How bad is it to drink Vodka once a week?

[Kenai]

When I get home from work a vodka and orange does the trick, pint glass with ice, half vodka and half orange. Having been drinking it for years now those measures allow me to actually taste the vodka.

It's ritualistic I guess. As unhealthy as my other habits, but more frowned upon for some reason. But I don't drink to get blotto, nor do I get drunk on the amount I drink each night, for me it's just a way of unwinding and shedding the stresses and strains of the day.

I would say a ritualistic need to sink nearly half a pint of vodka every day after work to 'unwind' is pretty much a dictionary definition of alcoholism. :/

(Just as it would be for people who feel the need to have a few pints every day after work, or a large glass of wine etc.)

 

[Deleted User 234324]

If your worried about the possible long term health effects of drinking.. simplez.

Don't drink.

 

[Will21st]

I'v been drinking 75% of one of these once a week on a Friday or Saturday before I go out.

I find I spend about £12 and I'm fine for the rest of the night. Just by a beer so I have something to hold etc...

However its been about one year I'v been doing this and starting to think, I hope I am not causing my self harm.

I'm only drinking once a week, and only 75% of the bottle.

Its this I' drinking, which is a £9 bottle of Vodka:

Spoiler

Is it fine for me to drink this once a week? It's not every week, but on average 3 times a month.

Well,if you're starting to wonder wether you're having a problem or not then that could be the sign of a problem developing....

The amount you're drinking doesn't really matter,it's all about the habit. Making it a habit to drink what you're drinking on a weekly basis is not a good idea,imo.
The question is,do you feel you have to have the booze before you go out? Or could you do without?
Regarding your body I wouldn't be worried just yet,it can take a lot of abuse,but one day it could be too late,it all accumulates...

So to sum it up you simply asking this question would indicate you are concerned about this developing habit,so maybe it's time for a break? Only you know.
I will also say what speaks against there being a problem is you being open about it.If you were a true alkie already you'd be quiet about it and get hammered!

 

[Will21st]

That amount of booze? That's not going to do any harm.

That's not really a sensible or helpful comment,is it? That amount of booze could very well do harm,not least because drinking it in a habitual manner is the road to alcoholism,or at least a serious problem.

Also,considering how many of your posts seem to revolve around drink I'd say you have a bit of a problem yourself....

 

[Zaruz]

Once a week isn't too bad. Although it wouldn't hurt to cut it down. Limit yourself to half a bottle or something, or spread it out through the week.

 

[Colbaker]

Here's a little story for you...

Every year I get blood tests because I am a fatty and the doctor is looking for either high cholesterol or diabetes but also in these tests they do liver function test, a couple of years ago my LFT's were abnormal and a fatty liver was diagnosed, the doctor said this did not come about just because I am a lard ass but is often to do with alcohol, I only ever drunk once or twice a month so was sure this had nothing to do with it, the doctor didn't believe me though.

Anyway roll on this years blood test and all my LFT results came back fine for some reason.

The only reason I can see for this is that a couple of years ago I would Binge most if not all of a bottle of vodka a couple of times a month, I have not done that at all this year, it seems as if the binge drinking was causing my fatty liver and abnormal Liver Function Test results (doc agrees).

Oh and in case your interested my blood sugar is very good and my cholesterol is low so not all obese people have clogged arteries and border line diabetes.

 

[Xordium]

Pay for private hepatic and renal function tests then you will have a definitive answer. Simples. Anything is else is pure conjecture as already highlighted the daily recommendations for alcohol are not reliable. For what it's worth I did that amount, in times gone by, more like 3-4 times a week for a good many years and I've got no long term damage.

 

[Theophany]

For what it's worth I did that amount, in times gone by, more like 3-4 times a week for a good many years and I've got no long term damage.

Did you consider yourself an alcoholic for consuming those amounts?

 

[Xordium]

Did you consider yourself an alcoholic for consuming those amounts?

No more than all the other students.

 

[Theophany]

No more than all the other students.

Ha, good answer.

 

[wannabedamned]

Ah student life. I used to be drunk 4 days out of 7

Saying that, Drinking 75% of a bottle of vodka is bad for you. No way your liver can cope with that. Its better to drink over the course of an evening, slowly. Rather than taking high % spirits in quickly.

Although.... I've done it, did it for a good portion of my youth

 

[Ahleckz]

Castiel, I just wrote out a reply to you but it's not really adding anything.

Though, the one thing that I will say is that it was wrong of you to assume that my LFTs had anything to do with my drinking which they clearly don't. Perhaps you should learn from that and not make assumptions about the OPs reasons for drinking and the way that he is doing it?

That's not really a sensible or helpful comment,is it? That amount of booze could very well do harm,not least because drinking it in a habitual manner is the road to alcoholism,or at least a serious problem.

Also,considering how many of your posts seem to revolve around drink I'd say you have a bit of a problem yourself....

My alcohol intake has actually come down quite a lot recently, I post a lot about alcohol but a lot of those posts are usually about rare and unusual beers which people are interested in. I certainly don't post like RadoX about how he's "steamboats" and that sort of thing.

I'm intrigued as to which of my posts suggest that I have a problem. I enjoy alcohol, I enjoy learning about, I enjoy trying new alcohols, I enjoy making alcohol. I have a perfectly good relationship with alcohol and I'm certainly not waking up at 9am and reaching for the can of Super.

 

[Nitefly]

I'm intrigued as to which of my posts suggest that I have a problem. I enjoy alcohol, I enjoy learning about, I enjoy trying new alcohols, I enjoy making alcohol. I have a perfectly good relationship with alcohol and I'm certainly not waking up at 9am and reaching for the can of Super.

