[~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 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. 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...

[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!

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[Nedusa]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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 ...

Its normal.
You need to know your limit

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by arista

Its normal.
You need to know your limit

What is your limit Arista?

[arista]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

What is your limit Arista?

I do not Drink

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by arista

I do not Drink

never?


have you ever?

[arista]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

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]

Originally Posted by arista

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]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

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]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

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]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

How much were you drinking?

Too much,