Alcohol (SD)

[lily.]

Alcohol.

Do you think it's good or bad?

Do you have any experience of alcoholism in your family or amongst your friends?

Do you think underage drinking is on the rise?

Do you think the pubs have a duty to stop the alcohol abuse in this country?

... discuss ...

[bonnie43uk]

i enjoy a chilled can of Fosters every evening!

That's enough for me!

[BigSister]

i dont bother if people want to drink or not but i personaly dont drink because i dont like the taste and i can have a coke or a J20 and be happy with it. I think it runs in the family though because my mum isnt a big drinker either. I do feel however that underage drinking is on the rise actually they were talking about this today on loose women and they were saying children as young as 5 were drinking wine in europe and they were also saying that half of it is telling children they cant drink so they will do it with their friends secretely if they say you can have it then usually they wont have it

[lily.]

I know some people who think it's funny to give their dog beer, or to give their child a sip of alcohol.

I personally do not find that funny at all and I wouldn't do it.

I enjoy a beer from time to time, but I'm such a lightweight that it literally is a beer. If I dare to open a second, I just fall asleep. :laugh:

Many of my friends and family enjoy a social drink but know when to stop. I probably drank more when I was under 16, mostly just to be rebellious. There wasn't the choice there is now though. The alcopops ets. We had to make do with a bottle of Thunderbird cider between 5 of us!

[easypeasy]

Do you think it's good or bad?
good as long as the drinker knows their limit

Do you have any experience of alcoholism in your family or amongst your friends?
yes, not nice.

Do you think underage drinking is on the rise?
for sure,kids are growing way too fast.

Do you think the pubs have a duty to stop the alcohol abuse in this country?
i think off-licenses are the problem.

[Lauren]

I think it's bad in large amounts, but to say it is "bad" in general I think is a misinformed opinion. Alcohol in small amounts can be helpful to the human body and can prevent things such as heart failure and reduce the risk of cancer.
HOWEVER - Many people do use this fact as an excuse to drink alcohol and deny alcoholism.

Personally, I drink alcohol, at the most once a week and this is usually when I am out with friends. Other times I may just have one drink during a pub lunch or something. When I am out with friends I drink alcohol (I've only been REALLY drunk once or twice), and I am well aware of the health risks of this, yet I will argue that it's my free choice and although not many people will agree with this - I'm not hurting anybody else.

I don't have much experience of alcoholism at all, but it's fair to say since I am a teenager I know a lot of people who binge drink most nights - but this is mainly for social reasons as opposed to an addiction.

Underage drinking is on the increase. It has always been around but I believe it keeps heightening in danger, and then lowering again. I didn't drink alcohol until I was 15/16 and although this is against the law - I know there's cases where children as young as 12 are drinking alcohol. ID restrictions are once again becoming an issue, and in recent times I think the media have kept an eye on binge drinking issues and so I believe the issue will continue being raised.

I don't think pubs have a duty to keep alcohol abuse under control. In the end, it's a pubs job to serve punters and if the customer is able to order their drinks fine, without causing a nuisance to others then I don't see why it should be a pubs responsibility to intervene with this.

[lily.]

I think that the underage drinking problem is something that needs addressed by the parents. I did it. I wasn't an angel, but I didn't have unlimited funds, so I couldn't do that much damage.

However, there were, and still are, kids who get handed money and told to p!ss off for a few hours, and the parents don't really care where they go or what they do. That's where the real problem is. I'm not saying my kids will be perfect, but I know that I have a responsibility to at least try to keep them on the straight and narrow. Unfortunately too many parents just don't care.

And, I agree with you Lauren. The pubs can't take the blame for people making bad choices.

Also, I do have experience with alcoholism and it's honestly the worst thing I have ever had to deal with in my close family/friends group.

[easypeasy]

the thing is alcahol is a deppressent not a stimulent, if somebody has a depressive personality they can do some very stupid things, ive seen that up close when i was a kid and it has left a mark on me.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by easypeasy
the thing is alcahol is a deppressent not a stimulent, if somebody has a depressive personality they can do some very stupid things, ive seen that up close when i was a kid and it has left a mark on me.

