[Closed] Your relationship with alcohol...

I think it's addictive?

P.S. I have all of the above....

We are happily divorced.

I no longer race.  Work and general life is stressful, and I do enjoy a beer/wine.

We have the struggle because it's addictive. Or because it's pleasant after a heavy day. Or because we love the flavour.

If it did no harm and you woke up as fresh as a daisy you wouldn't worry about it. I find that if I sit out the craving, once it has passed I'm pleased I didn't open a beer, if I even think about it again

I have a glass of red pretty much everyday. Very rarely more. I dont let it worry me.

I really fancy a beer now. Thanks for that.

I used to give myself a hard time for drinking too much. I used to have all sorts of systems in place to drink less. I've stopped worrying about it in the last few years but I am conscious of the fact that I can't remember the last time I didn't have a drink. Just one beer tonight but, like I say, it's every night.

Thing is, I don't even get hangovers any more. I never drink a huge amount in one evening although have done in the past. But, actually I can remember the last time I didn't have a drink, and I felt really good the next morning. Managed for a couple of days, think I've cracked this non-drinking lark, I think to myself, and then something will happen - could be a good thing or a bad thing - and I'll have a drink and off we go again.

I dunno, funny stuff is alcohol. Still, makes for an interesting thread on stw!

I’ve barely touched it this year. Stag do (though, I wouldn’t have minded not drinking, not really the done thing...) and wedding day, haven’t missed it. From now on I’m applying a rule of quality as opposed to quantity.

Why oh why do  we have this incessant struggle of do, don’t, maybe with alcohol?  Why do we feel guilty?

I don't. I accept that alcohol is bad in excess, so I avoid that. If I feel like a drink, I'll have one.

Edit: TBH, you often.come across as a very stressed person. Maybe it's that juggling of career, family and racing. I can see how the enjoyment of a little alcohol might be attractive for relaxation - but also that you would subsequently get stressed about it. It's a dilemma right enough!  🙂

i utterly love getting pissed, especially with the wife.

However I feel like sh*t afterwards and it gets in the way of the weekend's activities and kids. so I rarely do anymore . life is short so I'd rather not spend it hungover. But hang on, life is short... perhaps I should do more of the things I love. I'm so confused. But definitely not pissed.

Heineken 0%

Compared to others (Becks Paint ‘Blue’ Stripper) it’s been a game changer.

Teaching chemistry the kids need to know the diatomic molecule elements. Last June my class were revising while another member of staff covered. She mentioned that my class made her go home and have a chilled beer in the garden.

The mnemonic the kids were using for hydrogen, nitrogen, fluorine, oxygen, iodine, bromine chlorine was have no fear of ice cold beer.

I barely have any in the house. I probably average a beer a week.

I haven't the best of willpower, and alcohol certainly doesn't assist with it, I find a glass of wine is like a gateway drug and will lead to 4 or 5 nice bottles of beer too. I've always been like this, but in the last few years I've grown to dislike the effects of alcohol, but still love the taste of beer....

Anyway, a few things came together at once, some family stuff, a need to lose the 3 stone I'd put on over the years, and starting Uni at 43, I decided to knock it on the head, I need a clear head if I'm gonna keep up at all with these young uni types!.

Tbh I'd had similar thoughts at the turn of the year, and knocked it on the head from November til around march, then I had a few and one thing led to another and ended up relenting for a few months again, but nowhere near as much, only mibbe a saturday night. Then we had a week in the sun in late june, and I decided there that I was gonna chuck it for the aforementioned reasons after the hol (though I had 3 days on hol I didn't bother drinking).

So, last beer was in a Maltese airport, on 5th July. I enjoy having a clear head, sleeping better, fitter than I've ever been as I don't have the lethargy I had the day after a few beers, if we go out for a meal I drive now, so not stuck with local places so I can drink with the meal, it all just suits me better.My wife isn't much of a drinker anyway, maybe only have one glass of wine every few weeks, so it's a lot easier.

