In May 2024 after a particularly boozy couple of weeks I finally got round to reading Adrian Chiles’ book “The Good Drinker”. I had downloaded the kindle edition a very long time before but never got around to reading it. I felt akin to Adrian, not just because he hails from the same part of the West Midlands as I do and his book describes drinking in many places of which I have my own fond memories, but because he was able to function perfectly well though copious amounts of booze and resulting hangovers.
Working in The City in financial services was equally as boozy as being in TV and Radio. Hard drinking after work (and often during) was the norm and to be accepted, as a female senior manager, you needed to be able to keep up with the boys. Now I am retired from that life, I definitely still enjoy a drink or several. Living in a hot climate, a great circle of friends who all drink, happy hours and booze cruises does not make moderation easy.
This is the last 4 weeks:
Why is it so bloody hard?! The answer is, it’s not the amount of drinks but the units therein. A 175ml glass of wine is 2.1 units and soon adds up. Many of you reading this will not think that 2-3 drinks a day is excessive but those pesky units say otherwise!
Our relationship with alcohol is often formed when we are children, what memories did our parent’s behaviour leave us with? My childhood memories are all about parties, fun, happy times and then as an adult acceptance and success. I have no desire to give up alcohol completely. I don’t often get beyond merry, and can usually avoid the last drink that is hangover inducing, but lowering my alcohol intake is definitely good for me. I sleep better, lose weight without trying and don’t suffer 2am heartburn.
There are weeks when I don’t moderate because there is just too much fun stuff going on and life is short but I am sticking at it when there is no good reason not to. What I try to do is not just drink out of habit but ask myself why am I having the drink, do I really want it? Apparently it takes 20 days to reprogrammed yourself to change a habit. I seem to be taking a bit longer……
Not Quite Settled 
Please share your thoughts and experiences.