It can also interfere with perceptions of activities, and if people do not know their limits then once again this can lead to very dangerous situations where they cannot distinguish between right and wrong.

Although none of my family and friends have been affected by alcoholism my neighbour from my old house was an alcoholic and the things that happened in that house were terrible because when he has been drinking he wasn't aware when he was doing something wrong.

[andybigbro]

Alchohol

Alchohol is a a mixture of good or bad

Good if you can handle it and can have fun and enjoy yourself

Bad if yuo way too young cannot handle it and are addicted

[lily.]

Experts reckon some people have addictive personalities. So if they become alcoholics and recover from that, they will turn to another substance to feed their addiction. I'm not sure I'm wearing that to be honest.

Some people think that if a person gets hammered every night of the week, they are an alcoholic. Not the case. If the person can't get by without the drink, they are an alcoholic. If the person needs the drink to feel "normal", they are an alcoholic. I had to learn a lot about this condition a few years ago, and I sympathise with anyone with an alcoholic in their life.

However, I think that might be why I'm so anti-alcohol. Although I do take a drink now and again.. I do consider it to be "evil", and am always wary when I'm around drunk people.

[andybigbro]

Yeah it also always scary to be around drunk people lol

[The_Hitman]

Drinks ok but in moderation. Then you get the addicts who should stay away for their own good.

[lily.]

I agree hitman... unfortunately those kind of people seem to be unable to recognise that it's for "their own good", and continue to spiral into self-destruction.

[Princess]

Drink is fine as long as its in moderation. Same as everything really. All of friends drink and I only just had my first drink back in September. People start way too young these days though and drink just to get drunk which I find really silly.

[SiMoN!]

i think people should no there limet
i hardly drink unless at a party - if i am at home i just have coke :laugh:

as for underage drinking - i dont think it should be 18
the message i get it - whne your 16 you can have a baby but you cant drink :laugh:

[lily.]

I've always said that the age limits on stuff is pretty screwed up though. I mean, you can have a baby and get married at 16, but can't vote or drink til you're 18.

You are right simon.. it makes no sense.

[SiMoN!]

:shocked: i am right lol

it is stupid really - also is annoying when your at college and you not legal to drink

[Sunny_01]

Alcohol - hmm I personally love it and know my own limits and when to say enough. BUT not everyone does. Many people just have addictive personalities and end up alcoholics. It is a much harder addiction to get rid of than Heroin! you can stop Heroin and go cold turkey, yes it wouldnt be pretty but wouldnt kill you. However if you want to stop drinking it is very dangerous to try to just STOP! serious medical intervention is needed and someone has to be truly ready to go through that.

As for underage drinking, hell yes it is on the rise, I saw a young lambrini queen the other night lugging around a huge bottle of the stuff and she looked no more than 13 possibly even 12. My own teenage daughter has came in drunk once (dont they all) but explained to me the next day that she had really not liked the feeling of being out of control (like her mammy really a control freak!) I came down pretty hard on her in terms of a punishment but that bit she hated most was that I was disappointed in her.

I dont think there are any really easy answers but I certainly think that more information should be given at school about the risks of drinking. I think kids should be made aware of just how vulnerable they are when they are drunk!

As for pubs being held responsible, well I think that they should have a duty of care to stop serving people who are bladdered! but they wont or rarely will as it is how they make their money.

[andybigbro]

Yeah its a fun thing if you know your own limits

[Sophii3x]

Iv'e got pissed a few times because it's fun
Your only teenagers once

[Legend]

I only ever drink to get drunk, i never drink if i know i'm only staying out for an hour or so because i don't see the point. For me personally, i drink it everytime to get drunk. No matter how drunk i get, i'm always in control of myself and i am able to handle it.

I don't drink on street corners or anything like that, i hate walking past seeing them with there bottles of cider because they look like absolute tramps. I only drink at parties or when on a night out. Or in the house with family, again all to get drunk.

