OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

[gkej0507]

OK.

So I'm Day 4 AF. What is the general thought re: social drinking?

Is it possible for someone who has an alcohol addiction? Is it a good idea?

Any tips?

I have a function on Saturday which I would like to drink at, probably 3 - 4 drinks of sparkling.

My original intention always was to only drink socially (ie not at home alone) but now I'm not so sure....

Maybe for me NIL is the only way?

As background, I am waiting for my first counselling session at a substance abuse clinic. Haven't been to AA or any meetings.
Typically drink 4 - 8 (standard drinks 30ml vodka or 100ml wine) a night, very occasionally more than that.
Before this week (Fri 30th Jan) can't remember a day when I haven't had a drink for since having my 2 yr old daughter.

[KateH1]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

If you read the MWO book regarding moderating......drinking 3-4 drinks would not be considered moderate. Do you honestly believe that you will stop at 4? Again, I am not suggesting that this is a good idea at all. Are you planning on driving a car after drinking 3-4 drinks?

It seems that from what you have said, "seeking counseling from a substance abuse counselor", you believe that you have a serious problem......from what you have said about your drinking history, you definetly do have a problem.

Here's the deal.....alcoholics WANT to DRINK...period and....when we are still drinking, we will make up any excuse and create any reasons and justify those, in order to continue drinking.

Bottom line....what you are talking about, 3-4 drinks is NOT social drinking.

Good Luck!

[upnorthgirl]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

tough it out if you can

I have found it is a lot easier to stay AF at a party than it is while home and alone. You may surprise yourself--drink something other than AL. be social, have fun. I would not recommend drinking this early in the game. It sure does not work for me--I can not Mod...must be AF to succeed

[network]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

Hi gkey
i found out that i could do 2 drinks. I have not try to drink more as i worry it might lead to binge.
On the other hand 2 drinks have no affect on me, so whats the point drinking at all?
I do it so people will not ask questions, thats it. I hate people asking me why im not drinking.

Good luck
Netty

[gkej0507]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

I phoned my counsellor - he was very supportive - it's up to me ultimately - he agrees that 30 days AF is a good way to go as a start but also thinks that I am a good candidate for attempting moderation in a social situation as my history is that I can go 12 - 16 hours without any alcohol? And I have never drunk to the point of passing out?

Anyway, whatever I do I must have a plan - eat before going, take AF beverage with me, say that I'm driving etc.

I hadn't planned on driving after drinking anything. Not sure if I'd stop at 1 either. Maybe have 2 but 1/2 wine 1/2 soda.

THanks all, appreciate your input

[Sweaty Betty]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

Hi gke.

I had 3 glasses of wine at a social occasion on Friday, and have been AF since. BUT I tried mod before after being AF for 5 days and ended up having a binge - and I have never been a binge drinker. I'm going out with the same group of people this Friday and am going to be alcohol free. I have a reputation as the 'party girl' and most people presume that this side of my personality goes hand in hand with alcohol. What I'm finding (and surprising myself) is that I'm a much nicer, upbeat person without the AL, and after a few backhanded comments last week (implying I'd actually had a lot more to drink than I had) I'm determined to be AF AND have a great time on Friday - and I'm going to drive. I just got GPS, so I don't get lost as much!! Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[Aussie Chick]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

Hi Gke, firstly, well done with 4 days AF. You sound like you are approaching this very sensibly, especially phoning the consellor to chat it over with before your social event.

I was drinking about a bottle or just over of wine a night for a few years, until early January this year. Probably the same as you by the sound of it. I was fed up feeling so guilty about it and knowing that 50+ units of alcohol a week is just not sensible. Anyway, my overall aim wasn't to become totally AF but try to moderate down to the 14 units weekly guideline for women. Like you, I don't binge, fall over, get dead drunk etc I just drank too much every day to be healthy.

I did 11 days AF then have been moderating since with AF days in the week etc. I am taking the sups including Kudzu and L-Glut but not Topo or anything, and quite honestly my need for wine has really diminished.

I was waiting until it was OK to have a glass of wine every day at around 5 or 6pm and having 3 or 4 big glasses, but now I may have one or two regular glasses at around 7.30 /8pm on a non AF day and that is it plus I take ages drinking them.

I wish you luck moderating and hope it goes well for you.

AC x x

[gyco]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

hi everyone,lol good advice from all ,one thing for sure, a great choice in its self, your here,anyone can stop drinking,maintenance,looking at your drinking habit, is kinda like putting diesel gas, into a car that takes regular gas,it will not run rt , right,the,human body is the same,no what i mean,ive drank for 39 years,and stopped quite a few times,longest 2 years,everytime i stopped my body started to feel better,on your drinking,im not a doctor,when you see your councillor tell him or her what your drinking pattern is, what you told us,i no the councillor that i went to , said find options and stop drinking b4 it destroys your life,as far as social events, a few is ok,but a few is not what you quoted,the reason They call it alcoholism is,normal people dont think about it,hope this finds you well and god luck to you gyco most of all b4 you say anything make sure its said in confidentiality

[Sunbeam]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

gke,
I agree that you should do at least 30 days AF to put your life into perspective. I am an occasional social drinker (less than weekly), but many here say that drinking anything at all will quickly send them back where they started. I think it isn't as much about the time as self-reflection: what does drinking really add to your life? Drinking moderately is much more difficult than going AF. You can read more about my experience under Tell Us Your Story, title of My Own Path.

[aprilmoon]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

I am working on 7 days AF.....Moderating is not an option for me. One drink leads to 10.....and one day leads to several in a row. I know my history.....so I have to go at it AF. You do what you think will work best for you. I wish you all the best!

[peacenik]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

one is too many and a thousand ain't enough for me

[Heavenly]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

peacenik;536942 wrote: one is too many and a thousand ain't enough for me

Unfortunately I am the same as you Peacenik ...

[Boss.man]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

gke I've found the more I try to "cut down" the less control I have. Before I started, it wasn't a big deal to have just a single glass of wine at a party. Now that I've been "quitting" just a single glass gets my "evil angel" into overdrive, and suddenly I'm way off the deep end.

I'd highly recommend a full glass of juice or AF beer or sparkling cider or ginger ale for your function. Events in public are not a good place to "test" a system that's barely built. At least that's what I've found for myself.

[IAD]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

Social drinking is for those that don't have a problem with Alcohol ! IAD.

[A Work in Progress]

OK so what is the consensus on... social drinking?

Whoa.... your counselor is impressed because you can go 12-16 hours without alcohol???? And based on this, he thinks you are a good candidate for controlled drinking? I am amazed. I got drunk nearly every day for years, and also went 12 or so hours without alcohol every day while I was passed out, and while I was at work. This (12-19 hours without drinking) is NOT an indicator that a person does not have a very serious drinking problem!!!