Elmlea wrote:

I drink far, far, far too much. I may join Elm on this crusade.

Do it!  Actually, it was some of your posts that made me think about this a bit more.  Not that you're often obviously posting with a hangover, or complaining about it or anything;  but when I spotted in the "what was the last thing you bought thread" that you were probably buying beer/cider about as regularly as I did back home it made me think about it.

It shall be done, August 1st for at least a month, as I say, got a big session I've been looking forward to for a while before that, cannae be no lightweight.

Oh, and bottle of Jim Beam on July 23rd as well oh yesh.

Surprisingly for all, I'm not a habitual one. Very sober through the week and only beer at the weekend. Mrs Reg cut me right down too. I'm amazed a lot of people have one naturally with their dinner.

I still have the odd drink now and then, though only the nice stuff.  I found the best alternative way of unwinding of an evening is either to walk the dogs (if it's nice out) or go swimming.  In fact, swimming is like a magical elixir to me these days, which relieves many ills in my life.

Elm, this has become the alcohol thread which is grrreat!! But I Think you should create an " On the wagon/Off the wagon" thread for those of us on again/ off again lushes/ lushi?

In my twenties I was a force of nature when it came to drinking - copious amounts of Guinness accompanied by whatever spirit took my fancy. Three or four nights a week was normal. It got to the point where I would put a bottle of vodka away myself before going out and I was able to get by bouncers with barely a twitch from their eyes. Neither big nor clever. I hit the vodka on the head and started to vary my spirits.

Thing is - it was always social - even the bottle of vodka before going out was in company at a friend's house. Never drank alone - it was the combo of company and alcohol I liked - and I never drank when in a bad mood.Money was a means to going out - I decided to wise up a bit mid-20s - buying a house curtailed the amount I drank a bit.

Marriage and kids came along in my early 30's. The kids really did it - totally went off it for a few years and while I missed it at first (and I mean missed the drink AND getting out) I quickly got to the point where it didn't matter any more. It was amazing waking up on a Saturday with a totally clear head.

My powers of consumption are not what they were of course - being 40-odd will do that - and a bender will take some time to recover from - but I can still do a round of Pub Golf at Christmas without making a tit of myself. However I am on a wind down - there have been a few occasions over the last 5 years when I thought I was still 25 and let it get the better of me (Havana Club rum I think it was) - but its been a couple of years since I have been truly drunk.

It's a few sociable ones once a week normally - and the occasional 2nd night in a week every couple of months. I'm genuinely not fussed about it anymore - in actual fact my wife has to push me out the door on occasions. Think I've been very lucky to be honest - like Churchill I have probably taken more out of drink than it has taken out of me.

Wine is OK but I love spirits - I have huge amounts of drink in the house - almost a collector in fact - but rarely would drink in the house unless there's a party on. Like to mix a few cocktails when company is in and and can't resist a cocktail book. Beer still equals Guinness for me and when going to somewhere like Donegal I will over indulge because it is so fecking nice in Nancy's Bar in Ardara.....

Christ. I love the ale. Irish, catholic, vulcan you see. I drink waaaay too much. Hmmm.

I drink a lot. Not as much as I did, but it's still more than most. I love alcohol. Despite having a new(ish) son, and a partner who's still in and out of hospital, I make the time for wine and beer. 

It can be done you know. 

It might be taken alone when they're in bed, it is certainly taken when they're staying at her Mum's. I currently drink about 50 units a week. I'm a devoted Dad and partner, and I honestly believe you can combine them with being a devoted drinker. Quite often I'm caring for them both at the same time. 

The only concern from the missus is the possible effect on my longevity. It's a fair and uncertain point, but I eat real well, I'm 40 but look 30, I'm a good weight and have silly amounts of energy. Eat well and drink say I. Just make sure you eat well. 

Government guidelines are stupidly ignorant of an individual's overall habits and as a result do more harm then good. 

21/14 units per week? Where the fuck do they get that from? It's pseudo science and it's fucking bollocks. No wonder people ignore it.

I've just realised that people are about 4000 times more likely to believe in astrology than they are in the recommended unit recommendations, which is both uplifting and 4000 times as depressing at the same time.

Bludgeoning astrologists to death is not a filthy habit.

Skerret wrote:

I don't think it's technically illegal either.

Surely they should see it coming and therefore avoid the beating?

Day one down under my new rules.

It involved a trip to Tesco in which I bought zero booze, a toughy as Tesco has a pretty good, cheap selection.

I did end up drinking a whole big bottle of Innocent Orange juice instead.

Baby steps.

I was out for 3 hours last night and only had two third measures of beer. Granted they were Brewdog Stouts and one was 10.4% proof and the other 15.4% but again, quality over quantity, and I didn't drink anything with my meal or after.

Funny, that's what the staff at the pub said last night.

Stop denigrating my EYES with your hack WORDS

Don't put that up your nose. The ketchup doesn't go there sir.