I personally enjoy being drunk and i love other people drunk because it makes people relax more.

On the other hand, people who can't handle their drink and are horrible with it are not good. On Friday night for example when i was in town, there must have been a man about 30ish and he was one of those 'nasty drunks' who walk around thinking the ale has turned them into Rocky Balboa (sp) over night and it scares some people seeing people like that. If everyone was in control of themselves with alcohol then it would be great but a lot aren't which spoil a lot of other peoples nights when they have to deal with them.

In the right hands, alcohol is GREAT. Wrong hands and it's not so great.

[Feral]

Do you think it's good or bad?

It's a drug like all the others - pros and cons to it all.

Do you have any experience of alcoholism in your family or amongst your friends?

Mother was an alkie (I'm over it!!!!)
Not a nice thing to have to see in your childhood, but has taught me alot of things, like not to use alcohol to hide behind your problems - should face up to them and deal with it in more constructive ways.

Do you think underage drinking is on the rise?

Yes!!!! But youngsters seem to have more money and less self esteem, and for some reason have sooo many problems (for a minority I know not all are like this)

Do you think the pubs have a duty to stop the alcohol abuse in this country?

Not the pubs responsibility, it's the individuals to know when to stop. I liked a drink when I was 18 - 20 , prob could call it binge drinking but got fed up with drinking till sick and feeling crap next day!!! Grew out of it.

I think it's more the behaviour of drinkers today. Me and my mates went down t' pub, drank staggered home.
Now it seems go to offie, buy loads of cheap booze, drink - wreck town, shout abuse at strangers, throw up, pee everywhere, get in fight, get arrested, stroll home cold at 4am.

Edit -- For a small minority.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Feral_One
Now it seems go to offie, buy loads of cheap booze, drink - wreck town, shout abuse at strangers, throw up, pee everywhere, get in fight, get arrested, stroll home cold at 4am.

I disagree. I do not know any young people that do that.

I do, however - see many middle aged people doing this more often than not.

There's a stereotypical view of teenagers and usually they're not true. I go to college and no-one I know goes to the offie to get cheap booze. We go to pubs & clubs. None of us get arrested, pee everywhere, fight.
So either you're in keeping with the judgmental view of teenagers that society/media has constructed - or you just live in the wrong area.

[Captain.Remy]

I think there is a good thing in England with Alcohol: you can't buy it before 18. In france, we can, I'm 17 and I can buy some alcohol in the supermarket or buy cigarets without the ID. I can go in nightclubs without my ID and drink alcohol as much as I want.
But in England, people drink more into their family. I've seen it with my english exchange, and with other families. I know the entire english people are not like that, but it's...strange lol.
It's not a question if alcohol is bad or not, the answer is different with the culture. European and Asian countries haven't the same opinion on the subject.

[~Kizwiz~]

From a young age I was introduced to alcohol. I was allowed a glass of wine with my sunday dinner and always got a bottle of babysham in my stocking at christmas. My parents believe in drinking responsibly and its worked. Yes as a teenager I drank to get drunk but its just a stage that most of us go through. Now I'm older i can say that i have only been really drunk about 3 times in the last year. I dont drink to get drunk now its nice to have a glass of wine when the kids go to bed or a cool beer but thats about it. I know my own limits, and that was learnt through trial and error :laugh: And after my brother got me drunk on red wine and cider to celebrate the birth of our niece i can safely say my limit was met and went way over what it should have been. I know when to stop because I dont like the feeling of being out of control.

Underage drinking is on the rise and i'm not sure what we can do about it. Come down hard on the shops that sell it without asking for ID?? I think its about money, the more money kids have the more they want. :laugh: Should we educate them in school?? i doubt thats going to happen. Kids wont listen.

Now as many of you have also said....... some people have addictive personalities. In one form or another this will manifest itself into an addiction. Be it alcohol, drugs, gambling, smoking, shopping or even sex but unfortunately its not until someone wants to help themselves that they can do anything about it.

