Do you or a loved one have a drinking problem?

[V8Ian]

According to an article I read at lunchtime today, I do! Since Christmas, I've bought a sixpack of Bundy and Cola. I consumed three at two separate parties, as I had to drive home. This it seems, makes me a binge drinker. The article went on to list various other drinking problems, and as I interpret the article, only teetotalers escape drinking problems.

[rovercare]

I drink every day, occasionally I'll go without, but that's more to do with having a few nights rations in one the night before, which I prefer not to do so much any more as it makes the next day a bit of a waste

[alien]

It was explained to me years ago that there are only 2 signs of a drinking problem.

1..You are always looking for someone to drink with.

2..You don't care if you can't find someone to drink with:eek::wasntme:

[Vern]

yeah but you got problems:p (matt that is)

[V8Ian]

Or two hands, one mouth. ;)

[rovercare]

yeah but you got problems:p (matt that is)

Yea, my head hurts:(


Might be the having my head cut open but:p

[Basil135]

I dont have a drinking problem.

I drink
Get drunk
Fall down
No problem... :D


Besides, I am sotally tober as all times...

[Sprint]

i dont have a drinking problem, i drink, i get drunk, i fall down, i pass out, whats the problem?

[Ean Austral]

Interesting Topic,

So did the article say what was worse...someone who drinks say 4 beers everyday or someone who drinks say 12-15 over the weekend..

Whats people thoughts..

Cheers Ean

[Sprint]

honestly, it only becomes a problem when you *need* to drink, or when it starts affecting your behaviour and those around you

[The ho har's]

Yep drink every day...about 3 ltrs of water:p:D through the day and a couple at night while here...cheers:)

Mrs hh:angel:

[The ho har's]

honestly, it only becomes a problem when you *need* to drink, or when it starts affecting your behaviour and those around you


yep preciously....

Mrs hh:angel:

[V8Ian]

Interesting Topic,

So did the article say what was worse...someone who drinks say 4 beers everyday or someone who drinks say 12-15 over the weekend..

Whats people thoughts..

Cheers Ean
G'day Ean, the article seemed anti-alcohol in general, but particularly down on binge drinking. My defination of binge drinking is someone who drinks to intoxication between periods of sobriety, eg. only drinks on weekends, but with the intention of getting drunk. I really don't think my six cans so far this year, is a problem, but according to this article it is.

[Hymie]

I'm not ****ed if I can lay down without holding on...;);););)

[Ean Austral]

Gday Ian, mate that doesn't even put you in the social drinking class, and in the NT would make you a non-drinker.

I know our boats insurance premiums rise considerably if we allow alcohol on-board.which we dont. Alcohol, the ocean and confined work/living conditions make for a timebomb in waiting.

I guess im a binge drinker as I dont drink for 7 mths of the year, but do when im home.

Its a hard one to pick as if you look it in the big picture Alcohol is most likely the biggest overall contributer to the social problems and family breakdowns in our society.

Cheers Ean

[V8Ian]

Gday Ian, mate that doesn't even put you in the social drinking class, and in the NT would make you a non-drinker.

I know our boats insurance premiums rise considerably if we allow alcohol on-board.which we dont. Alcohol, the ocean and confined work/living conditions make for a timebomb in waiting.

I guess im a binge drinker as I dont drink for 7 mths of the year, but do when im home.

Its a hard one to pick as if you look it in the big picture Alcohol is most likely the biggest overall contributer to the social problems and family breakdowns in our society.

Cheers EanIt makes me a bit unusual here too mate. :D

[bushpie]

Yep I went for I Drink Every Day............but like Mrs hh its mostly water:)

Dont want to be dehydratin now do we.......causes far more probs:twobeers:

[Ean Austral]

It makes me a bit unusual here too mate. :D


Not totally, as I see it was BUNDY.


Cheers Ean

[V8Ian]

Not totally, as I see it was BUNDY.


