ChatterBank0 min ago
Social Drinking
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Not too sure where to put this?
I wonder if others think like I am. I find it worrying that so many people, both sexes, but particularly females seem to expect to have a bottle of wine to hand virtually daily. Reading other forums especially Facebook it seems come evening the conversations start talking about needing glass or two of wine or even stronger.
I like an occasional drink so am not tee total. I know of a couple of who really didn't see the harm in a drink or two of a night, but gradually realised they not only fancied an occasional drink but actually couldn't do without it until they are drinking more and more.
Not too sure where to put this?
I wonder if others think like I am. I find it worrying that so many people, both sexes, but particularly females seem to expect to have a bottle of wine to hand virtually daily. Reading other forums especially Facebook it seems come evening the conversations start talking about needing glass or two of wine or even stronger.
I like an occasional drink so am not tee total. I know of a couple of who really didn't see the harm in a drink or two of a night, but gradually realised they not only fancied an occasional drink but actually couldn't do without it until they are drinking more and more.
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Perhaps it depends upon what people regard as important?
I have no desire to live a long life. I'm 59 now and if I survive very far into my early 60s I'll consider myself lucky. I'd rather enjoy a 'few' drinks (but well above 'recommended limits') now and die at, say, 63, than I'd want to stay sober and die at, say, 103.
I place little (if any) value on human life, including my own. It seems that many young people are adopting a similar attitude. Who can say that they're wrong?
I have no desire to live a long life. I'm 59 now and if I survive very far into my early 60s I'll consider myself lucky. I'd rather enjoy a 'few' drinks (but well above 'recommended limits') now and die at, say, 63, than I'd want to stay sober and die at, say, 103.
I place little (if any) value on human life, including my own. It seems that many young people are adopting a similar attitude. Who can say that they're wrong?
I enjoy a drop of scotch before bed, I think it helps me sleep as I have a machine running all night due to apnoea, I retired 18 months ago due to ill health, still got another 4 months before I get the old farts handout, if I don't pop my clogs . I would not consider I am a heavy drinker, but I don't want to go to 100 anyway.
Baza:
One of the (many) definitions of an 'alcoholic' is a person who finds that their ability to deal with 'the day-to-day rhythms of life' (such as getting to sleep) is impaired by the absence of alcohol. By that definition, both you and I are 'alcoholics'.
However, as both our posts show, that's not automatically a cause for concern (or, indeed, for criticism). As long as we know what we're doing (and the possible consequences thereof) who is entitled to say that we are 'wrong'?
One of the (many) definitions of an 'alcoholic' is a person who finds that their ability to deal with 'the day-to-day rhythms of life' (such as getting to sleep) is impaired by the absence of alcohol. By that definition, both you and I are 'alcoholics'.
However, as both our posts show, that's not automatically a cause for concern (or, indeed, for criticism). As long as we know what we're doing (and the possible consequences thereof) who is entitled to say that we are 'wrong'?
I am an alcoholic; there are a couple of us on AB, I think, both "in recovery" as we say i.e. sober. It does not matter how many people drink or how often or how much. A percentage of the population, any population,will be programmed, from birth, to become alcoholics. We now know that it is a matter of nature, not nurture. There is, as it were, an alcoholics' gene. If they are introduced to alcohol and it remains available they will succumb.
Now, you may say, that more men than women are alcoholics or show alcoholic tendencies. It may simply be that the "gene" is rarer in women.But a more likely explanation is cultural.Historically, women did not overtly drink as much as men, and so they were not exposed to sufficient alcohol to awaken the overwheming desire for it. I can drink alcohol now but do not relapse; I can drink a pint of Guinness or a glass of champagne, on occasion, but do not revert. (I rarely do it, but I have been brave, or reckless, enough to do so ). But there comes a point where the drinker is taken over, when the blood-alcohol level triggers the addiction. What that level is varies from person to person but each potential alcoholic has one. That's why we are told to avoid it altogether; we may be safe at one glass, but two or three and we trigger the response.
