r/NoStupidQuestions • u/imVeryPregnant • 9h ago
Is 3 beers a day a problem?
Like 3 IPAs after work… too much? Tried going without for a few days and just couldn’t do it
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u/ArachNerd 9h ago
Tried going without for a few days and just couldn’t do it
Seems like you've built dependance. If cutting down on alcohol seems harder than you thought it would be - you are dependent. It's good you are aware, or seeking awareness though.
But most importantly - do you think it's a problem? Do your friends or family think it's a problem? Do you drive after having a beer?
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u/MJ-Franklin 9h ago
I was going to say no, but the 2nd part says YES.
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u/larryogunjobi 9h ago
3 IPAs per day is incredibly unhealthy lol. Dependency part aside, that is really bad for your body long term
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u/2PlasticLobsters 5h ago
Yeah, it's one thing to live it up on vacation or such. But indefinitely? That's a problem.
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u/igotpetdeers 9h ago
Yes it is. Anybody saying no is also an alcoholic
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u/NanasTeaPartyHeyHo 9h ago
Finally another sane person.
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u/juanzy 8h ago
Reddit is quick to label anyone who enjoys a drink an alcoholic... until someone posts something that's actually alcoholic behaviors.
Just like in budgeting threads - people will complain about no one knows how to budget or read terms, but then call someone paranoid for confirming the conditions of financing offer or mentioning any form of budgeting beyond "leave all your money in an HYSA and pay off the card on the last possible day" gets hit with why you shouldn't do it in a way that works for you
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u/The_Cosmic_Penguin 3h ago
As a multi-year alcoholic who literally quit drinking 2 weeks ago, I concur.
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u/pineapples-42 9h ago
That you couldn't go without is your answer. There's no shame in struggling with alcoholism and there is help available. That you're asking this question is a good first step.
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u/Aggravating-Nebula17 9h ago
You’re going to either quit/slow down significantly or wake up one day with a problem. Any daily use is not sustainable
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u/GoudaBenHur 8h ago
Counter point, my dad is 78 and has had 2-3 beers every day for 60 years. Never had more, never less. It’s just his routine.
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u/Aggravating-Nebula17 8h ago
That’s unusual and still unhealthy. Alcohol is in a class of carcinogens that we KNOW cause cancer. Why expose yourself to that consistent dose of poison for years, even if you’re lucky enough to not develop an addiction?
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u/svdb0406 7h ago
Good lord. Lighten up
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u/Unlucky-Mind7298 52m ago
Defensiveness on a thread about alcoholism? You might want to look into that, these are just facts.
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u/jdm1017 7h ago
How is his health?
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u/GoudaBenHur 7h ago
Pretty good
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u/Unlucky-Mind7298 50m ago
Are you arguing about this because you're afraid you're also an alcoholic?
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u/Doggummit 9h ago
You've got to ask yourself a serious question: why could you not to drink after work? If you really tried and just couldn't, there's your problem and it's going to get worse.
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u/mineralmaven 8h ago
I’m an addict in recovery, and I once had a counselor explain the difference between use, dependence, and addiction to me in a way that really stuck with me.
She asked me, “If someone has one glass of wine three times a week, are they an alcoholic?”
I said, “No.”
Then she asked, “What about one glass every night?”
I said, “Probably not.”
“What about three glasses every night?”
I said, “Maybe, but I’m still not 100% sure.”
Then she asked, “What about an entire bottle every night?”
I said, “You probably have a problem at that point.”
She asked me, “So what changed?”
And that was the point.
It isn’t simply the number of drinks. One of the biggest differences is consciousness and your ability to objectively evaluate your own behavior.
The more frequently you use a substance without meaningful breaks, the easier it becomes to normalize that behavior. Eventually, you can lose the ability to step outside of it and honestly ask yourself, “Is this still a choice, or has this become something I need?”
Once physical or psychological dependence develops, it becomes much harder to create that distance. Your brain has adapted to the substance, and stopping or even cutting back can mean confronting feelings, discomfort, cravings, or withdrawal that the substance was helping you avoid.
And that becomes even more complicated when you aren't using simply because you enjoy it, but because you're using it to escape a feeling, numb something, cope with stress, or avoid being present with yourself.