Cheers EanIs there anything else? :o;)

[Ean Austral]

Is there anything else? :o;)

Not in Qld.. you have to keep the sugar industry going somehow :wasntme:

[d@rk51d3]

Six-pack of beer will last me the best part of the year. Have to really want one before I can drink it.
Maybe go through 2 -3 bottles of spirits a year.

Never been drunk before. It just doesn't "grab me".

[51jay]

I spent 3 years in Darwin, leaving just after cyclone Max. I have never before seen so many people who thought it was normal social drinking to get through a carton or 2 every day. More on weekends of course.

I worked in the Psyche unit at Darwin Hospital. During the wet season we would get a few young blokes in with full on Delirium Tremens. They had been stranded in the bush for a week or more and run out of grog
Incidently I helped a mate sail his boat from Bris to Darwin early last year and didn't recognise any of it. Even the airport was in a diferent place :o I don't know about now but back then I think a significent portion of the population were never ever sober.

[vnx205]

Surely there are a lot of people not covered by any of those choices in the poll.

The poll seems to assume that the only way to avoid problems is to be a non-drinker.

If you usually have a small glass of wine with dinner four or five nights a week and just occasionally have a second glass, then none of those apply (unless of course you are a cheap drunk who can get intoxicated on two glasses). :p

[Fluids]

OMG

I'm a binge drinker :o

:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

:twobeers::twobeers::twobeers::twobeers::twobeers: :twobeers:

:Thump:

[V8Ian]

Not in Qld.. you have to keep the sugar industry going somehow :wasntme:We're loosing a lot of canefields to build houses for Mexicans, ;) and the Babinda mill won't be operating next season. :(

[V8Ian]

Surely there are a lot of people not covered by any of those choices in the poll.

The poll seems to assume that the only way to avoid problems is to be a non-drinker.

If you usually have a small glass of wine with dinner four or five nights a week and just occasionally have a second glass, then none of those apply (unless of course you are a cheap drunk who can get intoxicated on two glasses). :pQuite right, the article was framed in such a way that if you believe it, everyone who drinks has a problem.

[V8Ian]

OMG

I'm a binge drinker :o

:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

:twobeers::twobeers::twobeers::twobeers::twobeers: :twobeers:

:Thump:Hi Kev, long time no hear/see. How's your Dad? :)
We have something else in common. :twobeers:

[Fluids]

He's good Ian, thanks for asking. He's 72 now ! Still comes in to work almost every day.

I've been getting on with life ... is what happens whilst you're busy making other plans.

Teenagers, kids, clients, parents, inlaws, ...... :bat:

[roverrescue]

I think Darwin and Cooktown have a lot in common.
I know folks who have half a carton by 10am to keep everything in order, up from down and all that.

I always thought you only had a drinking problem if you drink more than your GP...
Thats easy fixed, just need to shop around for the appropriate GP.

S

[bob10]

I spent 3 years in Darwin, leaving just after cyclone Max. I have never before seen so many people who thought it was normal social drinking to get through a carton or 2 every day. More on weekends of course.

I worked in the Psyche unit at Darwin Hospital. During the wet season we would get a few young blokes in with full on Delirium Tremens. They had been stranded in the bush for a week or more and run out of grog
Incidently I helped a mate sail his boat from Bris to Darwin early last year and didn't recognise any of it. Even the airport was in a diferent place :o I don't know about now but back then I think a significent portion of the population were never ever sober.

Too true, I spent a few years in Darwin, in the Navy, we sat out" Max" on a patrol boat in the harbour, non event, really. They had a novel way of calculating travel time, Darwin to Tumbling Waters was a six stubbie trip, and so on. On weekends we filled up a 6x4 trailer with beer, and drove it from place to place, mobile party, just top up the trailer for entry.A non drinker was treated with suspicion, someone to watch closely, obviously a southern blowin. Just escaped with my liver when posted south , much to the delight of my long suffering wife. Bob :twobeers:

[stevo68]

Guess I would be deemed to have a drinking problem as well. I generally will have 2-3 coldies a night......more over the weekend. If out camping...well watch out....... :D. Do I need to have a drink...no. Can go without quite easily......I just like having a couple of beers at the end of the day.

