Alcohol: How much is too much?

[SiSiSi]

How much does someone have to drink each night for them to have a drink problem?

[Digsy]

do you get the shakes when you don't drink?

[Swan_Vesta]

Just every night I'm afraid. It belies alcohol dependance, not judging mind, just saying.

[Gormenghast]

Just every night I'm afraid. It belies alcohol dependance, not judging mind, just saying.

 

What evidence is there that the Government's alcohol limit advice is correct?

[bagger]

If someone is wanting to drink every night then it suggests a problem. Especially if they find it hard or don't want to go without a drink.

[Swan_Vesta]

What evidence is there that the Government's alcohol limit advice is correct?

 

None whatsoever. It's based on an entirely arbitrary figure plucked out of thin air, however, I would suggest that drinking every night is a sign of psychological dependence.

[Sid Umpley]

as soon as you use the word "need" in a conversation about drinking.

 

phew a hard day i NEED a drink.

 

at that point. you have a problem.

 

 

same with coffee, fags, or anything else.

[Gormenghast]

None whatsoever. It's based on an entirely arbitrary figure plucked out of thin air, however, I would suggest that drinking every night is a sign of psychological dependence.

 

I know what you;re saying there, but would you think that in other countries that have a glass of wine or two with a meal, every night, rather than our seemingly binge drinking culture, that they have the same psychological dependance?

[millhouses24]

I've been trying to work out exactly the same thing I thought last week I wanted to cut down. Had one too many of those nights where you wake up and think "Right, that was good fun but I was a bit out of control and shouldn't have said or done that".

 

Wouldn't be too upset if someone said I could never drink again, but I do like it so I'm not going to cut it out completely. Not much point going to extremes - I am at no risk of being an alcoholic and do get socially nervous a lot so a glass of something helps. I don't drink when I'm stressed so that's not a problem.

 

So I've started with the recommended amount of units (2-3 for women), and the government advice to have a few days "off" a week.

 

The number of units is small to me (one big glass of wine, or two small glasses - I normally go up to three) but does seem to actually make sense (if I have that amount on an empty stomach I get far too giddy ).

 

Seems to be working so far; I've had most days dry for the last week, had three and a half glasses of wine over the weekend which is fine.

 

The government advice DOES seem to work then I know that for a typical heterosexual British bloke it probably is a lot harder (you ain't a Real Man unless you drink ten pints of Stella a night) but it seems to make sense.

[Gormenghast]

I've been trying to work out exactly the same thing I thought last week I wanted to cut down. Had one too many of those nights where you wake up and think "Right, that was good fun but I was a bit out of control and shouldn't have said or done that".

 

Wouldn't be too upset if someone said I could never drink again, but I do like it so I'm not going to cut it out completely. Not much point going to extremes - I am at no risk of being an alcoholic and do get socially nervous a lot so a glass of something helps. I don't drink when I'm stressed so that's not a problem.

 

So I've started with the recommended amount of units (2-3 for women), and the government advice to have a few days "off" a week.

 

The number of units is small to me (one big glass of wine, or two small glasses - I normally go up to three) but does seem to actually make sense (if I have that amount on an empty stomach I get far too giddy ).

 

Seems to be working so far; I've had most days dry for the last week, had three and a half glasses of wine over the weekend which is fine.

 

The government advice DOES seem to work then I know that for a typical heterosexual British bloke it probably is a lot harder (you ain't a Real Man unless you drink ten pints of Stella a night) but it seems to make sense.

 

You're probably quite right, but I've never seen any scientific evidence to back up the Government's recommendation. I just think they want us to live longer so we can pay more tax.