Oh and yes I have known an alcoholic..... she was a very good friend of mine who I lost contact with when I moved away...... I tried to stop her but she was on a road to self distruction. She joked that she would never make 30.... she didnt. And there isnt a day that goes by that i dont think about her.

[Ella]

I drink whenever I go clubbing, Probably about once a week maybe twice. I know my limits now though, when I first started drinking I used to drink to much and then end up doing something embarrasing and feeling sick and ill and feeling like I wasted my money.

Now when I go out I know when to stop, I don't feel the need to get totally blitzed to have a good night, I just have a few drinks then it's off to the dance floor.

It's quite shocking to see some of the behaviour of people under the influence, Fighting, swearing general stupid behaviour. There the people that can't handle there booze.

I see kids on a Friday and Saturday night drinking on the streets, which is just a reminder of how easy it is for underage people to get hold of alcohol.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Sunny_01
..... My own teenage daughter has came in drunk once (dont they all) but explained to me the next day that she had really not liked the feeling of being out of control (like her mammy really a control freak!) I came down pretty hard on her in terms of a punishment but that bit she hated most was that I was disappointed in her.


2 points there I can relate to. I hate being out of control. I'm also a control freak.. LoL.. and, that's another reason I don't like to get rat-ar$ed drunk.

Also, the part about disappointment. I got caught drinking when I was about 14 or so, and my mum made me feel so bad. She slapped me in the face first, but that didn't hurt half as much as the way she looked at me for the following few days. She had that look that said a thousand words, and I hated myself for having done it.

I guess I have all this to look forward to. My girl is 10 this year, so in a few years, I'm sure I will have to do the "look" on her... :rolleyes:

[SiMoN!]

Originally posted by Elz_Belz
I drink whenever I go clubbing, Probably about once a week maybe twice. I know my limits now though, when I first started drinking I used to drink to much and then end up doing something embarrasing and feeling sick and ill and feeling like I wasted my money.


oh yer bob tole me about them nights
some funny storys

[BigSister]

Not to say I havent drunk i had some champagne at millenuim night i think i was 13 but i didnt like it but i do like white wine its just IF i have to have it i will i just wouldnt choose it over a coke/ lemonade or aj20

[Ella]

Originally posted by SiMoN!
Originally posted by Elz_Belz
I drink whenever I go clubbing, Probably about once a week maybe twice. I know my limits now though, when I first started drinking I used to drink to much and then end up doing something embarrasing and feeling sick and ill and feeling like I wasted my money.


oh yer bob tole me about them nights
some funny storys

LOL! Ohh I tell you, Bob is a right one! He has some stories to tell :laugh2:

Back to the topic lol

The only thing that really bothers me about alcohol when I drink is the fact that it makes me smoke loads more then I usually do without it. And i'm sure a lot of people would agree with me on that one.

Can anyone explain why this is?!

[BigSister]

im not sure elz but i do know people who drink then decide to have a cigarette i donmt do this but i do know people like my friend used to do that

[Emilee]

well underage drinking is deffinatly on the rise.
I do enjoy getting p****d before going to a night club. It makes the night more fun.
I think it is a good thing in moderation, but you know what teenagers are like. lol.

[lily.]

Originally posted by Elz_Belz
The only thing that really bothers me about alcohol when I drink is the fact that it makes me smoke loads more then I usually do without it. And i'm sure a lot of people would agree with me on that one.

Can anyone explain why this is?!

I think it's more to do with the "social" situation. I used to do it as well, but even when I was the designated driver for the night, therefore stayed sober, I still managed to get through a couple of 20-decks before the night was over.

Then I would get up the next morning with a mouth like an ashtray... Bleurgh!

[Siouxsie]

Well i love a drink have to admit it. I dont smoke so having a sip or two is my treat. I have a couple of glasses of vodka and tonic most nights. Its my way of winding down after a hectic day at work, but I am definately not an alcoholic

[Crimson Dynamo]

I love a drink but it has to be treated with caution if you are a certain type of person. The fact that an alcoholic can be a tramp in the gutter or a neurosurgeon tells you that its a tricky business and very little is known about it.