Regards

Stevo

[Disco44]

I've been pretty crook for the last 6/12 months.Now that I'm on the mend I'm going to do what my old Granddad ,did drink a can of Guineas a day .Does that make me a ****pot?

[Redback]

Guess I would be deemed to have a drinking problem as well. I generally will have 2-3 coldies a night......more over the weekend. If out camping...well watch out....... :D. Do I need to have a drink...no. Can go without quite easily......I just like having a couple of beers at the end of the day.

Regards

Stevo

That's me too, I'll add one or two Whiskeys and drop a beer or two:beer:

Baz.

[solmanic]

Don't drink, never have. I have been around drug & alcohol prison counselors all my life and am pretty much convinced that without alcohol most of society's ills would disappear overnight. There are actually very few full-on career criminals. All the others started with a beer, then just kept going for harder and harder stuff. Some then fell into crime because they got addicted to something they couldn't afford while others just got violent or stupid the more they were intoxicated. Either way you can place alcohol at the root of most inmates' criminal behaviour.

As far as I'm concerned, you have a drinking problem if you drink for effect, not taste. And before people jump all over this saying things like "oh I just like to have a drink at parties to loosen up"... well therein lies the problem. If you weren't suitably functional before you had a drink (even one) then you sure as hell won't be better afterwards.

Glass of wine with dinner = tasty, that's fine.
Bottle of wine with dinner = WTF! How much are you eating?

Cold one after work = refreshing, also fine.
Second cold one after work = really, why? You've already had one and unless you're still thirsty the second is just going to turn into urine and attitude.

[Tote]

I have known a few people with drinking problems ie those whos drinking affects their lives and those around them (and they need to drink to function). In every case the excessive drinking is a symptom of a deeper problem, not the cause of their woes.
I have also been around people who drink heavily at social occasions because it is the thing to do. Only a few of those people caused problems when drunk as they were able to remain in control, in that setting anyone who got out of control was chastised for not being able to hold their **** which deterred them from doing stupid things or not drinking so much.

These are two very different scenarios which surveys like the one mentioned completely ignore.
Also this notion of "Drinking to get drunk" is simply another myth generated by those who would have us do as they would like. OF COURSE people drink to get an effect from alcohol, otherwise the makers of Claytons would be sponsoring the state of origin.
None of the above statements go any way to resolving the social problems that drinking creates but demonising alcohol dosent help either, Just look at the success that has been had in demonising illicit drugs.

Regards,
Tote

[nicho]

I look forward to kicking back and having a couple after work as I unwind. If I binge on the weekend it's only rarely that I do that. Do I have a problem, Hell no. I don't steal for it I don't want for it I don't need it but I do enjoy it. It's just the attitude and lack of control some people have and violent outbreaks that stem from binge drinking that is unacceptable in society. Nothing wrong with a social few but if you cant control yourself when your drinking then you have a problem

[stevo68]

Don't drink, never have. I have been around drug & alcohol prison counselors all my life and am pretty much convinced that without alcohol most of society's ills would disappear overnight. There are actually very few full-on career criminals. All the others started with a beer, then just kept going for harder and harder stuff. Some then fell into crime because they got addicted to something they couldn't afford while others just got violent or stupid the more they were intoxicated. Either way you can place alcohol at the root of most inmates' criminal behaviour.

As far as I'm concerned, you have a drinking problem if you drink for effect, not taste. And before people jump all over this saying things like "oh I just like to have a drink at parties to loosen up"... well therein lies the problem. If you weren't suitably functional before you had a drink (even one) then you sure as hell won't be better afterwards.

Glass of wine with dinner = tasty, that's fine.
Bottle of wine with dinner = WTF! How much are you eating?

