Drinking

**tnthub** · 05-02-2009, 08:28 AM

I quit drinking many years ago.

You are only an alcoholic when your choices concerning booze become a problem in your head or in your life... At that point your "choices" are likely colored due to alcoholism.

Anyone can screw up and get a dui, some people screw up and have multiple dui's... They likely have a problem.

Many people like to drink and have a good time. If you are drinking and having a good time, but cannot make your
(insert specific item here) payments you might have a problem.

If you fail to show up at school to pick up your kid because you are hammered you might have a problem...

If you lose your job because you got hammered and didn't show up you might have a problem.

I someone tells you that you took off your clothes, ran naked into the police station, and tried to hump a bench in the waiting area while asking uniformed officers for a smoke, you might have a problem.

If you start drinking in Vermont and the next thing you remember is waking up in Florida staring at a mini mouse statue with a an extra large size female panties around you head, and remember nothing in between, you might have a problem.

**Detroit Power** · 05-02-2009, 09:52 AM

< does not have a problem

**issues** · 05-02-2009, 10:16 AM

i gave it all up last august because i was getting out of control. i guess you could say i did have a problem

**michaelinchains** · 05-02-2009, 12:31 PM

for the most part i drink daily,maybe 3-4 beers a day during the work week & the weekend ill have a few more.i tend to drink more during football season & especially in the summer months..we pack a big cooler & go in the backyard to our pool.or if were going out to eat or whatever ill have a 7&7 or a few beers w/ dinner

**Popeye1970** · 05-02-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by tnthub

I quit drinking many years ago.

You are only an alcoholic when your choices concerning booze become a problem in your head or in your life... At that point your "choices" are likely colored due to alcoholism.

Anyone can screw up and get a dui, some people screw up and have multiple dui's... They likely have a problem.

Many people like to drink and have a good time. If you are drinking and having a good time, but cannot make your
(insert specific item here) payments you might have a problem.

If you fail to show up at school to pick up your kid because you are hammered you might have a problem...

If you lose your job because you got hammered and didn't show up you might have a problem.

I someone tells you that you took off your clothes, ran naked into the police station, and tried to hump a bench in the waiting area while asking uniformed officers for a smoke, you might have a problem.

If you start drinking in Vermont and the next thing you remember is waking up in Florida staring at a mini mouse statue with a an extra large size female panties around you head, and remember nothing in between, you might have a problem.

I agree, but all the things you mentioned haven't happened yet....

**tnthub** · 05-02-2009, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Popeye1970

I agree, but all the things you mentioned haven't happened yet....

So whats the problem? The bottom line is if you think you might have a problem, probably you do. The question then becomes how to deal with it.

Having a problem with alcohol isn't like comparing the number or beers or drinks, ultimately it is in your head. Most people who do not have a problem do not even think about having a problem...

**TARZAN** · 05-02-2009, 01:37 PM

I don't drink on a daily basis or anything....but my friend got divorced, he just moved in his new place, and he's having a moving in party tonight.....so yes, I'll probably drink enough Scotch to drop a flying elbow on the beer pong table tonight....twill be epic.

-Will

**Mr. Luos** · 05-02-2009, 06:40 PM

I have backed WAY off with my diet.

Drink heavily maybe once a month.
A few beers a week, that's it.

**hotpocket** · 05-02-2009, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Popeye1970

That's what I thought too when I was reading through some of the posts...it kind of relieves my conscience....No alcohol is not a solution (german pop song

i've never had alcohol.

**0rion** · 05-03-2009, 01:11 PM

I don't drink often but when I do I'm on a mission from god. There has to be something going on too. I don't just drink to have a beer. Last weekend a bunch of us went camping (~12-15 guys). I ran the smoker for 2 days and drank a case and a half of beer. I had an 18 average over the 2 days.

