The daily drinker

The daily drinker

Drink every day. Because it is tasty. Because that's what you do. Because it gets you through the day. Because there is always a reason to come up with. And then you decide that something has to be done differently. Addy and Anke take a break because they want to.

Addy (66): “Two years ago I was referred to a specialist because of heart rhythm disorders. There I was told that the GP had put in my referral that I am a chronic drinker. I fell off my chair. He drew this conclusion partly on the basis of my Refusal use in the past (aversive drug that makes you sick after drinking alcohol, ed.). I have used this drug for years, in very small amounts. In the morning I broke a pill into small pieces and took a few crumbs of it. It was a miracle cure for me, because I never drank. Far too afraid of getting sick. And if I did drink something days later, I got a head cuff. So the Refusal went out the door after some time.

During the corona crisis I drank two Kasteel beers every day. And sometimes more than that. Then in the morning I would cycle to the supermarket and get, in addition to a few other groceries, my regular beers. Then I started at 3 pm with my first Kasteelbier and at 5 pm I cycled back to the supermarket to get some refreshments. Like a small bottle of good wine. Where only two glasses can go. Otherwise I wouldn't get through the day.

A good friend of mine lives a long way from me. We have been writing letters to each other for over ten years. I now have whole boxes full. She told me about Dry January. I had to think carefully about whether I wanted to participate. I looked up to it. I even thought I'd better stay with her for a few nights, because I might not make it otherwise. But that went a bit too far for me. And I was afraid I would buy alcohol on the way back. I used to do that every time I visited someone.

I started Dry January and it went wonderfully well from day one. I can leave it alone and I don't do much with it. I don't even think about starting again once this break is over. But I'm not saying never drink again. That oppresses me. Yet I also see that the whole idea of sitting in front of a whirring stove in the evening with a good whiskey is not for me. That whiskey is gone by noon.”

Anke (60) was raised with the motto: 'nothing is thrown away'. That applied to food and drink. That bottle of wine that Anke used to open daily had to and would go up. But is that what it meant?

“It was a shame to throw it away, so we - a large family from the Achterhoek - ate and drank everything we were presented with. It is of course not entirely due to the fact that I used to drink a bottle of wine a day, but that 'everything has to be finished' is ingrained in it. When I bring French cheeses for a birthday, I eat all the leftovers after the visit has left.

In addition, I have the bad luck that I like everything related to alcohol. Beer, wine, liquor: I don't care. I like it all. Also, I'm not particularly a social drinker. I drink easily at home as well as on social occasions.

I now know myself well enough to know that when this break is over, I must be strong not to pick up my old drinking habit right away. IkPas helps me a lot not to drink. I have been participating for five years and wear my bracelet with pride. This year I also participated in Dry January and the bridging challenge for the first time. Previously I only participated in the 40 days no drop challenge. Since I'll be taking a break for almost 90 days, I'm more confident that I can leave the daily bottle of wine. I am now more aware of my alcohol consumption.

My partner hardly drinks so I should be able to do it too. I go for it."