Cold one after work = refreshing, also fine.
Second cold one after work = really, why? You've already had one and unless you're still thirsty the second is just going to turn into urine and attitude. Bolded part....yep that's the tune of someone who has never had a cold refreshing Stella at the end of the day :p. When I was younger I drank for effect......ie whoo hoo mateys....lets get bllliiinnndddddd :D.

As I matured.......its more for the taste, social aspect, relaxing etc. I also disagree/agree in regards to alcohol being the ill of society. People ultimately have choices.....a cock head will always be a cock head regardless of 1 or 20 drinks. There's no doubting that the presence of alcohol can cause issues....but again that tends to be with the minority.

I worked and lived in the Cross in my 20's behind a bar in a nightclub. The Cross was the place to booze on......and in 3 yrs considering the amount of people in the area on a Fri/Sat night......incidents were relatively low.

Hmmm...only an hour and a 1/2 to beer o'clock....you beauty :twobeers:...whose with me :D,

Regards

Stevo

[Sleepy]

I like to have a drink, because I like too have a drink. No big deal. Haven't been sloshed for a long time. A beer or two. A nice glass or two (or 3?) of red with dinner. A couple of whiskeys round the campfire. Some hot buttered rum or a nice muscat or port later. Perhaps a crisp Sav Blanc with my fish......

This post is not going well is it....:angel:

[stevo68]

37 minutes to go.........hmmmm Stella :D....but I reiterate...no problemo's here:). Looking at the poll...guessing campfire with 14 non drinkers would be a real hoot :p;),

Regards

Stevo

[Ean Austral]

37 minutes to go.........hmmmm Stella :D....but I reiterate...no problemo's here:). Looking at the poll...guessing campfire with 14 non drinkers would be a real hoot :p;),

Regards

Stevo

Bugger me Stevo your making me thirsty..on my way to town , only 2.5hrs away, maybe able to sneek in a few cold one's whilst pumping on 40,000ltrs of deisel tonight..I can stand on the wharf and watch, that way im not drinking on-board the boat...

On second thought's might go home and see the family instead, and have a drink with them:D

Cheers Ean

[Pedro_The_Swift]

so if you're in here yack'n,,
who's steering the bloody boat!!

[stevo68]

Bugger me Stevo your making me thirsty..on my way to town , only 2.5hrs away, maybe able to sneek in a few cold one's whilst pumping on 40,000ltrs of deisel tonight..I can stand on the wharf and watch, that way im not drinking on-board the boat...

On second thought's might go home and see the family instead, and have a drink with them:D

Cheers Ean 5 minutes to go :p...the latter sounds the better option mate :),

Regards

Stevo

[stevo68]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/649.jpg

That's the first one :D, whose drinking with me :),

Regards

Stevo

[Ean Austral]

so if you're in here yack'n,,
who's steering the bloody boat!!


Autopilot Pedro, and he does a bloody fine job of it too.:)

Cheers Ean

[popemobile]

Whoa, just read a post on this thread that suggests irradicating alcohol will get rid of all the social ills.....

roll on prohibition that worked!!!;)

No criminals here??? What, thats not sly grog thats for sterilizing my toenail clippings??:D

actually dont entirely disagree as strongly as my above comments might suggest.

All i can say is if your drinking hand over the keys please, just dont do it!!!

Otherwise drink responsibly and stay safe, well, at least stay safe........:)

[nicho]

Thats crap. How can one dictate how much is too much, How can one dictate if you have a drinking problem by how much or how often you drink. A drinking problem is not someone who enjoys the flavor and texture of many drinks. I love red wine and port but i enjoy a beer or 2 now does that mean i have a drinking problem. If you believe everything they have polls then you will never eat drink or breath again so why take it all so seriously. If you enjoy a drink then enjoy it you dont have to think that your a blight on the world. If you drink to excess every day and/or get violent then maybe you have to rethink your lifestyle.
This is Nicho's opinion like take it or leave it.