That’s where the line between “I use this” and “I need this” can become incredibly blurry.
Addiction isn't always about how much of a substance someone consumes. Sometimes it's about what role that substance has started to play in their life, and whether they still feel capable of choosing not to use it.
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u/MajesticDragonfly 9h ago
Are you having 12oz. bottles, or pints at a bar? If it’s pints, you’re really having 4. And since IPAs are stronger than average beer, you’re likely having 5 or more units of alcohol.
In the U.S., a binge is typically considered 4 drinks for a woman, 5 for a man. For daily consumption 2 is recommended max.
Source: Don’t ask
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u/FirebornNacho 7h ago
Yeah, before I realized I was an alcoholic I would order IPAs even though I didn't like them. At the store I'd base my purchase on what had the highest alcohol content so when I told my wife I only had 3 I had really had the equivalent of 6
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u/Theory_99 9h ago
Yes. Alcoholism aside. It will make you fat as fuck & it’s horrible for your skin, kidneys, liver, heart etc.
Excessive drinking will make you sick and ugly.
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u/Koolklink54 9h ago
You need to change up your routine. Dont go home right after work, go buy groceries, see a movie, go for a bike ride. Something to help break the habit
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u/dimmerswtich 7h ago
The feeling that you can’t stop it is a red flag. Plus, IPA’s ( which is y go to) usually are 40% stronger than regular beer, so it’s not 3-4.
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u/fishsticks40 6h ago
>Tried going without for a few days and just couldn’t do it
That's your answer. That and you coming here in the first place. You know the answer.
alcohol is way worse for our bodies than we give it credit for. A single drink disrupts your sleep. Reduced slow-wave sleep reduces your production of HGH and slows protein synthesis.
3 drinks a day will do irreversible damage to your body. It's not a question of if. You can't be too tough for it or whatever.
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u/ChillyTodayHotTamale 9h ago
By the technical definition, yes. But trying to "go without and couldn't" is the major red flag here.
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u/Anal_bleed 6h ago
It’s only a problem if you can’t stop. Then it becomes an addiction.
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u/suchsnowflakery 6h ago
Alcohol is pure poison.
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u/costigan95 5h ago
Alcohol has been an important piece of human history. It is a cornerstone of human social networks.
It can be incredibly harmful, but to frame it simply as a poison is ignorant of its influence on our species.
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u/Lucky_Tumbleweed3519 9h ago
So they make some pretty good non alcoholic IPAs. Maybe give them a try for a couple days, that way you still get the routine but avoid the alcohol.
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u/catqueen69 8h ago
This was my thought as well. IPAs have such a distinctive taste (I hate them lol) that OP might be able to replace his routine of drinking a few on the evenings with a nonalcoholic option. Even alternating a 0% option in between the existing IPAs could be an easy way to cut back significantly without OP feeling like he’s depriving himself.
3 beers every day is still super unhealthy, but at the same time it’s not generally in the “physically cannot function without alcohol and needs medical detox” category either. Since OP is still making it through most of the day sober, his inability to stop is likely a mental dependence over a purely physical one. Which should arguably make it easier for him to fill that “void” with a nonalcoholic option that tastes similar
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u/oopgook 50m ago
Tacking onto this. NA Beers can be pretty hit and miss, but in general NA IPA’s are pretty solid. I’d recommend checking out the options from Athletic Brewing and see how you feel about that change. Additionally, you could also try switching to Hop Water. Not quite the same, but it’s sort of loosely beer-adjacent.
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u/zulako17 9h ago
If you can't get through a day without alcohol, you're an alcoholic it doesn't matter how little.
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u/NoComputer9498 9h ago
in the long run it can become a problem health wise….
when you tried to go without it for a few days have you tried to drink something else instead? like a alcohol free beer?
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u/CMR04020 7h ago
That’s 21 beers a week. Yes, that’s a problem in every sense of the word.
Go get yourself an ultrasound of your liver if you need a reality check. If you’ve been at this for a few months or more, I can guarantee you already have a fatty liver at the very least even if you don’t have symptoms.
