When your GP asks how many alcoholic drinks you have in a week, they double your answer. Did you know that? I do, so I halve my answer. Joking. Kind of.
I would like to drink less. Not that I drink that much. Or do I? Compared to whom? Next to Patsy from Ab Fab I’m a teetotaler. Compared to, say, Lana, I’m … well, Patsy.
Wine is my beverage of choice. Sauvignon blanc, icy cold. I also like pinot grigio and occasionally a red wine. Champagne is lovely on special occasions. Or when it’s on special. I don’t drink beer or spirits and I never, ever drink if I’ll be driving. Not even one.
So clearly, I’m not ‘a drinker.’ Drinkers will guzzle vanilla essence and I won’t go near chardonnay.
But it’s been a big summer. We spent the holidays visiting friends and family and there was wine most nights. And some days. Problem is, we’ve been home a month and come 6 o’clock I can feel my body whispering, ‘wine time.’ My answer is invariably, ‘Why not? It’s been a busy day.’ But every day is busy, and one glass turns into two, then two into three. I’m rarely drunk but I’m not sober either and it’s not good for me, or for my family. It’s time for a break before my habit becomes a problem.
I like to think will be easy, that I won’t even notice, but there are a couple of danger zones – my sister’s birthday at a lovely restaurant, a book launch. And, holy moly, I’m just remembering this now – a school P&C meeting. Sober. Maybe I do have a problem.
febfast is a national fundraising initiative which challenges people to send their grog on holiday in February and raise money to help young Aussies overcome alcohol, drug and mental health problems. Go to www.febfast.org.au for more information.
Click here for Mamamia’s febfast fundraising page. Any donations would be much appreciated!
What’s your relationship with alcohol? Would a month off the sauce kill you?
This post is sponsored by . Comments on this post are just for this post. If you want to talk about the IDEA of sponsored posts or the choice of advertisers please click We will be reading all those comments too for feedback.
Top Comments
I posted the Febfast link to the group of friends I went to school with on Facebook with a gentle encouragement, based on the fact that I do, and have done for some time, volunteer and outreach work with children and teens affected by long-term symptoms of foetal alcohol syndromes and drug/alcohol abuse.
I'm almost nineteen and not a heavy drinker (for two reasons - I am a Christian but I also dislike the idea of being unable to control myself), but my friends are, and the first response was 'I would, but Kareela Bottle-O is selling goon for $7. That's 44 standard drinks for $7, and just under 7 drinks to the dollar.' The next response was 'Hell yes!' and the next one was 'Everyone to Kareela Bottle-O.' Firstly, I was disgusted at how disrespectful it was in the spirit of the cause. Secondly, I was disdainful that they couldn't stop themselves from drinking because of cheap alcohol. Thirdly, I was horrified that this was allowed to slip under the increased alcohol tax radar. Why is it allowed to be so cheap and accessible!? No-one I know that drinks heavily really cares what it tastes like as long as it writes them off, so you can't argue that it is marketed to adults and isn't a risk/attractive to youths with alcohol-related problems. What is this!?
All right, you've challenged me now! I don't drink, but I will take on Feb Fast in my own way - no artificial sugar, colours or flavours. Time to tackle my own crutch. Let's see how we go...