Second cold one after work = really, why? You've already had one and unless you're still thirsty the second is just going to turn into urine and attitude.

[nicho]

Couldnt have said it better. Just to play it even safer i purchased a breath analyser so if i do go to a party and have a few too many i blow before i think about driving. cheap insurance and makes sure me and that family on their way home stay safe:D



All i can say is if your drinking hand over the keys please, just dont do it!!!
:)

[stevo68]

Thats crap. How can one dictate how much is too much, How can one dictate if you have a drinking problem by how much or how often you drink. A drinking problem is not someone who enjoys the flavor and texture of many drinks. I love red wine and port but i enjoy a beer or 2 now does that mean i have a drinking problem. If you believe everything they have polls then you will never eat drink or breath again so why take it all so seriously. If you enjoy a drink then enjoy it you dont have to think that your a blight on the world. If you drink to excess every day and/or get violent then maybe you have to rethink your lifestyle.
This is Nicho's opinion like take it or leave it.

Second cold one after work = really, why? You've already had one and unless you're still thirsty the second is just going to turn into urine and attitude. See if you were a drinker....especially of beer....you know the first one generally doesn't hit the side.....the second one is the one you savour........onto my second now......now urine or attitude yet :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/648.jpg

Regards

Stevo

[nicho]

oops i need to redo the poll i just cracked my 3rd and when i think about it i did drink about 30 odd cans around the fire with AULRO friends on the weekend.. Surprise surprise no one got punched out or agressive.. wow did someone switch our drinks to water

[Jeff]

Looking at the poll...guessing campfire with 14 non drinkers would be a real hoot :p;),

Regards

Stevo

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

[popemobile]

Hey, on a serious note, watch your Vit B1 intake ( proper name thiamine whilst consuming alcohol. )This affects your acetylcholine neurotransmitter levels.....If you become B1 defficient whilst drinking you end up with permanent brain damage often within a few hrs. It has almost NOTHING to do with how much you drink, but while you drink your ability to metabolize B1 is dramatically reduced. The body cannot store B1 so needs to metabolize it as you go. So you need B1 in your diet WHILE you drink. NOT a berroca before or after....

Good sources of B1 are vegimite, all bread (australian law makes bread makers add B1 to help with thiamine defficiency but wont add it to beer coz that sends a pro drinking nonpolitically correct message!!) Liver


And guess what, peanuts. Just be carefull, coz they might have feces on them :D Deli belly is better than brain damage in my book tho.

Nearly 95 percent of alcohol related brain damage is due to thiamine defficiency and believe me it leaves you a veggie. With no ability to proccess new memories due to damage in the hippocampus.

Hmmm new my neurology studies would come in handy one day, hey wheres my Chivas???

[Ean Austral]

Hey, on a serious note, watch your Vit B1 intake ( proper name thiamine whilst consuming alcohol. )This affects your acetylcholine neurotransmitter levels.....If you become B1 defficient whilst drinking you end up with permanent brain damage often within a few hrs. It has almost NOTHING to do with how much you drink, but while you drink your ability to metabolize B1 is dramatically reduced. The body cannot store B1 so needs to metabolize it as you go. So you need B1 in your diet WHILE you drink. NOT a berroca before or after....

Good sources of B1 are vegimite, all bread (australian law makes bread makers add B1 to help with thiamine defficiency but wont add it to beer coz that sends a pro drinking nonpolitically correct message!!) Liver


And guess what, peanuts. Just be carefull, coz they might have feces on them :D Deli belly is better than brain damage in my book tho.

Nearly 95 percent of alcohol related brain damage is due to thiamine defficiency and believe me it leaves you a veggie. With no ability to proccess new memories due to damage in the hippocampus.

Hmmm new my neurology studies would come in handy one day, hey wheres my Chivas???

Isnt a hippocampus where the hippo's go to school.

Cheers Ean

[nicho]

in the words of the Irish..