Anyway, I've got past the envious glances walking past pubs etc, and just don't really think about it any more. Only exception is after a right good day biking, I fancy a beer, but a few non alcoholic beers sorts out the thirst, sorted.

Agree Tiger, Heineken zero is bloody brilliant!

Just in from cubs and I fancy a beer now too. I have a stinking cold and not training, so seems reasonable. But I know it's easy for me to go from a few weekend drinks to drinks on 4 out of 7 days. Pah. Maybe a redbush instead.

Iit s a great way to relcx evecr si skightku.

i love beer, it is a true passion along with bikes and family.

i call for a pint most days on my ride home. no more than a pint tho. i try a different beer most days.

and i i have a good drink (8 or so pints) on a saturday.  it is what i do.

i dont get drunk.

Corrrr blimey man, stop stressing out.

I love whiskey, I have a large slug by my side now.. I may have another later.

I average 1 pint a week and 4 large whiskeys, I feel fine man.

I’m also going through a white wine phase, but a bottle will last a couple of weeks.

So, no booze Sunday through Wednesday.. Thursday, Friday and Saturday are my days for a drink.

But then I’m not stressing out about training like you, even when knocking out 50/60k a week running I still had the same routine about drink..

Moderation that man, moderation..

My dad was an alcoholic and this has definitely put me on red alert. I’ve been a habitual drinker and while not a total lush for a long time I’d have one then maybe a few more. One whisky which in reality was a quadruple etc. Anyway, I’ve absolutely knocked it right back but like you I had a period of really struggling to break the habit. And it’s a habit. I drink either 0% or fizzy water and once the ‘I want’ subsides I am alright. I sleep well, I’m a nicer husband and dad and my work is better. I’m fitter and more alert. I still have a few drinks but not wanting to be hungover or a **** I am careful. Saying that I had a whisky last night to calm down after a stressful appointment at hospital !!

I had five pints during yesterday's ride.

Sure, the question (regarding myself) isn’t about moderation Bikebouy, last time I drank was 1 glass of Rioja on Sunday, and this 190ml remainder I chose over the beer (less cals) will be the last until Saturday.

The question more about our general relationship with it, the yes/no or should/shouldn’t and why/why not.

i see it as a foodstuff, like tea, coffee, water. but one that i enjoy drinking.

proper real ale is full of good stuff too.  perfect.

I barely have any in the house.

I find it difficult to have in the house now,  I do like it.  Safest is only to ever have a couple of bottles around as it's always nice to have something available for when folks drop round.  If there is more than that then I risk scoffing it all in one go

Yak wrote

Just in from cubs and I fancy a beer now too.

are you not a bit young to be drinking?

I like it and enjoy it

Don't think I drink too much and it doesn't stop me from doing anything.

Sure I could be lighter  faster on the bike if I didn't drink.

But I enjoy a drink and food too.

<div class="bbp-reply-author">Kryton57
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”  I know also the basic science of how bad alcohol is for “athletes”.

Simply switch to rugby and start binge drinking:

http://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/about-massey/news/article.cfm?mnarticle_uuid=C4E1FC5A-955E-FB09-15F2-DEC69794CDA5

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Nice thing about being a lightweight, I couldn't drink loads even if I wanted to.

Hardly ever drink and not really that bothered about it, probably had a dozen pints and maybe the same number of whiskies this year, very much take it or leave it but occasionally just fancy a nice IPA and why not. There is a little booze in the house but we never drink it when it's just us, might come out if we have guests, and because of where we live I will probably have to drive if I go to a pub and Scottish drink drive laws are stricter so I don't drink then, so really just the odd one when away for a weekend. Had a pint after Relentless but I was so tired and my stomach was all over the shop so one was plenty! That was my last one and it was a month ago. Might have another at the club christmas dinner next month, unless the weather is rubbish and I have to drive there rather than ride.

I’ve recently made an effort to cut down and improved sleep is very noticeable. Also less negative thoughts and I look forward to a deep full sleep.

I think if you really want a beer though, have one.

Erm..

Relationship with it is moderation man.

