First new thread posted!

My good mate and I have been criticised by our GF's recently for the amount we drink:

Generally 4 cans of lager per night with some wine and poss whiskey and then 8 cans each night at the weekend.

Now, neither of us are collapsing at the end of the night and its usually staggered over a whole evening but the GF's think that we both have a problem in wanting to drink most nights?

Obviously this is WELL in excess of the govt guidelines but neither of us feel we have a problem

Interested to hear what other peoples experiences are / take on the situation.

Yes, you do have a problem ! If your girlfriend thinks you have a problem, then she's right.
Do you really have to drink every day ? It is not because you are not collapsing that you might not be alcohol dependent.

Is there a reason you drink so much beer each night? Doesn't it get boring?
I love a beer when I get in from work, but to have four cans every night would get in the way of enjoying my evening meal/ whatever I was doing that evening.

Are you drinking out of boredom?

How old are you? I used to drink like that when I was young but only for a couple of years and mostly because I was out every night.

It is a lot to drink and just because you're not pissed doesn't mean you aren't dependent. Do you feel you could stop drinking at any time?

Thanks for the honest and sensible replies.

I'm in my thirties and I would say that I drink more out of habit rather than boredom i.e. I'll have a beer when I'm on the PS3 / watching TV / surfing net.

However, your responses are interesting and I guess that yes, I could cut back my drinking.

I think I shall propose to my friend that we have a "let's not drink during the week" policy to keep our lovers and more importantly, our livers happy!

Forgot to mention that the really ironic thing is that my mate works for the NHS Drug and Alcohol Addiction Service....

Just because you don't get drunk easily after so many doesn't mean all that alcohol isn't doing something to the inside of your body.

I'm not getting at anyone here, but I don't understand how people can drink so much of anything in one night, I can manage 2 glasses of whatever and feel full up of liquid... 8 cans in one night, don't you go to the loo a lot!

I'd say that drinking such an amount isn't a problem now if it isn't affecting your daily life. It could have a negative impact on your health in the future, there's information out there so if your worried do some research and drink an amount you feel would be more appropriate. Also if your girlfriend comments on it then you may be in for problems later if you keep it up, but that an issue to be resolved between the two of you!

get a blood test, it does sound like an awful lot of booze!

You might think your fine with it but your body is taking an awful lot of battering. I recently lost an uncle who thought what he drank was fine, he didn't know he had liver damage until it was too late.
Like Jemima69 says, get a blood test done & also speak to your GP about it.

I would think you have a problem because you are way over the recommended limits. have your liver checked by your doctor and that will determine what state of health you're in.

Hi My brother drank the same amount as the OP, every night at the pub on the way home from work for a few....then wine with his tea. Weekends consisted of a rugby game followed by at least 8 pints .HE has recently Died of liver failure aged 39 . It may not sound like alot of drink, however before you know it you have been doing it for 20 years like my dear bro and it has taken u over. It really isnt a nice way to go either. Reign it in OP........

If it's a habit why not have some cans of a diet drink in the fridge to substitute? Or some bottled water or something.

My friend is addicted to take away coffee because of the paper cup in hand feeling!

The recommended limits are made up though, the Government's advisers have even admitted that!

After reading the sad post where poster's brother had died due to liver failure has shook me up good and proper.

I'm quitting for good.

Really.

My mate says that I should just cut down but you know what, I can't because if I could, I wouldnt be drinking the ridiculous amounts that I do now.

And by being sober, I get to live a bit longer which is more appealing than the other option.

Thanks for all your posts - nice to find a forum where people are mature!

Don't give up drinking, you obviously enjoy it a lot, just cut down.

If you have a problem you'll know, you will feel it physically.

I think your idea of cutting it down during the week sounds good, as long as you don't go crazy at the weekend. I'm also sorry to hear about your brother emmgem.

Hi TommyGavin76

Fair point but the reality is that I know in my heart of hearts that I can't cut down and that by being sober, I can enjoy a whole heap of other things a lot more.

My GF asked me if I was an alcoholic.

She may well have a point.

But you know what, I aint going to be down about it - life is for living and I'm going to start living it in a different way

That's a fantastic attitude, I think ! Good luck ! And I know from experience it can be very hard.

Not really, the Liver often cannot signal when it is damaged as there are few nerve endings in it, then one day it just packs in.

I agree, get checked out by your GP. Also having 6 months off might not be a bad idea.

Haven't read about that. Thanks for the info.

That doesn't mean drinking 50+ units a week like the OP is safe.

To paraphrase an all-time classic Michael Heseltine Question Time performance:

"Yes."