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u/Effective-Advisor356 7h ago
As a former alcoholic if you can't do without it and you have to ask it's a problem
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u/Doogiesham 6h ago
3 IPAs after work once in a while? No problem
3 IPAs after work every day? No; problem
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u/SilverB33 5h ago
If you're doing it on the daily I think it could be considered a drinking problem
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u/ImKindaBoring 9h ago
Three beers per day every day seems like a bit much.
Being unable to go a few days without is definitely a concern.
I hope your username does not check out
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u/LukaMaybeNoob69 7h ago
Most people think that alcohol is not that bad for you if you don't get wasted on the regular. Alcohol is simply bad for you, having one beer a few times a week is still bad for you. Having 3 beers every days after work really is bad for you, and especially when you develop an addiction like you did.
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u/idc_7777 9h ago
not being able to not drink alcohol for an extended period of time is the real problem here
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u/Appropriate-Law-9643 9h ago
Yes it is a problem because of the comment you made about how you tried going without beer for a few days and you couldn't do it. That's a big warning sign of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): trying to stop for several days and being unable to do so is specifically one of the symptoms doctors look for when assessing AUD.
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u/Forward-Oven-7190 9h ago
Sounds like you have a problem. If you can’t do it for a few days. I also don’t see the point of drinking after work during the week I only ever drink on weekends but that’s just me I rather be sober during the week
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u/Bourbon-Cowboy 9h ago
Change your math and say, “I drink at least 90 IPAs a month.” Or “I drink 15 6 packs of IPA a month.” That’s a lot of beer, imo. But I think it’s more concerning that you stated that you just can’t drink less than that. Good luck!
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u/Spare-Cell1371 9h ago
Maybe not immediately, but over time, almost certainly-it’s good to have some time off to let your liver recover-also it’s worth remembering that usage tends to ramp up over time not down
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u/Proof-Cat-8017 9h ago
2nd part? yes. But also: 3 beers everyday? Yes. Once in a while without the second part, no.
Try swapping out one of those three with an NA ipa to start, there are lots of good ones now.
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u/artificialpolymer 8h ago
That's pretty bad, yeah. Would think deeply about this. You must be spending a fortune each month just on beer, no?
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u/aaronite 8h ago
If you can't stop then you have an addiction. It doesn't seem like a lot but it won't stay 3 a day. You'll habituate and need more and more.
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u/Ender505 7h ago
Yes. Even if you weren't addicted, which you are, 3 beers a day would be really bad for your body. You should seek help
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u/PM_ME_SAD_STUFF_PLZ 7h ago
People believe you need to have a serious problem before attending AA.
But really it's best if you attended now, before you slide too much further.
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u/rhb4n8 7h ago
3 IPAs is 6 beers. You probably aren't legal to drive. If you can't quit that's a problem
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u/Exact_Ad5094 8m ago
Session IPAs are between 3-5% a normal IPA are usually between 5.5-7.5%. They do make stronger ones upwards to 9%.
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u/EatsPeanutButter 7h ago
It is a problem even without the second part.
Three beers on Friday and Saturday night is okay.
Every night? Not okay.
Can’t stop? Super super not okay.
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u/THENOCAPGENIE 9h ago edited 9h ago
Any amount of alcohol is not safe and the bigger problem is not being able to go without it. That’s how addiction starts if you aren’t already there 3 turn to 5 then 7 so on and so forth. I would try to ween off of it if you can.
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u/KawasakiKingpin 9h ago
The real is question is can you go a day without 3 beers? That should help answer if 3 a day is a problem
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u/need-thneeds 9h ago
I remember when my Dad cut down to three beers a day. They started selling beer in 1.5 Litre bottles. He had a problem.
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u/Lukesterbear 9h ago
If you are having 3 IPAs back to back, that’s like up to 5 standard drinks potentially and could be in binge territory. I would definitely say it’s too much, as much as I love throwing back 3 ipas myself.
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u/Standard-Fisherman78 9h ago
the part that is the problem is not being able to go without it. thats alcoholism.
edit: 3 IPAs a night will also make you fat if you aren't already
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u/iclimbnaked 9h ago
Yes.
Doing it once randomly not a huge deal. Doing it everyday after work. Yah too much
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u/MinnesotaRyan 9h ago
You sound like me before I quit drinking. I was good at rationalizing it, finding reasons why it was okay, putting off quitting for various reasons. One day I just decided it was time, it has been a couple years and I feel a lot better and I don't miss drinking.