Stop stressing..

I'd suggest the stress you are in over this is actually doing you more harm than having a nice cold beer.

Personally, I've found that 3-4 pints/drinks is the hangover limit for me: This only usually happens at weekends and I make sure I can still enjoy the beautiful BC countryside on my bike. Any more and it's Netflix, ice hockey and sofa for the next day, which I find enjoyable, but a bit of a waste.

I'll very occasionally have one during the week, such as a glass of wine, or a beer, but it stops at just one.

Ultimately, life is too short to stress about such things.

I have had an up and down relationship with alcohol over the years.  I used to be a couple of pints a couple of days a week plus a few at weekends - that steadily grew until was a few pints a few days a week and a bucketful at weeknds.  My weight went up and my fitness down so I decided to cut back.  Now I often go a couple of weeks without nay at all, a beer or two now and then and a half a bucketful occasionally.  Hangovers are ruddy awful now

I love whisky but unfortunately too much makes me really stroppy.  I hardly touch it now.

But nothing - nothing in the world beats that well earned pint after a hard day in the hills.  I couldn't stop that pint or even the second one ( cos the first just evaporates)  for anything

[url= https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4877/45897646551_2e67b6d117_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4877/45897646551_2e67b6d117_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2cVPrgD ]IMG_3594[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/25846484@N04/ ]TandemJeremy[/url], on Flickr

a long hard sweaty day on bikes - that pint was just delicious.

Nice pic TJ.

I'm making it faster than I'm drinking it at the moment. It's helped by the fact I've got a slightly off batch to work through but I refuse to throw any away.

I'm sure I'll put a dent in it over Christmas though.

To answer your question, pretty good I think.. I rarely drink during the week, though I did have a glass of Port with the first mince pie of the season last night. I have a couple of beers over the weekend, maybe a bottle of wine with Mrs Lunge if it’s an occasion.

Like many above, I did used to drink to much and found it easy to get into a nightly habit of a beer or 2, often followed by a skinful over the weekend. But life changes and I don’t like hangovers, so that’s stopped.

Magicrock Tap tomorrow night, will stick to the weaker ones, wife is off to Leeds shopping sat am so wake up hungover and head out on the bike, I.ll either feel great or sick very sick.. as long as the hangover has cleared up once I get back.

moderation is the key, I only get a hangover when out with my mates which thankfully is rare these days

Magicrock Tap tomorrow night,

jammy sod.

curious is my all time fave.

We have understanding that we are no longer together but from time to time we need to meet. We're get ****ed up buddies.

I had a weird relationship with it when I was younger. No off switch just meant that one drink would always lead to being drunk. I no longer drink that often. Once this year that I can recall. I have two bottles of nice bourbon in the kitchen cupboard. One of which is still unopened.

Having kids of my own and being a child of two alcoholic parents, one violent and one reformed, probably has some bearing on how little I now drink.  I drink my body weight in coffee on a daily basis though. Which is probably as bad for you from a health perspective.

I sometimes dive into the Piccadilly Tap for a swift one after a shitty day at work. I quite often drink wine at home. I've stopped buying whisky though - far too moreish.

have a drink 2 - 3 nights a week with the wifey.  share a bottle of red or a couple of strong G&Ts.  out for 4-5 beers once a month.  and prob catch up with an old school pal once every 6 months and drink a ridiculous amount and suffer for z couple of days afterwards.

did give up for 6 months when try g for kids.  I lost a chunk of weight and was the fastest on a bike I've been

I like beer, cider, wine and whiskey in small amounts.

In medium to large amounts they make me super hungover/sick

If someone removed all alcoholic drinks from the world tomorrow I'm not sure I would be that bothered.

Take away coffee, chilli or pork scratchings and I may have to start a revolution.

I don't drink through the week. I'm very partial to real ale and/or whisky at the weekend though, but with 2 young kids to keep me busy, more than a couple of beers I'll more than likely wake up on the sofa in the early hours having nodded off... 😴 Can't beat a pint in the pub after a long ride though...

