Drinking alone ...

But, Gabriella, lots of people did drink in the past- but it was mostly men, who could escape to the pub while their wives looked after the children cooked for them, and did all the other household work. And I remember a lot of my mother’s friends talking about women who had “trouble with their nerves”, and were on medication. Perhaps a glass of wine or beer in the evenings, with their husbands, would have made them less “nervous.” And nowadays it’s rare that women don’t do two jobs, at home and away, and recent reports have shown that even women working full- time outside the home still do the lion’s share of housework, cooking etc. Besides, a glass of wine or beer is a nice accompaniment to a meal. I agree with KatyK, I drink because I like it!

I think that moderation is the key, as with all things.
If you enjoy a glass or two of something sometimes, that's absolutely fine. If you prefer no alcohol at all, that's also absolutely fine.
The problem arises when it becomes a case of feeling you need a drink, and that need arises more and more. If you recognise that that is what is happening, then it's time to take stock and re-evaluate what you are doing, because then it's becoming a problem and might be being used as a bandage for something else going on. An occasional drink, though, if you enjoy alcohol, and it's safe to do so (i.e. won't interfere with medication, or if you don't need to drive anywhere), then why not?

I agree Beckett. Each to their own, whatever floats your boat etc. I remember the actor Richard Harris saying, after he was advised to give up drinking which he did, 'the world without drink is a very boring place'. Of course his drinking was excessive.

I don't drink much alcohol. An odd glass of Damson Gin or a small bottle of Peroni beer which I really like.
Hubby stopped drinking a good few years ago but , not that he ever drank much anyway.

My husband's health problems mean he no longer drinks. It tastes like tin, he says, no matter how expensive the bottle. I now find I don't have any pleasure in a glass of wine unless we are with others then I thoroughly enjoy it
He goes to bed very early and I often wish that I felt like a nice chilled glass but it just doesn't work.
However we are going to my son's house tonight and I am looking forward to a convivial evening...???....???

Well Gabriella you clearly don't drink because you have such a sunny disposition, don't you

Thanks Blue ! We were there supporting Tigers! It was enough to make us turn to the bottle when we got home ?

I have a small glass of Guiness with my lunch, third of a bottle, and small glass of red wine with my evening meal. Sixth of a bottle.
When my husband was in hospital in France some years ago he was served red wine with the evening meal. I spoke to ,the dietitian and she said it was good for you but not white wine.

If people need wine or a G&T to wind down after 'a hard day at work, I wonder how our mothers and grans coped

Three guesses - and that was without a hard day at work!

Although in my Gran's case it would have been a large sherry!

With regard to previous generations not drinking so much wasn't gin referred to as 'mothers ruin' at one time?

I seem to remember Milk Stout being bought for an elderly Aunt , no idea what it is/was

Granny had a dram of single malt in the evening, Mother, a sherry.

Just wondering where I fit into the drinking alone theme. DH is clearing out papers in one room, I am doing a jigsaw in another room. Both enjoying a glass of wine before preparing dinner. Does this constitute as drinking alone??

My Gran loved a tipple and always had a sherry before dinner and a slug of scotch in her coffee every day and she was alone. Oh and the odd brandy to 'keep out the cold'. When my Sister got married, I had to run over the road in my bridesmaid dress to drag Gran and her Sister out of the pub, where they were enjoying a Mackeson in the snug, so they could be in the family photos! Gran was always happy and lived well into her 90s in her own home! I must take after her, as I'm well into a bottle of red right now and no sign of hubby. (bliss)

Whenever my MIL made me a cup of tea or coffee, she would insist on putting a drop of whisky in it. It ruined it for me as I hate whisky.

Perhaps I should've said Im very happily married! Just alone for the next few hours!

KatyK I agree! Coffee is revolting with whisky in!

Probably not as he is upstairs. Why is it bothering you? I don't know why people make such a big thing about alcohol. I don't touch it.

Beckett
I didn't and don't have a philosophy of complete abstinence.
I've had my drinking days before I married but not wine and only when out with friends. Not as a bolster or to 'wind down after a hard day/week at work' nor as aid to relax.
During my first pregnancy I, of course, didn't drink and I just never bothered with alcohol again. It adds nothing to my life.
I'm not bothered what anyone else does but I certainly wouldn't accept a lift from anyone who'd had a drink.
None of my friends drink when they're driving even when meeting for lunch.
I was remarking on the way it's become an accepted routine and, for some, an I responsible wsybto wind down after a hectic week...or just because you feel like blurring the edges a bit, which is, in essence, what alcohol does to varying degrees.

So, a G&T before dinner and two glasses of wine with the meal would definitely render you unfit to drive and your edges would definitely be somewhat blurred...unless you're a regular imbibed. In that case it might take more to have a dulling effect.
The trouble is, that having a couple of drinks makes you less able to recognise your own capabilities.
It matters not what I think regarding alcohol. You have your views and that's good. I'm not against it except when someone drives after drinking.
Then, I'd have no compunction about saying something.
Bottoms up

* should read: an indispensable way to wind down...

DH and I always enjoyed a glass or two of wine at the weekend but after he died I couldn't face drinking alone. And then, one Friday evening, I opened a bottle, on my own, for the first time, feeling mighty guilty. 'Well' I said to myself, 'This is how it starts, and how it ends is on a park bench with my belongings in a carrier bag'. Five years on and I have a glass or two most weekend evenings, being very mindful of the need to stay upright and not fall up the stairs. So no park bench.....

I am not a driver but no one I know would ever drink and drive.

Gabriella No-one on here has advocated drinking and driving - I never do. What was being discussed was whether being at home alone and having a drink is a bad thing and the general consensus is that as long as it is done in moderation, then no it isn't

Friday is my no- cooking day off and we eat out with my 3 g-children if they want to join. I have 1 or 2 glasses of rosé wine depending on how it affects me otherwise I might have to plan my route out of restaurant so as to be able to walk out with decorum. Lightweight or what! And then, rather than enjoy the nice , mellow alcohol induced mood a little longer I can’t wait to get to my bed and SLEEP.

I am drinking alone on a Saturday night and it suits me just fine.

DH and I always enjoyed a glass of wine at 6pm. After he died I felt very guilty if I had a drink on my own. Now, after nearly four years on my own, I have a glass or two or three if I feel like it. The dog is always with me, so I’m not really drinking alone.