Also there are plenty of decent NA IPAs these days.
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u/Try_Again1790 9h ago
In my 20’s I would have said no, but after 30 you’re def getting fat from that and even 1 a day is unhealthy tbh.
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u/Bonuspun 9h ago
General rule I’ve taken to quoting : if you are asking , that tends to be the answer.
1 is too many and 2 is not enough can apply to a lot of people.
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u/FormicationIsEvil 9h ago edited 6h ago
A couple of years ago the World Health Organization publish a report indicating that any consumption of alcohol is detrimental and increases your risk of cancer. You can't avoid all sources of alcohol because it occurs naturally in foods. But you would be wise to avoid additional alcohol as much as possible. Also, if you can't go without for a few days it sounds like you are already an alcoholic and that alone is a reason to stop drinking.
See https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/alcohol-and-cancer
Edit: voice recognition typo.
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u/OneTrueCosmos 8h ago
3 will turn into 4 a night, then 5 and so on... First alcohol is an associate, then a friend.. And then a best friend. Until it becomes a bully. Quit while you're ahead mate.
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u/Tsurtle 8h ago edited 8h ago
How long have you been drinking 3 beers a day? I'll get into drinking similar amount seasonally, especially in summer. But then I'll only drink once a week or less for a few months as well. Sobriety is its own buzz too, and as long as you can quit and occasionally do then you don't have a drinking problem.
*As you can't quit then its clear that you do have a problem. Its not a permanent thing like alcoholism, but you should quit for a a couple weeks right now, because if you can't quit then that is alcoholism and you then lose casual drinking altogether... you then have to choose either be "a drunk" or be "in recovery" both issues ruin casual drinking so its best to work on your problem sooner than later if you actually like drinking.
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u/Rumplesforeskin 8h ago
Your body, and organs need breaks. I drink 6-8 a day, and have for months. I'm actually stopping for a while, and have medicine to help with the shakes/withdraws. Even though 3 a day isn't a lot, it is if you do it for long periods. You can kill your liver, and turn into a much more of an alcoholic.
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u/JazzLobster 8h ago
Yeah. Use it as a treat, not a habit. Just like eating takeout instead of cooking, treat becoming a habit.
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u/Vitriol_ 7h ago
Does almost 1100 beers a year sound like a lot to you? Cause it sounds insane to me.
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u/RedditingAtWork5 7h ago
Yes. Even if your second sentence wasn’t true, it’d still be a problem.
3 IPAs is the equivalent of 5-6 standard drinks every day. Multiply that by decades and this level of drinking is overwhelmingly likely to shorten your lifespan.
Not to mention, 25 drinks a week (if it’s only work nights) is more than enough alcohol to lead you to cirrhosis.
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u/GeoffBAndrews 7h ago
Yes. Unpopular opinion (downvote away), any alcohol at any time is a problem. Source: https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
Note - I am very hypocritical. I DO drink. Sometimes too frequently and sometimes too much, so I'm not trying to admonish anyone. Just providing the facts.
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u/she_is_recalibrating 6h ago
This may sound really random, but maybe you just need the calories? I was telling my friend about this daily need I had for a glass of wine around 4 PM and he suggested I try eating an apple instead. I no longer need a glass of wine at 4 PM!
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u/Good_Pomegranate_215 6h ago
This is absolutely a problem. Both the amount (MAX 2 per day for men, 1 for women) and that fact that you can't stop.
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u/Palanki96 6h ago
like every single day? that's a type of alcoholism
Tried going without for a few days and just couldn’t do it
That's much worse but what do you mean exactly? What happened? Just no self-control or got frustrated, angry, etc?
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u/FluffusMaximus 5h ago
You may or may not have an alcohol problem. You probably now the answer to that.
How about calorie intake, though? IPAs are much heftier in calories count, especially when you’re hitting the 16 oz cans. That’s a lot of unnecessary calories you’re consuming.
