I like a drink, I don't like drinking

LegacyUser

Drinking makes me ill. I know people get hangovers, but my body shuts down.

Some might suggest don't drink at all, but I enjoy a glass of wine or a nice beer without consequence.

My difficulty is with the going out drinking, where one ends up having 5, 6, 7... drinks.
Over time I've been able to say 7 pints is my limit, and that happens once in a blue moon, usually I'd only ever have 4/5 max. My point is I don't go binging very often, and my binge is another man's average night out.

So what's my point? I'd love some advice on how I can avoid drinking without giving it up!

People can argue about, you don't have to drink, or don't put yourself in that situation, but the fact remains drinking is part of socialising, particularly in Ireland, so it is part of my life, and it's something that's frustrating me.

Medical background - I'm a happy healthy 33yo male, but I do have a very high metabolism and the doc has suggested that this means my body doesn't process alcohol very well - it's very slow to leave my body, so in effect I poison myself! That's why I prefer keeping my drinking to a minimum.

I'd love to hear from people who have or had similar experiences.

Much obliged.

beks101

I'd be similar to you - enjoy a tipple, but feck all stamina with the stuff. I'd be feeling the effects after 2 or 3 glasses of wine, whereas my boyfriend could have a bottle and a half and then a few beers and he'll still bounce out of the bed at 7am.

The way I usually manage it is by limiting myself to 2 - 3 drinks on the big nights out, and stick to glass after glass of water in between. I also avoid spirits as the second the vodka starts, all bets are off...it's usually wine or beer for me. I could stand with a pint in my hand for an hour, same with a glass of wine...with water in between that will keep me going the whole night.

If you're hanging around with people who guzzle it back and do rounds of shots every half hour you're obviously going to have to just check out of that behaviour and stick to your own pace. Anyone who's not an aRsehole wouldn't have a problem with that.

Saipanne

There is a Non Drinkers Forum on here. It might interest you and you'll find like minded people there. Good luck.

Mr. Loverman

I don't really get what you're saying.

You're trying to imply you're not a problem drinker, yet here you are telling us about your drinking problem.

If you are unable to stick to the one or two beers or wines (which cause no problem), then you have to really consider that you might have an alcohol problem.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

I know it's Ireland and I know people think you have to be drunk asleep on the street to have a drinking problem, but alcohol is literally causing problems in your life.

I recommend, if you cannot limit your drinking, you seriously consider quitting.

bee06

OP, I assume you mean from a logistical point of view when you're out with people who drink more than you? I can't drink much either. I usually drink one drink for every two that everyone else drinks. My friends and family know what I'm like so it's never a problem but when I'm out with new people you do have to be firm and not trying to keep up with them is necessary. Staying out of rounds makes it easier as well because people notice what you drink less.

ted1

Drink bottles instead of pints. Lots of pubs stock alcohol fee beer like erdinger try drinking that.

Rubberchikken

Alcohol freebeer.
Alternate 1 beer or wine with a soft drink.

Just because others drink diesn't mean everyone dies or that everyone has to drink a hugh amount.

tenifan

Bottles instead of pints is a good start.
Another good idea is to ensure your social life doesn't revolve around the pub. Doing a gym class on Saturday morning can be a good incentive to go home after 3-4 bottles instead of staying out all night.

dellas1979

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Alcohol freebeer.
Alternate 1 beer or wine with a soft drink.

Just because others drink diesn't mean everyone dies or that everyone has to drink a hugh amount.

Agree.

I was at a thing with a free bar recently, and most people were chugging them back (why not if you want to/can). I had a few and then decided to alternate with water. Just cause everyone else is chugging them back, doesnt mean I have to (although, there was a split second when I heard "free" and had to mindfully remind myself).

My thing is that I would be dying for 2-3 days with a hangover. Like you said Id literally feel like Id poisoned myself (bad bad headaches-where I feel I cant move, sweats etc). So, if I drink now, I have a few (and I enjoy them) and then have water or something.

mickdw

I spent years drinking pints when I would be out. Very seldom out tbh but I would be dying the whole next day, not right till the following morning again.
Switched drinks and had no issues.

kjl

Saipanne wrote: »

There is a Non Drinkers Forum on here. It might interest you and you'll find like minded people there. Good luck.

I am a non drinker and I hate the forum, I don't drink by choice and I find that forum is full of recovering alcoholics talking about the struggle of not drinking.

SuperGrover

I enjoy social pints but just absolutely refuse (no exceptions) to let other people pressure me to drink faster or have more than I want to or feel like. I just don't like the hangovers that have got worse as I've got older.

It's that simple, drink within your limits. People don't REALLY care if you have 3 pints, 5 pints or 7 pints. It's just pub banter and blokey nonsense.

Est28

Don't mind the "judgey" people and moral police OP... they always pop up on these threads.

I get what you mean... I am not bothered to have a drink at all during the week but I'll have a few at the weekend to be social.
But while I could have probably drank plenty in my college years and be right as rain in the morning, I agree, as I approached 30, 4/5 is my absolute limit or I'll just be up for nothing the next day. I don't know if it's the actual tolerance or the willingness to accept a hangover that diminished but there it is.

It's not so hard if you're conscious of it.
- Sometime I drive down to meet my friends and don't have a drink, the driving is an easy excuse if it's just a quiet night anyway.
- Only bring enough cash for 3/4 drinks.
- Don't get into rounds.
- Be a little more conscious of how fast a pint goes down, sometimes in conversation I just keep sipping every 30 seconds out of habit, consciously take a sip every few minutes instead.
- Actually plan stuff for the morning after. Like if it's the weekend I'll feel really good waking up Sunday and going off to do stuff than knowing I could have been curled up in bed if I had the extra few.
- If it's a "night on the town" type of night, I just go out later now and don't bother with the scramble at last call. You'd be surprised how much this adds up. If you don't actually go out until 10 or 11 when things get going anyway you won't have had 2/3 hours of drinks behind you.
- Also, downing those last pint or 2 at last call is pointless. By the end of the night you're as under the influence as you need to be, the rest you're only getting more drunk as you go to bed, extending the hangover since it doesn't really start wearing off until the next morning.
- EAT! I used make this mistake. I used to have a big takeout on a Saturday night and then go out. I got a lot healthier in the last few years and cut that out but I also noticed, by the end of a night I'm starving, and that makes the alcohol take worse effect. Make sure you eat if you've a few pints and it makes a huge difference to how i feel the next day.

The_Conductor

When I have a drink- its just that- a drink. I don't go drinking 5-6-7 pints.....
I also don't try to use alcohol as a crutch to socialise with.

I genuinely think you need to restructure your social life- away from a reliance on going out drinking with your buddies.

I can't handle alcohol either- I've Crohn's Disease- if I drink more than 2-3 drinks, I'd genuinely hospitalise myself- instead of dealing with this when I cross that bridge- I deliberately don't cross the bridge.........

There are lots of things you can do with your family and friends that do not involve sitting down and drinking. Or- if you do have the odd drink- make it 'a' drink- as in, a single drink- and perhaps have it with a meal- which tends to ameliorate the effects.

I just don't understand the- 'I have to drink 6-7 pints' and its going to cause me serious harm attitude. Why do you put yourself in that situation?