Gransnet forums

Chat

Drinking alone ...

(121 Posts)
Carolina55 Fri 22-Mar-19 21:51:29

Never done it..... started with friends in the pub/party, wherever, and it’s always been a social thing for me, something I’ve only done in company. Simply doesn’t occur to me to open a bottle unless there’s some one to share it.

But tonight we’ve come back from the quiz and I was driving so not drinking (another rule) and the football is on and I’ve poured a vodka tonic and England are winning and he’s decided they’re fine and buggered off to bed! So ..... am I drinking alone......? Feels strange!

crazyH Sat 23-Mar-19 10:10:47

Alcoholics in my family ....I can see that gene in me. But I never drink alone...that's a nonstarter. Don't go down that road Carolina. Having said that, you have your husband there, you started the drink with him and he then went up to bed. In my book, that's ok.

NannyG123 Sat 23-Mar-19 10:14:56

I often have a glass of wine on a Saturday night whilst watching tv.

Willow10 Sat 23-Mar-19 10:14:58

I enjoy the occasional coffee flavoured Bailey's some evenings (when I remember). I never open a bottle of wine by myself, it doesn't taste the same the next day and I don't like to waste it! But mostly I rarely think about having an alcoholic drink at all. As I have to drive myself everywhere I can't even enjoy a tipple with friends. In fact I'm usually the taxi for everyone else! I do miss those summer evenings in the garden, enjoying a glass of wine with family and friends.

Theoddbird Sat 23-Mar-19 10:21:13

A glass of something when I get home from work. Why not?

jocork Sat 23-Mar-19 10:21:18

I've lived alone since my youngest left for university. I made the decision not to drink alone but recently I've broken my own rule a few times. The fact that DS and DIL bought me a bottle of very nice damson gin for Christmas hasn't helped and I've finished off the odd bottle started with friends. Agree with Colverson that the danger is drinking alone when feeling down or if it becomes a daily habit. I often add a drop of rum to a cup of decent coffee but that's for the flavour not the alcohol so it doesn't count! [Hmm]

Craftycat Sat 23-Mar-19 10:27:37

My DH worked mainly abroad for a few years & I got used to having a drink by myself if I fancied one. Usually a couple of glasses of wine some evenings- maybe twice or 3 times a week. We used to share a bottle every Friday, Sat & Sunday night when he was home so I just continued doing that although I only had half the bottle or a large G&T & carried the rest over.
I don't see a problem. I have never been at all worried that I was drinking too much.
Now he works in UK we still drink 3 nights a week- maybe occasionally an odd extra bottle mid week if it has been a hard day.

sylviann Sat 23-Mar-19 10:28:32

I don't partake of alcohol it doesn't like me but as long as you know when enough enough go ahead and do it

omega1 Sat 23-Mar-19 10:29:43

I never drink as I don't feel the need to and I have seen so many people ruin their lives by drinking. Drinking alone isn't a good idea as you could start drinking more and more.

BusterTank Sat 23-Mar-19 10:33:50

Don't fall into that trap . my mother in law started like . Now its any excuse to have a drink . we pop round at 2 in the afternoon and there she is with a glass of wine . Making excuses that she had been doing the garden and she was tired , so she thought she have a glass wine . Sometimes she rings at 5pm has pissed as a fart slurring her words and she thinks we don't know she has had a drink . My husband popped in one lunch time and there she was with a glass , which he thought was lemonade . Until she left the room and my husband smelt and tasted it , it was vodka . When confronted over it , she said if I can't have a drink at my age , when can I have drink . She doesn't realise she is becoming an embarrassment . Family have stopped wanting her at family occasions and she spouts so much rubbish when she's had a drink , but she believes every word she saying . What ever you , please don't end like this .

Witzend Sat 23-Mar-19 10:33:51

Dh used to have a large glass of red every night, but cut it out when trying (successfully) to lose a bit of weight. So now he only really drinks when out/in company, or we have guests.

