't matter what category you fall under.

[Anonymous]

I'm similar to some of you - I noticed my wine intake gradually creeping up over the last few years. It wasn't causing me to do anything bad (like drive impaired or make risky sexual decisions or arrive late to work) but it was making me feel less than 100% the next morning and it made me worry a bit about the long term effects on my health.

So I mostly cut out drinking during the week, without too much difficulty. If I get a dinner invite on a Wednesday or whatever, I can still have a glass of wine. I'm just not sitting on the couch watching hallmark channel movies getting unintentionally buzzed.

Next, I'd like to cut it back a bit on the weekends too. My weekends are pretty jam-packed and it would be nice not to feel hungover while working out or doing errands.

One question for the group - when you cut back the booze, does anyone else find themselves filling the gap with food? I think it's related to the sugar in the booze - I think my body is addicted to that. It sucks because I end up eating more calories of crap than I would have had from the booze. So "weight loss" never seems to accompany my cutting back, like it supposedly does for other people.

[Anonymous]

11:46 here - suggested substitution for red wine drinkers. My stepmom makes mulled wine during the holidays - I think an 8 oz mug contains 1/4 red wine, 1/4 apple juice, 1/4 cranberry juice and 1/4 water, plus some spices. Heat it up and it's satisfying like a glass of wine, with just a splash of actual wine. It does have more calories though, from the juices. But I find myself having 1-2 glasses and being pretty satisfied on only 2-4 oz wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm similar to some of you - I noticed my wine intake gradually creeping up over the last few years. It wasn't causing me to do anything bad (like drive impaired or make risky sexual decisions or arrive late to work) but it was making me feel less than 100% the next morning and it made me worry a bit about the long term effects on my health.

So I mostly cut out drinking during the week, without too much difficulty. If I get a dinner invite on a Wednesday or whatever, I can still have a glass of wine. I'm just not sitting on the couch watching hallmark channel movies getting unintentionally buzzed.

Next, I'd like to cut it back a bit on the weekends too. My weekends are pretty jam-packed and it would be nice not to feel hungover while working out or doing errands.

One question for the group - when you cut back the booze, does anyone else find themselves filling the gap with food? I think it's related to the sugar in the booze - I think my body is addicted to that. It sucks because I end up eating more calories of crap than I would have had from the booze. So "weight loss" never seems to accompany my cutting back, like it supposedly does for other people.

I exercise in the evening now so I don't drink. Otherwise I will either drink wine, yell at my kids or eat sugary stuff.