**Spaz** · 05-03-2009, 01:17 PM

i drink about 8 - 12 beers a day... some times i don't have a beer for a few days just to let my system clean out and my liver repair... never bugs me not to drink though... albeit it is nice to come home from work plop down on the sofa and crack open a cold one... on a side note... i don't drink to get drunk... in fact i hate being drunk... i don't like not having full control of my self... so that said and the amount i drink it would take me a shit load to get drunk... any one who has been able to hang out with me would tell you i drink like a fish but i'm still able to maintain my integrity and motor functions...

**hamburger68** · 05-03-2009, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

on a side note... i don't drink to get drunk... in fact i hate being drunk... i don't like not having full control of my self... so that said and the amount i drink it would take me a shit load to get drunk... any one who has been able to hang out with me would tell you i drink like a fish but i'm still able to maintain my integrity and motor functions...

funny, i work the same way (sipping on my single malt right now), i hate loosing control, that's why i don't do drugs (or rollercoasters, as a matter of fact). i like being buzzed, i hate being shitfaced drunk.

**c5z28** · 05-03-2009, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by hamburger68

funny, i work the same way (sipping on my single malt right now), i hate loosing control, that's why i don't do drugs (or rollercoasters, as a matter of fact). i like being buzzed, i hate being shitfaced drunk.

Your German, I would probably be buzzed if I had the worlds greater beers on tap!

**cham** · 05-03-2009, 06:10 PM

Before my divorce, two or three times a month.

After. Four or five times a week.

**408WS6** · 05-03-2009, 06:25 PM

I'm cutting back alot. I used to drink at least a 6 pack on the weekend, sometimes more. But I would drink it one right after another, that was the problem. During the week I had very little if any, but I'm trying to cut back to zero for just six months and see if my life improves. I've had friends that cut out drinking all together and they say everything gets easier. So thats what I'm looking for....I'm 42 years old and its about time I grow up...

**big hammer** · 05-03-2009, 06:45 PM

i like getting half cut once a week

**1 RedHot TransAm** · 05-03-2009, 08:46 PM

I drink 6-8 beers daily only at night when I get home, but I maintain, I hate getting drunk I just like a slight buzz after a hard days work. I dont smoke or eat alot a junk food so beer is my guilty pleasure.

**tnthub** · 05-04-2009, 04:30 AM

I was born in 1958 and my Dad served in WW2 and Korea.

Every night when he got home from work around 5:30 he would make cocktails for my Mom and himself. They often had two drinks while my Mom finished cooking dinner. Most of the families in my neighborhood followed the same type of ritual.

On many weekends there would be some sort of party at someones house and the adults would get together, play cards, music, and drink.

When us kids got oilder the parties morphed into family and neighborhood picnics anywhere from someone's back yard, to the local beach, the local ski hill, someone's cottage, or sometimes a canoe trip...

My Dad was usually the bartender and usually managed (according to others) to drink a fair amount yet keep his head about himself. My mom would stop after a couple of drinks. My uncle Bud would have a couple of beers, my Uncle Henry would have six beers, and so on...

There was nothing to hide and no shame in having a few drinks.

Today everyone gets so stressed about drinking too much, or being unsociable, or whatever... We have labels for everything and there always seems to be something wrong with someone...

Life was far more simple back then...

Generally only one parent worked, one parent stayed home with the kids, and even my Dad, who was a door to door insurance salesman could make a good living, afford to buy a house, have some fun, and put some savings in the bank.

By the time he died in 1982 my Dad (at the age of 58) had paid off a custom built home on the banks of a beautiful river, paid for me to go to college, paid off all his cars, had over 100k in savings, and much more in life insurance which rolled into a trust for my Mom when he passed on.

She never had to work and for three years while the trust was established she had all the money she needed (enough to even pay for my brother's first few years of college).

My Dad liked to drink. He got hammered sometimes but he could hold his booze and generally knew when to say when.

Today someone might say he had a problem but I know better. He enjoyed drinking and he did not abuse it. His priorities were his family, his job, the welfare of his neighborhood and community, and he was successful at work and worked to live rather than lived to work.