Hardly ever drink at home maybe the odd glass of red with the right food, outside of the house I struggle to ride past one every ride I can remember has finished with a beer. Think I hold the most pints downed on the HT550 🙂

Kendal Mountain Festival this weekend so I will be bladdered all weekend!

Cheers

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What can we just "get on"

Nice pic TJ.

Lovely pic.

I sincerely doubt if anyone on this forum drinks anywhere near as much as I do. I know I should drink less (for health) but I bloody love it.

There are few things in life I enjoy more than a decent beer. Luckily I now drink quality rather than quantity. Going out on the P1ss is pretty rare for me these days, partly because I can no longer do it...it wipes me out for days after, but also partly because I don't have many mates who haven't succumbed to being under the thumb of their dictatorial other halves (i'm lucky, my wife gives me a free pass out whenever I like really as long as I don't abuse). But I must admit to enjoying going out for a good session all the more now I do it so infrequently,

I do meet up with mates after work down the local for a few most weeks but that is about it in terms of routine drinking, but it also doubles up as a good therapy...there is no better therapy in life than having beer with mates down the pub - i'm very lucky in that regard. I don't drink at home during the week...i'm definitely a social drinker. So a much healthier lifestyle these days..better quality beer and less of it is the key I think...I can't abide the mass produced chemical packed beers these days...I don't suffer a hang over when drinking strong real ales, but if I have a couple of pints of Peroni or San Miguel or any other similar slop than that and the next day it's like I've been stuck in the head with a pick axe and force fed laxitives. Its as far from real beer than Coke. In fact these days if that muck is the only option i'll tend to have a G&T.

Yet I find myself at moments like now, we’re I’ve had a head bangingly stressful day at work and just fancy a cold beer after the kids are in bed.  I’m stressing myself out thinking “I shouldn’t but”…

If you are drinking because you enjoy the feeling on a night out etc. that is one thing

if you feel you need to self medicate with alcohol to relieve something else then that is not so much a good thing

it can be for many people an addictive substance and if you are using it to “cope” or to mask something else this increases the chance of dependencey

I've not had a drink thus far in 2018, my last drink being on NYE. I didn't drink much before. Can't say I feel any different, but I can't say I miss it either. I'm not sure if I'll drink again, it's just not part of my life and not something I think about too much.

I am much more likely to go to a pub and not drink alcohol. I very rarely drink at home - possibly 10 cans of beer a year

I put it down to studying when all my mates were out drinking/socialising so I don't associate alcohol with having a good time

Don't get me wrong I love a cold beer on a sunny day and I have no problem with others in my company drinking themselves into oblivion

I'm often rehearsing/gigging in a band situation where is positively a necessity for some people to have a drink or several and I will be completely sober.

Such is life

I like beer. Life gets in the way so I can't really afford a hangover and I can't stand the feeling of being hungover now anyway. So now I reckon I have between 2 and 5 nice beers spread over a week. Generally after a cycle or something like that, it's like a treat to myself.

Occasionally I think maybe I could cut it out then think, no.

The times recently when I have had to consciously cut down was when doing a lot of travelling for work. Easy to get into the habit of having a few drinks every night when away from home in a crappy place with not much else but a pub.

Life's short. If you want a drink have a drink. Same goes for life's other "naughties" like butter, sugar, red meat and Jeffrey Archer novels etc. Well maybe not that last one.

On the other hand, if you're pouring whisky on your cornflakes in the morning it's maybe time to cut back a bit.

Oh, and don't listen too much to the "I only ever have a small sherry on my birthday" comments. I'm sure some folk do, but it's generally accepted that most folk are drinking a good bit more than they admit to.

Occasionally I think maybe I could cut it out then think, no

See, this is partly where I am.  I don’t see why I should suck all enjoyment out of my life as long as its not habitual.

My last marriage ended in divorce because I realised that my ex-wife was an abusive alcoholic. After I realised that, I became very anti-alcohol and, on the occasion that I did have a beer (like when I was away with the Army or a long way from home on my own) had a severe amount of self loathing about it.