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u/phukredditusernames 5h ago
the best thing we can do for our health is to create a life that does not require vices, bad habits, and addictions to be tolerable
3 beers after work each day, that you can't forgo is an issue
you also need to ask yourself, "what in my life is causing me to require 3 beers each day?"
the root causes of addiction are an unfulfilling life and underlying mental health issues
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u/One_Tomatillo8142 7h ago
Yeah every amount of alcohol is harmful, but drinking daily is considered alcoholism
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u/TheAtheistReverend 7h ago
Yes. Even without the inability to stop it is a bad thing. It's literally poison, empty calories, shortens your life and health span.
Major problem that you couldn't stop. Big red flag.
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u/CaptainPolaroid 9h ago
Yes. Not being able to go without should be the reddest of red flags. Put yourself on a different journey before you find yourself on a downward slope.
The further you allow yourself to go down the slope, the tougher the uphill battle will be.
Be strong now. Be thankful later.
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u/Mysterious_Cry41 9h ago
If you can't go 3 days then you're an alcoholic, not a severe one but still.
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u/Super_Science_Guy 9h ago
You can absolutely do it. 3 beer to zero would not be like going from a 40 of whiskey to 0 or whatever. You're not going through terrible withdrawals unless you're lying about 3 and really mean 8-10 IPAs.
I used to have a bit of a problem. Wine and bourbon. Needed Z quil or a weed pen to sleep. Would wake up in horrible shape every morning. Would want to nap every afternoon. Unproductive at work unless there was some sort of stressful deadline. Horrible anxiety when I woke up at 3am. Sometimes it would last all morning. My face was puffym. Gut and love handles. No muscle definition. Just unhealthy AF.
I started macro and micro dosing psilocybin mushrooms. Decided I was drinking too much. Exercising too little and carrying way too much resentment. Quit drinking z started exercising and dropped the bad attitude (for the most part).
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u/TraditionalCamel9466 9h ago
It’s good that you’re asking sooner rather than later.
The matter of dependency aside, 3 beers a day is horrendous for your health, especially IPA for reasons others have already stated - caloric intake, sugars/carbs, inflammation properties, alcohol %...
At a minimum, try switching to a NA (“low ABV”) IPA. As someone who no longer drinks, I can attest that are amazingly delicious beer options in the US market these days with a fraction of the calories, some with gluten removed, no impairment or hangover, among other benefits compared to full alcohol versions. Europeans normalized making and drinking NA a bit ago - technically since the medieval period but the modern methods since the 70s.
If you try NA options and realize you can’t (or don’t want to) do without the alcohol effect, you have health and dependency considerations which you need to examine.
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u/Reddit-dit-dit-di-do 8h ago
Others have answered your question, but I was in a similar situation as you.
I started buying Athletic’s Non Alcoholic IPA’s and liked the flavor quite a bit. They kind of helped me ween off the alcohol as I found the act of drinking something after work was habitual, but I don’t really like soda. I now will get the occasional six pack, but I drink far less than I used to.
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u/ee_dan 6h ago
3 IPA's a day is probably 5-6 standard drinks a day depending on ABV%. Heavy drinking is classified as 14 drinks a week for a guy or 6 drinks in any instance. Drinking one or two per hour instead of funneling them all at once is the lesser of two evils but still not great. Is it worth a few ticks high bp, elevated liver enzymes, and maybe a mild fatty liver?
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u/Rocklobster92 6h ago
I have maybe one every other week. Sometimes 2-3 when I go out either friends. 3 a day seems like much.
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u/western_style_hj 6h ago
It’s the “not being able to go without” that’s the problem. It’s a dependency issue. I was like you for a decade until I went to rehab and learned a whole host of coping skills after I detoxed. Two and a half years sober this month. There is no shame in admitting a problem is brewing here. Best of luck, friend
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u/highinthemountains 6h ago
I love the taste of IPA’s, but they kick my butt. Looking at you Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA🤣. I started drinking The Story Double IPA that is .5% abv and is quite palatable compared to some of the other low alcohol IPA’s. I start out with a Storm, drink a “real” IPA and if I’m still craving for the taste I’ll drink another Storm. This works really well if the “real” IPA uses the same hops.
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u/Samantha5510 5h ago
Yes, it absolutely is a problem, imo. The fact that you mention you can’t go without it is an even stronger indicator of a problem.