I ONLY DRINK ON THE DAYS OF THE WEEK THAT END IN A Y
thank you:twisted:

[easo]

I have to admit something....







....is 5X 750ml ice coffees in one day considered "binge drinking"???

I only drink them because they are so tasty!!!!

Easo

[Stuck]

For me it's only a problem when I run out.



And guess what, peanuts.
And you've got to treat nuts with caution too 'cos they're like gravel when they come back up. :wasntme:

Cheers,
Anthony.

[robbotd5]

Drinking a few beers and having a play on AULRO is one of my simple pleasures.
Usually two Coopers Sparkling Ale largies followed by something less potent such as a Boag's premium. No problem.
Regards
Robbo

[popemobile]

in the words of the Irish..

I ONLY DRINK ON THE DAYS OF THE WEEK THAT END IN A Y
thank you:twisted:



The Irish also prescribe guiness for pregnant women:o

Explains a lot:D

****Edit thats docs prescribing for women who ARE pregnant, not to get them that way:)

[Disco1Newbee]

The AA is for quiters...

Also, apparently alcoholics take a break every second day.. I dont take breaks!!! Bring on the Tequila...

:):):):)

[V8Ian]

I have to admit something....







....is 5X 750ml ice coffees in one day considered "binge drinking"???

I only drink them because they are so tasty!!!!

EasoI hope it's Iced Coffee, by Parmalat, Dan. I used to drink over 40 litres a week, still give a good nudge and it's done me no harm no harm no harm no harm. :p

[V8Ian]

The Irish also prescribe guiness for pregnant women:o

Explains a lot:D

****Edit thats docs prescribing for women who ARE pregnant, not to get them that way:)Allegedly, Guiness alone, has every vitamin, mineral and enough nutrition to sustain life for the average adult; you only need to consume one hundred and twenty seven pints a day. :D

[juddy]

1 beer ( or should i say real ale ) a day is supposed to be good for you according to the BMJ, and until not so many years and years ago Stout was given to pregnant women in the UK.

[Sprint]

Allegedly, Guiness alone, has every vitamin, mineral and enough nutrition to sustain life for the average adult; you only need to consume one hundred and twenty seven pints a day. :D

apart from the quantity being slightly excessive...... i fail to see the problem.... :angel:

[solmanic]

Looking at the poll...guessing campfire with 14 non drinkers would be a real hoot :p;),

I was being extreme with my one beer only line, but it was to make a point about the fact that it's not what or how much you drink, but the reason that indicates you may have a problem. If it takes you a couple to quench your thirst then that's fine. And as others have pointed out, the "problem" is not that you are drinking, it's why you're drinking. And thirst is not a "problem".

But your comment above is part of my issue. If someone I'm socialising with starts knocking back more than a few then I take it that they are not entertained enough by the company alone. Is my conversation not doing it for you? It's a good indicator that I need to be hanging around with someone else, for both our sakes.

I've been to a lot of parties where the host has served grog but most people were enjoying themselves so much just socialising that they were holding the same drink for hours and might as well have been drinking lemonade. But then there's one or two tools who don't get the mood of the room and have too much. They make idiots of themselves and the host regrets having invited them.

It's the usual dilemma of a few spoiling it for the many. But in that context, if you took alcohol out of the equation, would the many really have been that inconvenienced?

This is a moot point however as we all know prohibition doesn't work and most people wouldn't stand for it anyway, so I don't know the solution.

