Drinking alone

[BUNNY]

I read that drinking alone is one of the signs that indicates possible alcoholism.Now,I live on my own and quite often enjoy a glass or too of red wine in the evening.This is something I also used to do when I was married however then my husband would sometimes have a glass too.Does the fact that he is no longer sitting on the sofa beside me make any difference to the significance of my drinking?!

[FP]

I often drink alone and have wondered the same things as you.  However, it's only a couple of red wines at the most and only in the evenings.  It makes me feel relaxed.

 

Oh, and If I am stressed out when I get home from work I sometimes pour myself a large glass of port before tackling any chores.

 

I never feel like drinking during the day when I am on my own.

[FP]

I think we're OK Bunny, let's not worry and keep enjoying our wine!

[2nd row]

red wine, of course in moderation, is good for you, and no one would ever want to take that away from you, .. sorry about the loss of your husband, and to now to be sitting alone upon that sofa, perhaps then, remembering all the good, happy times, those wonderful memories, then the boredom, the lonelieness alone will put you on a downer ! so you must not reach out for that extra glass or bottle... not alone anyway, do not rely on any drink to help you sleep, family ? friends? people to see and visit ? places to go ?  have that glass of wine , help you relax, after that days work/household chores,  or even before, but remember that there are other things to be done,,,, leave that sofa ! make plans for the night ahead , and while you'r e  getting ready/ dressed/ prepared or whatever, have that glass of wine..... get up ,get out, enjoy yourself, get drunk even, one good night out is perhaps what you do need right now ....

[Frankie Babe]

Depends on your reasons for drinking but if its just a glass of wine or two that can actually be quite good for you.  Unless it's a pint glass.  Or you're doing it at breakfast.

 

Getting drunk on your own would be something to be worried about.

[woofgang]

Yes they do say that about drinking alone. I think what "they" are on about is secret drinking, where the bottle is hidden away and the act of drinking is denied eg if you were having a glass of wine and a friend popped round, would you offer them a glass too or hide the glass and bottle and pretend that you weren't drinking?

Mr Woofgang has had times in his career when he has travelled a lot and when he is not here and I fancy a drink, I have one. If I'm on my own and fancy a cider or glass of wine with my lunch I have one if I'm not going to be driving.

alcoholism is never a surprise to the alcoholic, they know about their dependency, although they may choose to deny it.

[el duerino]

i get drunk on my own. I like being drunk sometimes. do i have a problem? no. if i develop a dependancy, then I have a problem.

[IM A GENIUS]

I often go to the pub down the road for a pint alone. I find it quite relaxing and it gives u time to think and reflect on ur day or week or whatever. Almost every time i go in though i either speak to somebody i have had a drink with in the past or i ingage in conversation with a stranger, which almost every time has some interesting things to say. I go in the pub on average 3/4 times a week and have at least 3 pints minimum and 10 max. I dont think i have a problem, i just like socialising.

[BUNNY]

2ndrow,I appreciate your point but I'm not sitting pinning for my previous life.My husband gladly left years ago and if I was drinking anything due to him leaving believe me it would be champagne not wine!!!

[unnamed]

I live alone and drink when I feel like it. Not because i'm lonely, bored etc but because I like a glass of wine occasionaly, exactly the same as when I had flat mates and drank with them. I think you mean well 2nd row but not all people drink alone for the reasons you named.

[2nd row]

 bunny,sorry but i think that you had just lost your husband, sitting there on that sofa with you ,having, enjoying that glass of wine together, now you sound as though youre happy to  be rid of him ? F******^�$" go out an' get p*&^%^$� every night then ! whatever chains held you down are now gone ! celebrate , be it with wine, beer, or champagne ! i'll come with you ! have a laugh an' giggle..... and no, unnamed, i agree with you, people do not drink alone for them reasons only,i do it myself, just like you, but its when you rely on that drink, when you start talking to that bottle, and when that bottle starts talking back to you !! you've got trouble ahead !    right Bunny, wheres it to be tonight then ?  enjoy yourself  .

[tartanwiz]

I hate drinking in pubs. The prices are way overpriced when you can buy a can for less than half the cost of a pint in a pub. Also, in my local pub the regulars are all nosy, looking at you as if you had just stepped out of a flying saucer and asking questions all about you, or making jokes with their companions about what you look like or what you're wearing. Give me a drink in the privacy of my own home anytime!

[smudge]

LOL tartanwiz!

[2nd row]

 dont want to hog bunny 's question, forgive me please,,,, but in reply to Tartanwiz, certainly agree all what you say, especially the prices sometimes charged, but these ' takeouts ' or is called ' carryouts ' ? have always been a regular thing in Scotland and i know Northern Ireland  for many, many years..... in fact more people here in Wales are doing the same thing, nothing like having some mates around, lots of cans, and curry an rice, and watch the International game  in the peace ??? !! and quiet ??!!! of your own front room , love it !

[Octavius]

BUNNY - depends whether you do it every night.  I don't think you are verging on alcoholism though - my sister is an alcoholic.  I occassionally have the odd beer when I am in alone (moderate drinking), but I prefer to consider having a drink a social thing where you can chat over a drink etc.

[slimfandango]

How many alcoholics (and there are loads of them), when they started entering dependency, went 'oh my god, i'm getting dependent, better stop'. Well, it was too late by then. Alcohol is brilliant, it dulls pain and makes you feel good, but becoming dependent is just too easy (if you're jewish or chinese, a little harder). I set up a barrier for myself to stop this happening, and that barrier is drinking alone. I have a friend whos barrier is 'no spirits'. Non-spirit social drinkers do become alcoholics, but this way you have a fighting chance. Alcoholism AIN'T good....:-(

[slimfandango]

LOL, I just read the pub angle on this. Personally, I don't drink in pubs at the moment because of my dependency: I'm a nicotine addict. I won't smoke anywhere, but get me in a pub...I just cannot not smoke. I guess I associate the pub with it, and I know that alcohol does trigger the dependency. I could drink elsewhere and have a much better chance of not having smokers around me.

[Bangkok]

I drink red wine at home regularly, but I don't think I am an alcoholic.  I think the drinking alone / alcoholic issue is based on the legacy of the Victorians and the dangers of solo pleasures.   Maybe a better test would be ask 'do you habitually understate your drinking?', other than to insurance companies and your GP. 

[slimfandango]

"other than to insurance companies and your GP". ROFL at them meeting I had with my GP: "now look at this chart, where would you say you fall?" 20 UNITS A WEEEEEEK?? 20 units a night!

[zgma]

Nah, you'd know if you have a problem.  Sounds like you know that you don't.  If you start to feel weird about how much you drink, cut back a little.  Whether you have a glass of wine alone or with other people doesn't make that much difference.  I often have a glass of wine when I'm alone - since I am a mom, I don't get to be alone that often, and sometimes I just want to revel in it!

[BUNNY]

2nd row,your offer is very tempting indeed!!