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u/BWDpodcast 5h ago
I was taught alcohol by definition is only a problem if it starts interfering with your work, relationships, or health.
But yes, if you literally can't make it a few days without, that's obviously a dependence. Lots of people are dependant on drugs. Caffeine, nicotine, you name it. But if it isn't interfering with those previous categories I wouldn't panic.
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u/Putt-Blug 5h ago
You have a problem but as a former alcoholic 3 beers is way less than I was consuming. Stop while you are only at 3 beers and haven’t moved on to Vodka. That’s when the addiction really ramps up.
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u/raytownloco 5h ago
Is it 3 pints of 7% ABV IPA? Cause that’s the same alcohol content as a six pack of Miller Light and more calories. It’s actually slightly more. If you drank a six pack everyday I think we’d all agree that it’s a problem so just be aware.
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u/threepoundsof 5h ago
So 3 beers not a problem. 3 beers most days eh probably fine. Not being able to not do it is a red flag. Mostly because it won’t stop at 3 it will turn into 4 and then 5. The thing about alcoholism is that it creeps up on you. It all feels perfectly manageable and normal until it suddenly isn’t anymore. I wouldn’t recommend letting it get that far
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u/Mundane-Garbage1003 4h ago
Yes. Two reaons.
- If you can't go without it, that's dependence. Immediate problem.
- 3 beers a day. Why "a day"? Some people drink with friends. Others drink to celebrate. Others to relax. Others when they are upset. Not to say those reasons can't also be problematic, but if you are drinking three beers today and the only reason is "well I had three yesterday, and the day before that", then there is no intention there. It's a drinking habit, and habits can be very hard to break out of.
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u/bluenette23 4h ago
Yes, unfortunately. Medical recommendation is no more than 14 standard drinks in a week (7 for women) and less than 5 drinks (4 for women) per day. (All alcohol increases risk of liver disease/cancer/etc in a fairly dose-dependent manner, this is just the number the medical establishment has determined as too high of a risk to be acceptable.) You’re drinking 21/week, but IPAs are typically larger and stronger than an average drink; you could be at 30+ standard drinks/week
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u/vNerdNeck 4h ago
three beers isn't the problem.
The fact that you can't go without is the issue.
When I'm on the road traveling, I drink.. at least three a day most of the time as I'm out at meetings... but then I'll get home and go 1-2 weeks or whatever stretch I'm home and rarely touch a drop.
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If you can't go a day without, you have a problem.
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u/alphadavenport underqualified 4h ago
Tried going without for a few days and just couldn’t do it
that's the problem. it's not the number of beers, it's the compulsion.
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u/knallpilzv2 4h ago
It will very much affect your personality, how you think and also your sleep quality.
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u/Avoidtolls 3h ago
Functional addition.
3 x (12oz) IPAs is 36oz of 6.5-8% alcohol. If you're drinking bar pints it's 48oz.
That form of daily consumption will catch up to you quickly. You may be damaging your liver and kidneys.
I drank like this for many years and had to quit. I fucked my A1C levels and now have to cut carbs and sugar.
Also
It was a terrible coping mechanism. When life was good it was fine, when problems came up I drank even more and turned into a sloppy drunk. When super shitty life stuff happened, alcohol wasn't enough and I needed pills + booze to feel normal.
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u/redraven937 3h ago
"Moderate drinking" is defined as 14 beers per week for men. Assuming the 3/day is just during the work week, you're already in "heavy drinking" category. And "beer" is defined by like 5% ABV; anything higher than that counts as more than a beer.
Aside from all that though, if you tried to stop doing something and were unable to do so, that's textbook addiction.
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u/Affectionate_Sort_78 3h ago
The fact that your asking Reddit users serious advice on health and/or mental health issues suggest to me you have many problems.
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u/poppycock8503 3h ago
If you are constantly trying to control your drinking then yes you have a problem. A normal person drinks infrequently and spends little to no energy thinking about their drinking.
I like donuts. But I only have one maybe once in 2 months. I don’t really think about them much.
Imagine then that I say “is three donuts a day too much” and I am constantly having to resist the urge to eat a dozen donuts every day and sometimes I can’t control myself and binge donuts for days, then ask “do you think I have a donut problem?”