If anything your obsession with alcohol is unhealthy!

 

[badcompany]

if your worried don't do it? Otherwise carry on and stop when you are worried?

simples.

 

[Castiel]

Castiel, I just wrote out a reply to you but it's not really adding anything.

Though, the one thing that I will say is that it was wrong of you to assume that my LFTs had anything to do with my drinking which they clearly don't. Perhaps you should learn from that and not make assumptions about the OPs reasons for drinking and the way that he is doing it?

Pfft...we operate on the information supplied, and you gave no indication that your LFTs were anything other than in the context of your habitual binge drinking. When other information became apparent I updated my opinon accordingly.....given the drug regime you are on and what someone else on a similar regimen has said I still think that you are trying to justify your own relationship with alcohol which the more I learn about your drinking habits (others seem to think obsession) the more I find justification in that assumption.

As far as the OP, you told him it was perfectly fine, you made assumptions as regards his reasons and habits yourself.....if you actually read what I said directly to him initially it was to offer a simple questionaire so he could judge for himself given that he was concerned enough to ask others......you decided that as long as he functioning he is ok and has nothing to worry about. (Having a job, friends and enjoying yourself isnt really evidence that there isnt any long term potential issue with alcohol consumption, many alcoholics are high functioning and lead perfectly normal lives and you do not need to be an alcoholic to be doing damage to your health with alcohol anyway).

The more you post the more it seems to me that this is more about you and justifying your relationship with alcohol than my advice to the OP. I am sure that you will disagree and give a range of justifications to support your argument and drinking habits and to be clear I don't know you or your lifestyle to give an objective definitive position, but the bottom line is that excessive alcohol consumption and particularly binge consumption can have a negative impact on your life and the lives of others around you...maybe not you personally, but the OP isn't you (or me) and so some general advice on recommended alcohol consumption and a quick questionaire, as well as some general advice on looking at the reasons behind his drinking habits is not a bad thing....

Anyway, I never intended on getting into a big old discussion on people's drinking habits, as I said a few times my habits are not exactly healthy (although I recognise that fact) so I'm in no position to judge you or anyone else. I'm out and going to have a few beers while watching the footie..

 

[Ahleckz]

I'm not justifying my relationship with alcohol. I drink a lot, I've always admitted this. I'm more than aware of the dangers of alcohol and I've weighed them up against the benefits for me and decided that for the time being I'm perfectly happy with my relationship with alcohol.

Pretty sure Nitefly meant my interest with alcohol was obsessive, rather than my drinking habits. But go on, you've already made one totally incorrect assumption about me why don't you keep on going? As I said I post a lot about alcohol but the majority of those threads aren't mentioning my drinking habits. And, I guarantee I drink a hell of lot less than a lot of the students on here.

I suppose there's an interesting debate in wondering if there's a problem being a high functioning alcoholic. I think if you're happy with your decision and you are leading the life that you want to and aren't hurting anyone then does it matter that the guy drinks a bottle of wine for breakfast? Mmmm.

As I think I said last night, as did Mag, we are both telling the OP to do pretty much the same thing. You moved this on to be all about how you saw my drinking habits and I'm just responding to those points.

 

[malfunkshun]

Don't do it for a few weeks and how you get on.

 

[Will21st]

Castiel, I just wrote out a reply to you but it's not really adding anything.

Though, the one thing that I will say is that it was wrong of you to assume that my LFTs had anything to do with my drinking which they clearly don't. Perhaps you should learn from that and not make assumptions about the OPs reasons for drinking and the way that he is doing it?



My alcohol intake has actually come down quite a lot recently, I post a lot about alcohol but a lot of those posts are usually about rare and unusual beers which people are interested in. I certainly don't post like RadoX about how he's "steamboats" and that sort of thing.

I'm intrigued as to which of my posts suggest that I have a problem. I enjoy alcohol, I enjoy learning about, I enjoy trying new alcohols, I enjoy making alcohol. I have a perfectly good relationship with alcohol and I'm certainly not waking up at 9am and reaching for the can of Super.

Well,just from the amount of posts about alcohol and the way you post about it suggests to me that you have a problem or are at the very least on the Road to developing one. A rather large percentage of your posts seem to revolve around booze. Also,you don't need to be going for the can of Super at 9am to be an alcoholic.Far from it. Many alcoholics are functioning perfectly fine despite their problem.My impression is you are obsessed about drink. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[opethdisciple]

How long is a piece of string??

Depends on so many factors, age, sex, ability to process alcohol, reasons for using.

It's certainly no health tonic and an addictive drug for some people. But I have seen and experienced people drinking way, way more than this and although their still alive, drinking has caused them many health and social issues and have heard of quite a few horror stories of very unpleasant deaths.

The problem is really your propensity to get addicted and it sounds like your "using it" for confidence rather than "enjoying it". This is where it can start becoming a problem for some.

It produces GABA a calming neurotransmitter in your brain. Your brain likes to stay in balance and will start slowing it's own production of GABA to compensate - you'll then start developing tolerance and need more alcohol to reach the same "buzz".

As others have said if you are sufficiently concerned see a doctor and ask for a Liver Function Test. If your liver has been taking a battering then lay off the juice and your liver should regenerate itself.

Informative post. Yes, I do drink it for confidence around woman.

But through practice I am getting better at that, even when I'm not on the 'juice'. Practice makes better as they say...

 

[Energize]

I don't see it doing any harm in itself. Assuming a concentration of 40% ABV then it's 105ml of alcohol, that's about within reason over the course of the night as an infrequent thing.

I drink ~3 70cl bottles of vodka a week. Doesn't make a person an alcoholic

Does cause cirrhosis of the liver and brain damage though.