The bottom line is he ran his own life to his own values. If he was alcoholic his values would have had booze first on his list of priorities.

If anyone thinks they might have a problem, see your doctor. If not... Don't worry about it and party on.

**JHayesLS1** · 05-04-2009, 05:23 AM

I don't have a drinking problem unless there is nothing to drink.

On the real though I drink maybe 4 beers in a week. MGD mostly. But lately I have gone into drinking Greygoose. I mix with OJ and a splash of pineapple juice. It's delicious.

**408WS6** · 05-04-2009, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by tnthub

I was born in 1958 and my Dad served in WW2 and Korea.

Every night when he got home from work around 5:30 he would make cocktails for my Mom and himself. They often had two drinks while my Mom finished cooking dinner. Most of the families in my neighborhood followed the same type of ritual.

On many weekends there would be some sort of party at someones house and the adults would get together, play cards, music, and drink.

When us kids got oilder the parties morphed into family and neighborhood picnics anywhere from someone's back yard, to the local beach, the local ski hill, someone's cottage, or sometimes a canoe trip...

My Dad was usually the bartender and usually managed (according to others) to drink a fair amount yet keep his head about himself. My mom would stop after a couple of drinks. My uncle Bud would have a couple of beers, my Uncle Henry would have six beers, and so on...

There was nothing to hide and no shame in having a few drinks.

Today everyone gets so stressed about drinking too much, or being unsociable, or whatever... We have labels for everything and there always seems to be something wrong with someone...

Life was far more simple back then...

Generally only one parent worked, one parent stayed home with the kids, and even my Dad, who was a door to door insurance salesman could make a good living, afford to buy a house, have some fun, and put some savings in the bank.

By the time he died in 1982 my Dad (at the age of 58) had paid off a custom built home on the banks of a beautiful river, paid for me to go to college, paid off all his cars, had over 100k in savings, and much more in life insurance which rolled into a trust for my Mom when he passed on.

She never had to work and for three years while the trust was established she had all the money she needed (enough to even pay for my brother's first few years of college).

My Dad liked to drink. He got hammered sometimes but he could hold his booze and generally knew when to say when.

Today someone might say he had a problem but I know better. He enjoyed drinking and he did not abuse it. His priorities were his family, his job, the welfare of his neighborhood and community, and he was successful at work and worked to live rather than lived to work.

The bottom line is he ran his own life to his own values. If he was alcoholic his values would have had booze first on his list of priorities.

If anyone thinks they might have a problem, see your doctor. If not... Don't worry about it and party on.

I really like what you said there. The problem is some people cannot manage alcohol. My grandfather was one of them. I didn't know him that well personally, but I do know that he totally threw his life away because of alcohol. Here was a man who graduated from medical school with honors, but started drinking soon after. He had opportunities that most people only dream about. When he died in 1980 (liver gave out) he had nothing. No money, and everything he owned fit in a suitcase and worth about as much as the suitcase itself. It was a very sad funeral for my dad. I was just a boy then, but I remember my father fighting back the tears at his funeral (and I have never seen dad cry since then), not as much because he lost his father, but more for what could have been. It messed up my dad so much he refuses to talk about any aspect of his childhood, and specifically refuses to talk about his father. He simply says "I don't really want to talk about it". He refuses to even touch alcohol, and has had lead a very successful life because of it.

Alcohol is something you really don't want to mess around with. I was much worse when I was younger. I've been so drunk I've passed out and woke up with people (that I didn't know) standing over me in a hotel wondering what to do with me. I've woke up at 6:00am in the morning sitting in my car in the garage with the garage door open not remembering driving home or any of the events the night before. I've woke up several times with puke on the side of my bed not remember getting sick. When I was in my 20's I definitely had a problem. None of that stuff has happened to me lately, but it has affected some aspects of my life. I think I'm just one of those people who shouldn't drink period.