I nearly always have a smallish glass of something every night while I'm cooking. Doesn't bother me a bit that I'm on my own in the kitchen. (Dh always clear up the kitchen BTW - fair division of labour.)

breeze Sat 23-Mar-19 10:35:52

Mmm isch o..o.. er isch alwight hic, dinking lone hic

Nuffin wong that

Na probs hic

Sod it hic run out

Sits 10 clock or summink

They open yet hic

grin
wine

CassieJ Sat 23-Mar-19 10:37:04

I enjoy a glass or two of wine at the weekend after a hard week at work. I drink alone as I am single and have done for years. I can't see why drinking on your own at home is the start of becoming an alcoholic? It's no different to going to a pub with friends and drinking lots of glasses of wine or beer.

Why is it more acceptable to drink with others than on your own?

rockgran Sat 23-Mar-19 10:37:10

I don't drink now but when I did I made it a rule to drink only when I was happy. If I was unhappy I made a cup of tea. I think you have to beware of drowning your sorrows alone.

sunshinebear Sat 23-Mar-19 10:37:42

For all my craziness I will buy now miniature bottles of wine so I can enjoy peace and quite and have a glass or two without getting too sloshed go ahead Yolo

Trewdie Sat 23-Mar-19 10:41:02

Oh Bailey's my granddaughter (who is 18yrs) and I share a glass every now and then

breeze Sat 23-Mar-19 10:43:44

I'm sober really.

As others have said, drinking alone is fine if you live alone and enjoy the odd relaxing glass or two. Big difference if it's alcoholism which is a whole other issue. That can be destructive of course.

I am trying not to drink too much right now as I have a lot of weight to lose after illness. But usually I enjoy it and if I lived alone I wouldn't feel bad about enjoying some wine or gin and tonics.

Tweedle24 Sat 23-Mar-19 10:44:53

Like crazy H, I have alcoholism in the family and have a real phobia about drinking alone. My friends find it very amusing. Last week after a particularly stressful day, I did drink a G&T before I went to bed. The sky did not fall in, I did not finish the bottle and end up collapsed on the floor nor did I run out into the garden singing, with an empty bottle in my hand! I did feel very naughty and daring. Maybe I shall do it again next year? ?

knspol Sat 23-Mar-19 10:45:20

Go DanniRae GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

kittylester Sat 23-Mar-19 10:46:54

danni, you need to start swearing as well!!

Pythagorus Sat 23-Mar-19 11:03:33

Goodness gracious! I can’t think of anyone I would rather enjoy a lovely glass of wine with other than ME!

I usually have a glass with my evening meal, or beforehand with a few peanuts!

If I drink with others I tend to have two glasses or occasionally three! But on my own I usually have only one.

And I use my best glasses!

Life is short! Enjoy it!

Charleygirl5 Sat 23-Mar-19 11:04:46

I never drink and drive, I live on my own and around once a fortnight I open a bottle of wine which will last me over 3 evenings. I only have wine with a meal- I never ever gave it a thought that I was drinking on my own. I am usually watching TV at the same time. I never touch spirits because I do not like them. I will not be changing any time soon.

Carolina55 Sat 23-Mar-19 11:09:57

Oh ladies you have made me laugh with your witty responses (especially you Breeze) and of course all my single friends mock my ‘not drinking alone’ stance and some even the ‘no drink drive’ rule I’ve always stuck with.

I do appreciate that having a glass of wine with a meal or a refreshing cava on a sunny afternoon in the garden is not the end of the world and if I lived alone I’d be doing the same - it just felt a little odd last night!

BlueSapphire Sat 23-Mar-19 11:20:55

As I said above, I have a small sherry and a glass of wine every evening, but I never drink before 6pm (unless I am out for lunch with friends or family). In fact I drink less now than when DH was alive. My sister stopped drinking completely when her DH died; she was afraid that once she started drinking on her own she wouldn't know when to stop.

Abigailmckd Sat 23-Mar-19 11:21:51

I sometimes have a glass of wine and I enjoy it.alone or with my partner there doesn't matter as it's the enjoyment that counts.if your stressed out that's different it unfortunately can become a crutch.

gerry86 Sat 23-Mar-19 11:22:07

Perhaps we should have a Gransnet set time for a drink then we wouldn't be drinking alone.