[Nedusa]

Alcohol is a legal addictive depressant drug, cheap and freely available in this Country.

A social lubricant it will never be banned cos the masses would revolt and think of the loss of revenue to the Govt.

I drink mostly wine and vodka but am careful not to overdo it. I hate hangovers so this pretty much keeps my habit in check.

I'm not in my twenties any more but even when I was never did I drink the way the youngsters are drinking today. Binge drinking is now the norm in our city centres and it is becoming a major problem.

The NHS struggles to cope with the victims of this epidemic and the real problems will only be truly felt in another 20 years time when the more serious health problems start to appear.

The Govt struggles to come up with a plan or strategy to address this increasing problem.

So overall I think alcohol is a good thing like most things in moderation.

Yes I think underage drinking is rising steadily and no I don't think the responsibility to deal with this problem lies with Pubs.

Finally, yes my father was a heavy drinker and we all suffered due to this. those memories never fade so I will always have a healthy respect for this drug.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Alcohol is a legal addictive depressant drug, cheap and freely available in this Country.

A social lubricant it will never be banned cos the masses would revolt and think of the loss of revenue to the Govt.

I drink mostly wine and vodka but am careful not to overdo it. I hate hangovers so this pretty much keeps my habit in check.

I'm not in my twenties any more but even when I was never did I drink the way the youngsters are drinking today. Binge drinking is now the norm in our city centres and it is becoming a major problem.

The NHS struggles to cope with the victims of this epidemic and the real problems will only be truly felt in another 20 years time when the more serious health problems start to appear.

The Govt struggles to come up with a plan or strategy to address this increasing problem.

So overall I think alcohol is a good thing like most things in moderation.

Yes I think underage drinking is rising steadily and no I don't think the responsibility to deal with this problem lies with Pubs.

Finally, yes my father was a heavy drinker and we all suffered due to this. those memories never fade so I will always have a healthy respect for this drug.


Wine and Vodka is a potent cocktail you should try something less potent or drink one or the other:nono:

[Nedusa]

Wine and Vodka is a potent cocktail you should try something less potent or drink one or the other:nono:

I know......but I get bored with wine after a while and Vodka is quite pure and doesn't lead to bad hangovers...!!!

[Josy]

Alcohol can be very dangerous if not taken in moderation, people get addicted and dependent on it especially with how cheap it is these days, it's a killer to certain people and it also destroys entire families.

I don't think it should be advertised as much as it is on tv/radio etc either, I mean for every single holiday, season, occasion etc they roll out the drink adverts as if it's got to be a big part of every little thing we do.

Certain tv shows seem to glorify it too, kids end up thinking it's cool to go out and get absolutely pissed out of their minds.

I'm not against drinking in moderation if that's what people want to do but I do think the adverts should be limited and the prices should increase.

[arista]

Alcohol.

Do you think it's good or bad?

Do you have any experience of alcoholism in your family or amongst your friends?

Do you think underage drinking is on the rise?

Do you think the pubs have a duty to stop the alcohol abuse in this country?

... discuss ...


Its normal.
You need to know your limit

[Crimson Dynamo]

Its normal.
You need to know your limit

What is your limit Arista?

[arista]

What is your limit Arista?


I do not Drink

[Crimson Dynamo]

I do not Drink

never?


have you ever?

[arista]

never?


have you ever?



Yes I have.

I have moved to a Higher Level of Getting High
without a Fake God , Booze or Drugs

[Crimson Dynamo]

Yes I have.

I have moved to a Higher Level of Getting High
without a Fake God , Booze or Drugs

Oh, your a Scientologist?

[arista]

Oh, your a Scientologist?


No they are Fake Church
and its money making scam.

[Kizzy]

I'm an ex alcoholic, it was more of a bad habit I guess, red wine is not the way to wind down.

[Crimson Dynamo]

I'm an ex alcoholic, it was more of a bad habit I guess, red wine is not the way to wind down.

How much were you drinking?

