Posted on 12/11/2004 5:37:20 AM PST by RobFromGa
I get railed at for this stance . . . but in my experiences over 25 years working with alcoholics and around a lot of other people with problems . . .
IF someone drinks more than 3 drinks an evening--imho--they either have a drinking problem of serious growing proportions or will have in RELATIVELY short order.
I actually would probably say 3--or more drinks an evening. 3-4 or more within 24 hours.
People who don't have an alcohol problem do NOT NEED nor CRAVE nor WANT more than that.
Another perspective is that if one can't go cold turkey teetotaling for 6 months without craving it at all--then they have a problem.
People who crave chocolate a lot seem to also have a predispostion toward alcoholism.
Has anyone in one's social circle commented even supposedly 'jokingly' about one's alcohol use/abuse? Especially, has anyone in one's nuclear family; workmates; close friends commented? Trouble is, alcoholics tend to have friends who are in the same boat and no one's going to point the finger.
I'll stick by my no more than 2 an evening and no more than 3-4 in 24 hours.
"If You Don't Quit You Win" Marker BTTT
Have never been even buzzy.
Get a typing software program--Mavis Beacon is good.
Take a typing test without any alcohol. Drink a can of beer.
Take same test again.
Drink another can of beer.
Take same test again.
Drink another can of beer.
Take same test again.
Consider if you'd like someone else driving with those changes in their thinking, fine motor coordination and physiology up and down a street your 6 year old only son was playing on . . . or driving on the streets you drive on . . .
I forget the contribution genetics seems to make--15-20% or some such.
We all have predispositions to sin this way or that. We can all choose to resist and the enemy will flee. NOT easy in many cases whether it's food, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever.
It's not what life hands us that's the problem--it's how we respond. And we all have our load to tote.
BTTT
Alcoholics tend to be
--very, very smart in at least some ways, often many ways.
--they are great actors fooling everyone at least some of the time and often themselves the worst.
--it may take 40-50 years of drinking to die from it physiologically. Sooner behind the wheel--maybe one binge. Some livers are stronger than others.
--alcoholics cover for one another as though covering for themselves--which they are, in a way.
--just as they can think fast and solve problems to hide their drinking or survive their drinking, they can solve problems needing solved in their work. They can be very effective in their work depending on many factors--HOW pickled they are in WHAT sorts of situations etc. And, functioning pickled is their NORM. They have learned to compensate so well for so long . . . it's NORMAL.
--Yes, they are STILL A BIG HAZARD on the road; at home; with kids; with spouses etc. And, schizophrenics who drink are MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE VIOLENT than those who don't. And spouse abuse is rampant.
That could make getting the poptop open more of a challenge!
Good you realize the allergic connection/condition!
4 would likely make you legally drunk on the road in some states.
I'm still wary of anyone drinking that much in an evening. Two would likely do in terms of all the benefits.
1-2 drinks
have ALREADY started neutralizing, deadening, putting to sleep
THE BRAIN'S JUDGMENT CENTER
which determines when something is too much; the car ahead is too close etc.
Thank you Rob for giving this valuable life lesson a hearing. I, too, believe that a person has to quit for their own sake. I like the way you did it--with Rush "in spirit". Very clever. AA will say you'll always have the desire to drink. I wonder if you would disagree?
Anyone who thinks alcohol is the life of the party; necessary for fun and interesting socializing . . .
Go into most any bar
and drink only a coke--NO alcohol--and listen to the conversations around you.
They tend to be insispid, inane, full of self-pity or other nonsense etc.
Alcohol is a depressant.
It loosens the inhibitions and gives the ILLUSION of fun.
Any video tape of acting out under the influence will tend to show that the 'fun' is anything but.
. . . that is from a truly sane perspective.
Other soused partners will agree that alcohol is the life of the party.
Please put me on your ping list.
THX.
Take a typing test without a cell phone. Hold a cell phone to your ear and talk.
While talking take same test again.
Turn the radio on.
While listening and talking take same test again.
Hold a hamburger in your other hand.
While listening and talking and eating take same test again.
Consider if you'd like someone else driving with those changes in their thinking, fine motor coordination and physiology up and down a street your 6 year old only son was playing on . . . or driving on the streets you drive on . .
TOO TRUE!
Doesn't negate the point about alcohol, though!
And, probably, in SOME contexts, distracted is not QUITE the same as asleep.
Huh. A very thought provoking post...
Unfortunately, I think the addiction tends to skip generations. My 22-year-old son has been drinking since his teens...to top it off, he was diagnosed with hepatitis C 2 years ago. He KNOWS he needs to quit but he's just not ready.
It KILLS me to watch him hurting himself this way, but until he decides it's time to quit, there's nothing I can do...except pray.
That's awesome. Breaking out in handcuffs! It's never been that bad for me, but everyone has their different breaking point. >:) If you believe in god, may he be with you.
The longest I ever made it was 3 1/2 years... still here, maybe I need to look at it again. Why else would I be reading this stuff?
Me too.
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