That is less of a problem now. lI can have a beer or a glass of wine and rarely drink otherwise. I commute to work in the city, so being hungover raises the risks for me substantially.

In my days of yoof, I was awful at pacing myself, I would drink pints like squash. Never really got into spirits, besides Baileys-esque drinks, but as I got older I used to like having a glass of merlot when I got home from work... Which later developed into two, pretty much everyday.

But then I was put on meds for a while just over 10 years ago, which wasn't supposed to be mixed with booze and the habit has been pretty much broken since. I might have a glass of wine or two less than a handful of times a year these days, but when I do, just as before I can drink a glass or two far too quickly and have a stonking hangover within a couple of hours!

I like a good beer. And a good red wine. I enjoy getting pissed every now and then, but I absolutely cannot function properly the next day beyond probably 4 beers & the hangover is fierce, which is amusing.

I don't drink much at all any more. If you averaged it out, probably a pint a week, for the above reason - I like to do things at the weekend, get outside etc, and feeling like crap, moping around stops me, so I don't bother.

In the politest possible way as well, you're a (middle aged?) guy racing regional XC races (maybe nationals, sorry not paid a massive amount of attention), you arn't going to be the next Nino, do you not think you should be able to enjoy yourself with the things you like every once in a while? A couple of beers every now & then is not going to  If I applied the worry & stress to life, training & riding my bike you seem to, I don't think I would ever ride. It sounds like hell.

Put the drinking in reverse this year, like a lot of ye by the sounds of it. Going for the Holy Grail of cutting right down, rather than complete abstinence, but whatever works. I do like the ale but it's a habit - like if you want a drink because you're stressed AF, or it's a social occasion, after a ride etc etc they're all good(ish) reasons. But just quaffing beer and red wine for no real motivating reason - I think most of us know the balance of that equation.

I come from an Irish family that is pickled in alcohol, frankly speaking - at least on the male side. But God in his mercy denied me the whiskey gene - I think I'd be in trouble by now if I liked the spirits.

4 young kids

they dont respect hangovers !

I have 2 or 3 beers or maybe a bottle of wine with the wife on a friday &/or saturday, & only once the kids are in bed

my family drink a lot & are overweight & rarely exercise, that depresses me

we have 'Thirsty Thursday' every week after work, but I have the convenient excuse of getting home for the kids & once they are in bed I go for a nightride!

Tired legs on a Friday are much better than everyone else moping around work with a hangover

I used to smoke a lot of weed, but havent had any since my son was born 8 years ago!

Don’t drink in the week normally as can’t be bothered. 2 pint Tuesday every couple of weeks though when ride to the pub to meet a mate and have a chat and a burger. Was on everything except roller skates in my 20’s and loved it, had a complete ball partying and travelling the world. When the downers kicked in I stopped. Will be bladdered on Saturday as out for sisters birthday I’m not stressing or thinking about it. If I was I’d quit.

Now you see, this is where I'm having an issues.   I'm 30 mins away from a nice quiet hotel that has a bar and a river view.  Its screaming "pint!" after work.

With Christmas Parties on the 7th & 14th I'd originally made it a goal to have nothing in between.   I have zero will power.

Sigh.

Thanks for posting,I'm off to the pub...Cheers

If it helps, a couple of weeks ago I had a bad nights sleep and what I thought was an asthma attack, so went to the doctors following day. The doctor examined me, took my blood pressure twice and declared my liver was damaged and I’d need blood tests. He also said any chest pains, wheezing etc to call 999.

Now I like a beer and briefly it crossed my mind ‘what if I can’t drink any more??’ I then realised what a hold alcohol has on me, despite not being a big drinker these days.

So I waited for the results, worried like hell about all those one more beers and lock ins, why wasn’t I more sensible when I was younger etc.

Results came back as absolutely fine, my blood pressure has returned to normal and was probably high due to lack of sleep/oxygen.

But I’m still sat here thinking, I’m home early I could pop to the pub for a pint.