[ezyrama]

This is a moot point however as we all know prohibition doesn't work and most people wouldn't stand for it anyway, so I don't know the solution.[/QUOTE]

I dunno either solmanic, Lets just sit back, have a beer and mull it over.:twobeers:
;) Cheers Ian

[bob10]

I If someone I'm socialising with starts knocking back more than a few then I take it that they are not entertained enough by the company alone. Is my conversation not doing it for you? It's a good indicator that I need to be hanging around with someone else, for both our sakes.
So, you are either not a good listener, [ sometimes people who imbibe too much have something on their mind, and just need a sympathetic ear] ,or you want to be the centre of attraction. You dont sound like you have many mates, because mates dont" hang around" people, they're there because they enjoy the company of the people they are with, and they look after the people they are with. It sounds to me like you mix with a lot of very shallow people. Cheers, Bob

[rovercare]

mull it over.:twobeers:
;) Cheers Ian

Are you chopping up? who's bringing the mix?:D

[rovercare]

I was being extreme with my one beer only line, but it was to make a point about the fact that it's not what or how much you drink, but the reason that indicates you may have a problem. If it takes you a couple to quench your thirst then that's fine. And as others have pointed out, the "problem" is not that you are drinking, it's why you're drinking. And thirst is not a "problem".

But your comment above is part of my issue. If someone I'm socialising with starts knocking back more than a few then I take it that they are not entertained enough by the company alone. Is my conversation not doing it for you? It's a good indicator that I need to be hanging around with someone else, for both our sakes.

I've been to a lot of parties where the host has served grog but most people were enjoying themselves so much just socialising that they were holding the same drink for hours and might as well have been drinking lemonade. But then there's one or two tools who don't get the mood of the room and have too much. They make idiots of themselves and the host regrets having invited them.

It's the usual dilemma of a few spoiling it for the many. But in that context, if you took alcohol out of the equation, would the many really have been that inconvenienced?

This is a moot point however as we all know prohibition doesn't work and most people wouldn't stand for it anyway, so I don't know the solution.

Beer doesn't satisfy thirst, it dehydrates you

I've known somber sobre people to dull the mood also, what's the difference? get on their high horses about the boozeing etc, not directed at you at all, but have definately come across it more than a few times, some people just like to work themselves up over nothing, whether they are the sobre booze nazi, or the drunken fool that is being a pain in the asphalt, just human nature

[juddy]

I would say having a beer or 2/3/4 or what ever is fine when out with people, when with friends, you may tend to drink a few more beers etc, but thats because you are enjoying yourself and the people you are with, not because you are bored with them, maybe being English i can relate to the pub culture that is truly unique to the Uk, and for decades has been a way of life for people to socialise, the pub was and still is a place to meet friends, and be part of a local community, something that we really don't have here in the same way as the Uk, ( other than in small towns and villages ) not that we dont go out out for a beer, we just go to different places. The better the conversation the more i tend to drink, not because i intend to get drunk, just because iam having a nice time with friends, and feel relaxed.If its a bad conversation then off home i go...

Alcohol also makes people more open and relaxed, and can make for a better time out. However theres people who dont drink, and thats fine with me, they/i would probably only have one night out, and would not choose to drink again with each other, but i could also have a alcohol free night out with that person, just a beer sometimes makes you more yourself, everyones different!!!

However i cant tolerate people who go out and get drunk, and act like total idiots. Know your limit and keep to it....

[cartm58]

Binge drinking is a very serious problem besides encouraging anti social behaviour it is a serious health risk in itself. Friend who is a binge drinker nearly died as the alcohol caused a rare yeast to grow within his body consuming all the body protein weakening his muscles including his heart as he was on life support for so long while they fought the yeast infection it permanently damaged his vocal cords.

Besides cancer risk and liver damage etc from drinking heavily on regular basis

However like everything drinking in moderation isn't a bad thing and in some cases can argue health benefit for example glass of red wine has anti oxidants and helps reduce cholesterol levels which may explain why French people despite their diet of creams and cheeses etc have lower cholesterol than other Europeans

[nicho]

Nothing like having a few drinks with friends and/or family to celebrate a special occasion.. But as has been said many times.. Know your limit dont make a fool out of yourself and others. I over did it on saturday night but i still kept myself civil i just upped and went to bed no foul on me or any others. the day caught up on me and i had 1 or 2 too many. I know when i have hit my limit and i usually stop but on saturday night i was really enjoying the company and the location i was in. Not bored with the company etc etc etc. Ask everyone there if they realised i was so far gone and i bet none of them realised it. I have a healthy diet i have regular medical checks for work and believe it or not the one before last i had been sober for 2 years, the last medical i had i have had a drink at least 5 times a week for the last 5 years and i was healthier go figure!

