Getting merry?

[AB Asks]

Britain is a nation of binge drinkers, going out on a Saturday night and drinking until standing becomes a tricky task. Women are predominantly the accused for drinking far too much. With new research suggesting a strong link between depression and binge drinking, let alone all the other health risks excessive drinking poses, we have to wonder why it continues.

Is it because life is so depressing? Or are the Government worrying about nothing?

[lainiej]

Since I was 18 ( legally!) I've been going out with mates on a weekend and drinking as much as possible - til I was about 35. I'm now 48. I still drink quite a lot at home and I am on anti-depressants but who's to say that i would'nt have done away with myself if I couldnt get drunk in thesafety of my own home? I like drinking and although I'm certainly not an alcoholic I appreciate the fact that I may drink what I like without some people preaching to me about it.

[MiniN]

i think that it is wrong to make a sweeping statement about britain as we are not all the same. i am a female and do not binge drink.

if the government are really concerned about this issue then perhaps they wouldn't have brought in 24 hour drinking laws?

also if there is wide spread depression maybe the doctors (dirested by the government) will stop handing out pills to all and sundry and will actually talk to patients and see what is causing their depression.

[campbellking]

O.K. I'm going to be boring, I work on an Intensive Care unit, and we're seeing increasing numbers of young (in their 20s and 30s) being admitted with liver failure. It's very diffficult to treat when they get to the jaundiced stage, and we see a lot of upset children whose parents are dying from a totally preventable disease.

[lector]

'Britain is a nation of binge drinkers' - how is this judgement arrived at?

for eg, the Germans and Dutch don't do a bad job when it comes to drinking! - so, quantity does not really seem to be the suggestion here - more behaviourial and the accusation levelled at women?....

{nor forget the degree to which the Press is interested or not in such stories .... seeking out 'worst' case scenarios to discredit / sell newspapers}

recent equality of the sexes will naturally give rise to a 'dramatically rising trend' in the number of women involved -

healthwise - a greater burden is placed on NHS, Social Services and others - and I agree with those who say it is related to far wider issues - breakdown of the family unit / money availabiliy v age / responsive attitude / etc.

there is no quick fix - need to balance personal freedom rights against the interest of the community / country .

[jenstar]

"Is it because life is depressing?"

For me, yes.