[Kizzy]

How much were you drinking?

Too much, :laugh:

[the truth]

like many things we enjoy too much, it ends u being bad for you. its better if you can truly enjoy a good life without the constant urge for stimulants. hype , peer pressure, advertising etc are all responsible for pushing booze on us all........

the peer ressure "what did you do last weekend? oh I got mashed up mate , kicked off , smashed up the place, shagged her behind his back , it was awesome,,,,what did you do?
I drank tea and wrote a novel?
eh?

ever heard a conversation like that on mainstream tv ? me neither

[lostalex]

I have addiction as a disease in general. Alcohol, drugs, food, sex it doesn't matter, i just always go to extremes.

I love alcohol, but i definitely have a very unhealthy relationship with it. Pretty much all of the relationships i have in my life are unhealthy.

Moderation is impossible for me.

[Ammi]

I have addiction as a disease in general. Alcohol, drugs, food, sex it doesn't matter, i just always go to extremes.

I love alcohol, but i definitely have a very unhealthy relationship with it. Pretty much all of the relationships i have in my life are unhealthy.

Moderation is impossible for me.


..:hug:..I don't know if therapy would help, I don't mean specifically for alcohol or anything but more a cognitive behaviour therapy, to understand your addictive personality in general and then in understanding it and why you do things/react in certain ways, it can help you to control it and overcome it...maybe you've tried something like that before..?...

[lostalex]

..:hug:..I don't know if therapy would help, I don't mean specifically for alcohol or anything but more a cognitive behaviour therapy, to understand your addictive personality in general and then in understanding it and why you do things/react in certain ways, it can help you to control it and overcome it...maybe you've tried something like that before..?...

yea i've had plenty of therapy. psychologists, psychiatrists, medication, rehabs...

I'm definitely better than i was, it helps, but there is no cure. I think addiction is like autism in the sense that you can't cure it, but you can learn skills to help you deal with it better.

[Ammi]

yea i've had plenty of therapy. psychologists, psychiatrists, medication, rehabs...

I'm definitely better than i was, it helps, but there is no cure. I think addiction is like autism in the sense that you can't cure it, but you can learn skills to help you deal with it better.


..yeah, you're absolutely right, there is no 'cure' as such, there are only skills you can learn to control it and that's such a difficult thing to do because you almost have to create a 'new life', where the addiction doesn't play a part of importance in it because it's like a little demon/devil in a way and always tries to push itself to the top of your list of priorities because it doesn't want you to control it, it hates to lose..?..and in itself it kind of creates all the situations that are perfect for a dependency/addiction to continue and keep you trapped...so that makes it so difficult to get away from it/creating a new lifestyle is hard for even the strongest person and addictions do weaken you in a lot of ways...but don't give up Alex, because I know you're strong and I know how tenacious you are as well..:laugh:...one day you're going to kick that little devil's ass and I'm going to smile when you do...

[Jords]

yea i've had plenty of therapy. psychologists, psychiatrists, medication, rehabs...

I'm definitely better than i was, it helps, but there is no cure. I think addiction is like autism in the sense that you can't cure it, but you can learn skills to help you deal with it better.

Thats where your problem lies.

My gdad was a heavy addict for alcohol and cigs when he was younger and told if he carried on he would die.

He stopped.

My parents just recently quit smoking after 20+ years with their own will power. Took my dad longer (he went on an e-cig before coming off completely).

Addiction is very treatable, you just need to want to treat it.

[Kizzy]

I think some have a lower tolerance level and are more susceptible to addiction, you see it running through families that could be an indicator... or it just be a learned coping mechanism?
With smoking I stopped due to the children asking me, and I felt guilty due to the cost anyway. Drinking was a harder one to kick and it wasn't until it began to affect my heath I stopped.

[the truth]

its purely down to greed and will power

[Josy]

its purely down to greed and will power

Well it's really not, some people become so dependent on it that even if they desperately wanted to stop their bodies are so needy of it that it doesn't let them, if they don't have a drink they end up having seizures.