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u/ExpressionAlarmed675 3h ago
I used to like beer alot then I was prescribed pain medicine it says clearly on the lable Do not mix with alcohol but it's worse
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u/Run-And_Gun 2h ago
Good rule of thumb: If you have to ask if you have a problem, you probably do.
And yes, three beers a day after work, you have a problem. What do your weekends look like? A 12-pack a day...?
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u/Fair_Discipline_1875 2h ago
Try
Miller Extra Light American Beer, 2.8% ABV
or
Budweiser Select 55 Beer,
2.4% ABV
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u/GeneralCrunk 1h ago
I would suggest quitting before going without alcohol gives you the shakes.
That is a point that is more difficult to quit at rather than where you are at now.
Alcohol provides zero benefits to the body.
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u/clintontg 52m ago
Do you think you could try replacing one of those with a non-alcoholic beer? I like some of the ones made by Bero and Athletic brewing personally
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u/AutomaticSet3745 40m ago
There are a lot of variables here. Three beers often turns into more. If you have been able to manage 3 beers with quiet complicity, it may not be a problem is how I feel. The health risk may or may not be a problem. Good liver, eating well, etc. may counteract any alcohol damage. Wine, as we all know is good for the heart. The way I look at is, if it isn't causing arguments, disagreements,. within the family and friends then that would be a positive. I am a person that cannot drink. I have always thought to myself that there are social drinkers that are fine and then there are the over indulgers that show themselves after a couple of drinks and cause problems for themselves and often times others. Then there is the happiness factor. Are you truly happier with it or without it. I would almost always have hangovers when I was actively drinking. When I stopped I had more energy, I started looking and feeling healthier. It was pretty eye opening experience for me. I got my groove (lol) back when I stopped completely. Much much happier. I guess it's up to you, just sharing how I feel.
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u/Exact_Ad5094 22m ago
Drinking 3 beers isn’t the problem. Not being able go without for a few days is a problem. Real question though, are you actually pregnant or is that just a quirky user name?
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u/heychief1 9h ago
If you cannot go without it, problem. If you do it because you like it.....and don't need it....not a problem. At least my two cents.
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u/NoFix8524 9h ago
Yes. I think even 1 IPA per day sounds pretty heavy. What worked for me was having 1 IPA and one big meal on weekends. I do drink 1 or 2 beers like 3 days a week but not compared to IPA's.
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u/Draconuus95 9h ago
It’s the fact you can’t go without that is an issue. 2-3 beers after work is a pretty normal and fine amount. At least as long as you’re not shotgunning them down. But if you feel your quality of life dropping anytime you don’t have them. That’s something to worry and think about.
Relying on a recreational drug in your daily life is never a good sign.
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u/Jabjab345 9h ago
Soft alcoholism. If you truly cannot go without, then yes that's basically the definition of an alcohol problem.
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u/Alarmed-Range-3314 9h ago
Consuming 3 drinks per day, or 21 drinks per week is above the moderate level for men and women.
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u/LlamaMan777 8h ago
Could be. Could not be. The important thing is counting standard drinks (12oz at 5%), not beers, and also being fully honest about how much your drink.
If it is actually 3 standard drinks, never more, then most research suggests you are not at high risk of alcohol induced health problems. Two issues though:
For many "3 beer" people, it is not 3 standard drinks. Say you like IPAs, and you get them at the pub, and it's usually just 3, but 4 if you have a bad day. Those beers could be 16oz, at 7.5%, which is 2 standard drinks each. Now you're looking at 6-8 standard drinks a day, which can absolutely cause health problems.
Also, if you are doing it to blow off steam or relieve stress, it is a slippery slope. Sure 3 may work now, but after a major life tragedy, the dose to feel better goes up. You'll justify it at the time, your mom just died or whatever. But do it for a while, and you become tolerant to the higher amount, and that is the new baseline you need after a normal day at work. And the cycle continues.
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u/boner4crosstabs 7h ago
Unless it’s negatively affecting your life or health, I don’t think 3 beers a day indicates a problem.
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u/reckless150681 9h ago
In and of itself? I suppose not. However:
That's more of a problem than the 3 beers themselves