[blitz]

I spent 3 years in Darwin, leaving just after cyclone Max. I have never before seen so many people who thought it was normal social drinking to get through a carton or 2 every day. More on weekends of course.

I worked in the Psyche unit at Darwin Hospital. During the wet season we would get a few young blokes in with full on Delirium Tremens. They had been stranded in the bush for a week or more and run out of grog
Incidently I helped a mate sail his boat from Bris to Darwin early last year and didn't recognise any of it. Even the airport was in a diferent place :o I don't know about now but back then I think a significent portion of the population were never ever sober.

When I moved to Katherine in 1980, the Northern Territory had the highest alcohol consumption per capita in the world and Katherine had the highest alcohol consumption per capita in the NT.

2500 people and 53 police officers stationed there, we also had the highest police / population ratio in Australia if not the world as well. She was a wild wild town and yes many people were constantly drunk - Darwin was bad but nothing in comparison to Katherine at that period

[solmanic]

So, you are either not a good listener, [ sometimes people who imbibe too much have something on their mind, and just need a sympathetic ear] ,or you want to be the centre of attraction. You dont sound like you have many mates, because mates dont" hang around" people, they're there because they enjoy the company of the people they are with, and they look after the people they are with. It sounds to me like you mix with a lot of very shallow people. Cheers, Bob

I wasn't even talking about my mates (re-read the post please), but thanks for your blunt assessment of my social life. I'll pass those comments on to my "mates" so they can do some soul searching and develop some depth to their character.

My issues with alcohol come from being a spectator to it's worst effects. I'm not trying to be a killjoy. I expect you'd also have a hard time getting a lighthearted response on the topic of child abuse from a child psychologist.

[solmanic]

Beer doesn't satisfy thirst, it dehydrates you

It's a testament to the power of advertising that everyone believes "a hard earned thirst needs a big cold beer". ;)

I wonder if anyone at the AMA thought to pursue VB over that claim.

[Scallops]

I was subjected to a Methodist upbringing at school. We were always taught to keep well away from alcohol, as consumption may lead to dancing. My wife and I have a waltz each and every night.

[bob10]

I was subjected to a Methodist upbringing at school. We were always taught to keep well away from alcohol, as consumption may lead to dancing. My wife and I have a waltz each and every night.

PRICELESS! :D

[bob10]

I wasn't even talking about my mates (re-read the post please), but thanks for your blunt assessment of my social life. I'll pass those comments on to my "mates" so they can do some soul searching and develop some depth to their character.

My issues with alcohol come from being a spectator to it's worst effects. I'm not trying to be a killjoy. I expect you'd also have a hard time getting a lighthearted response on the topic of child abuse from a child psychologist.

Point taken, your even handed response was appreciated, I too have seen its worst effects, and lived with them. Bob.

[solmanic]

I was subjected to a Methodist upbringing at school. We were always taught to keep well away from alcohol, as consumption may lead to dancing. My wife and I have a waltz each and every night.

It's the Baptists who don't approve of dancing, not the Methodists. That's why they prohibit people from having sex standing up.

[abaddonxi]

I was subjected to a Methodist upbringing at school. We were always taught to keep well away from alcohol, as consumption may lead to dancing. My wife and I have a waltz each and every night.

And too much dancing leads to...

YouTube - ‪Leo Sayer & the muppets - You make me feel like dancing‬‏

Leo Sayer and Muppetses!

And if you overindulge in dancing for too long you get The Wiggles.


YouTube - ‪The Wiggles ~ You Make Me Feel Like Dancing‬‏

[Pedro_The_Swift]

just plucked them out of your favourites file huh Simon,,,,:p