I'm not sure if that put me off or encouraged me Jamesoz 😀

Sorry just being honest, must admit despite the Gp (in my opinion) creating unnecessary stress, which wouldn’t have helped the high blood pressure. Before that misdiagnosis I would have gone to the pub, rather than sitting here thinking about it and drinking tea instead

I'm a beer fan. And a wine fan and a whisky fan too. Ironically, I have a fair few whiskies in the house, but can go weeks without even looking at them. Wine bottles, however, are viewed as single-serving containers. And I don't reckon I can ever have a single beer (unless I'm driving of course).

On holiday recently, I managed probably 23 days of (social, mostly moderate) drinking in a row and did wonder if perhaps I might think about cutting down - but then, I'm fitter than I've been for years, rarely get hangovers and it doesn't get in the way of work. I don't go out drinking that much, but if I do, then I'm out until the lights come on. And I appear to be a cheery, reasonably sensible drunk, which my partner has complimented me about, as her ex definitely wasn't. 🙂

I think the answer is to just not have any/much beer and wine in the house...

I often feel like the odd one out with my friends who seem to do an awful lot of drinking at home. I'll drink at parties and pubs, and enjoy getting wasted every now and again, but other than that I can take or leave booze. Ditto for other substances, tbh - I guess I just don't have a very addictive personality.

JP

I started recording what I drink on a phone app about a month ago. Not really shocked by what it tells me, it's about what I expected. I'm curious to know though how much I was drinking before as it's definitely reduced my intake. I have a dilemma though. I went out with an old mate recently who is effectively a non-drinker. He was bladdered after 4 pints. That's not my idea of a good night out to be honest as I'm well over getting really pissed. Trouble is you can't be a moderate drinker* and someone who doesn't get w*nkered after a few pints with no hangover at the same time.

*much as I like to think I doubt this will ever happen.

For the 10 years after we got together the wife and I drank so much our back teeth were floating then quite suddenly when we got to our late 20's we just about packed in over a period of a few months.

Now nearly 50 we have the odd drink socially with friends , very rarely more than 2/3 at any one time. We always have quite a bit in the house (currently 7 different spirits,28 bottles of wine,5 bottles of beer) but the draw we once had has all but gone.

We enjoy a drink but can take it or leave it.

At the moment we're barely talking.

Consumption is rarer than sex, swimming, cycling or even running, and does less for me than any of them.

Hours on the bike should exceed units consumed per week. I can take alcohol or leave it. I like the taste and love nice beers. But I don’t drink to relax or get drunk. I exercise  instead.

I drink too much. Too regularly, rarely have an evening without a beer. I don't do pints and pints; just a couple of bottles each night, a bit more Fri / Sat night. I know it's too much

Kryton - TBH, sounds like your relationship with alcohol is just fine. A few nights a week, not to excess. Sounds fine to me

Saturday morning was awesome, usually wake up after works Xmas night out as rough as a badger, drove this time, fresh as paint in the morning.

5 months now since last beers, it's the future. 😊

We have a love hate relationship .

I too have a love/hate relationship. My problem has always been no off switch - I'm always up for another. I've now discovered PistonHead Flat Tire 0.5% which I really like the flavour of. Now, I'll generally have one of those and stop. Sometimes I'll feel like a proper drink (e.g. my reward to myself after having my hand operated on) and that may end up with me drinking a bottle of red fine or 4 beers but the following day I regret it and go back to the Flat Tire.

O.p. leading club ride?

Haven't drunk for years. Can't stand the taste of pretty much all alcoholic drinks. Not really an ideological or health thing.

It’s psychological effect is amazing.  Got through dry January barely thinking about booze.  Could have had a beer or two with the Rugby this afternoon but decided recovery from this mornings training and alchohols effect on that should take precedence for the 1-6hr magic window.

NowI’m thinking that after 8pm a tot of fine rum would be nice.

Defiantly over thinking it, but I can’t seem to help it!  Part of me says staying Dry is a moral victory and does not wan to concede.

Quaff’able.