100% of the time, if anyone posts a question about their alcohol consumption on DCUM, the temperance Union will come out in force and say you have a problem. No matter how much the person says they drink.

“Oh, you have a glass of wine EVERY Friday night? To RELAX? You’re dependent and should get help to find out why you NEED that.”

Anonymous wrote:I’d love to drink every night, even just 1. I like the taste. But I don’t like the calories or the impact on overall health (including sleep).

I doubt drinking 2 drinks a night is the secret to your happiness.

I make a rule, any day I exceed my calorie burn target on my Fitbit by more than 400 calories I can have a drink, except not 2 days in a row, except for special exceptions and special exceptions can’t happen on weeknights. I can save up one credit during the week by not drinking mon-thurs and then drink fri, sat, and sun evenings.

So in the end this means I’ll usually have a drink 3-4 nights a week.

This seems like a lot of work.

The problem is eventually you will need 3-4 to get the same effect. Then 4-5. Then 5-6.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not healthy but your not an alcoholic.

Borderline

Nope

Yeah.

It is good you realized 2-3 drinks a night is not good for you OP. That is a lot for an average sized woman.

Since you indicated some boredom, could you schedule a date night every week or so? Plan walks with your spouse? Plan game nights?

You want to try to keep the spark alive. I know it is hard. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:It's not about how many, people. Its about the reason why. If you depend on it for XYZ emotion, it's an issue. That doesn't mean you're an alcoholic, but it does mean you're alcohol dependent.

This.

If you’re using it to bury feelings or escape, that is an issue. That sounds like what you’re doing because you say you’re bored.

It's not about how many, people. Its about the reason why. If you depend on it for XYZ emotion, it's an issue. That doesn't mean you're an alcoholic, but it does mean you're alcohol dependent.

Anonymous wrote:Annie Grace, This Naked Mind. Read it! Changed my entire vision of alcohol. I still have a social drink once or twice a month, but I recognize alcohol for what it is: The only drug that requires an explanation if you elect NOT to partake.

Except she is full of it. (And charging people too much for nothing. And she stole all her material from Alan Carr). Not everyone is sliding down the pitcher plant. Some people have 2 drinks a day forever.

Anonymous wrote:I think you are an alcoholic if you feel you need the alcohol. You should go to an AA meeting to talk with people there about it. I am very serious.

Two drinks a day is NOT alcoholism. I don’t care what the teetotalers preach about how “if you want a drink you’re an alcoholic.” That is absurd and unhelpful. OP has an unhealthy habit.

OP, there are lots of reasons to quit or cut back. Do so for a couple months and you won’t miss it anymore.

I don't think it's that bad/you're probably not an alcoholic. What does your spouse think? Also, are these cocktails at home or out at restaurants? If you are always having a 3 drink dinner, you are spending A LOT of money on booze. That would be my primary reason to want to reduce.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not healthy but your not an alcoholic.

Borderline

Nope

Anonymous wrote:It’s not healthy but your not an alcoholic.

Borderline

I think you are far from alone in using alcohol to get a little stimulation of the brain reward pathway in the midst of boring adult life. I like to drink too, but I would personally try to get it to where you are not drinking more days than you are drinking... so 3 days max except for things like vacation. Could you go to a workout class 1-2 evenings per week? That would keep you away from the temptation at a time of day that's tough for you to resist, and it would give you the endorphins. Or even planning to go for a long walk while listening to a fun podcast episode.

Annie Grace, This Naked Mind. Read it! Changed my entire vision of alcohol. I still have a social drink once or twice a month, but I recognize alcohol for what it is: The only drug that requires an explanation if you elect NOT to partake.

OP here, these comments were extremely helpful. Even though there were different levels of concern, it’s telling that no one thought this was just A-OK. Heard and understood. I like the suggestion of waiting until the weekend (which is what I do with food indulgences). Sigh. I probably do need to find something else to look forward to during the week. The endless cycle of work, chauffeuring, dinner, homework help, clean-up preparing for the next day…. All wonderful things, yes. A full happy life. But boy do I miss having a little fun and engaging in some debauchery every now and again

So…cutting back it is. Finding another way to entertain myself in the evenings.

Thanks for the ideas and advice. Feeling a little embarrassed now that I didn’t realize this myself