This is wholly separate from wider social or health issues. Alcohol is dangerous without alcoholism.
Now, you may say, that more men than women are alcoholics or show alcoholic tendencies. It may simply be that the "gene" is rarer in women.But a more likely explanation is cultural.Historically, women did not overtly drink as much as men, and so they were not exposed to sufficient alcohol to awaken the overwheming desire for it. I can drink alcohol now but do not relapse; I can drink a pint of Guinness or a glass of champagne, on occasion, but do not revert. (I rarely do it, but I have been brave, or reckless, enough to do so ). But there comes a point where the drinker is taken over, when the blood-alcohol level triggers the addiction. What that level is varies from person to person but each potential alcoholic has one. That's why we are told to avoid it altogether; we may be safe at one glass, but two or three and we trigger the response.
This is wholly separate from wider social or health issues. Alcohol is dangerous without alcoholism.
there are different things going on here.
Alcoholism amounts to an illness, though as mentioned above some people are untroubled by it.
Social drinking is indulged in by most people in most cultures. A cold G&T and a chat is a most excellent thing in hot weather. Basically harmless, though it does dull your responses by a small amount, even while it makes you sparklingly witty.
Still, there are in-between states that are harder to label. Some people "need" a drink to unwind after a hard day, though that doesn't mean they're alcoholics. Perhaps those are the ones you have in mind. I don't find it particularly worrying.
Binge drinking does seem to be a problem, though: people who deliberately drink to lose some or all control over themselves. I wouldn't mind if they did it in private but it's unpleasant having to pick your way through a group of such people on the street at night. (And heaven forbid they should try driving.)
But that seldom involves a bottle or two of wine, so they may not be the people you have in mind. Beer or spirits are usually the weapon of choice.
Alcoholism amounts to an illness, though as mentioned above some people are untroubled by it.
Social drinking is indulged in by most people in most cultures. A cold G&T and a chat is a most excellent thing in hot weather. Basically harmless, though it does dull your responses by a small amount, even while it makes you sparklingly witty.
Still, there are in-between states that are harder to label. Some people "need" a drink to unwind after a hard day, though that doesn't mean they're alcoholics. Perhaps those are the ones you have in mind. I don't find it particularly worrying.
Binge drinking does seem to be a problem, though: people who deliberately drink to lose some or all control over themselves. I wouldn't mind if they did it in private but it's unpleasant having to pick your way through a group of such people on the street at night. (And heaven forbid they should try driving.)
But that seldom involves a bottle or two of wine, so they may not be the people you have in mind. Beer or spirits are usually the weapon of choice.
I'm so sorry I didn't want to offend anyone who is an Alcoholic
As jno says there is a difference between it being an illness/genetic problem to the binge drinking culture that's cropped up.
I suspect I am mixing up the binge drinking where it seems the aim when they go out is to get blotto and the people who always have a drink to hand at the end of the day.
My late father in law had a tot of whisky each night before bed recommended by his GP at that time. Did him no harm whatsoever.
It is the young that boast about getting rat ar*ed as I have heard it called that worries me.
We used to like a little wander through the town on a Saturday or Sunday evening to do a spot of window shopping. Wouldn't dare now for the young people crowding in groups shouting with tins of beer in their hands.
As jno says there is a difference between it being an illness/genetic problem to the binge drinking culture that's cropped up.
I suspect I am mixing up the binge drinking where it seems the aim when they go out is to get blotto and the people who always have a drink to hand at the end of the day.
My late father in law had a tot of whisky each night before bed recommended by his GP at that time. Did him no harm whatsoever.
It is the young that boast about getting rat ar*ed as I have heard it called that worries me.
We used to like a little wander through the town on a Saturday or Sunday evening to do a spot of window shopping. Wouldn't dare now for the young people crowding in groups shouting with tins of beer in their hands.
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