[andreas_g4]

The current Hasselhoff drunk thing made me think about the high probability that almost everybody has experienced the problems of alcoholism by himself. In my case, the mother of my ex-grilfriend was a heavy alcoholic, and the mother of my neighbours was, too. The latter one killed herself last year after the alcohol problem led to the end of her marriage. I knew her since I was one year old.

What impresses me with alcoholism is that it is spread from the lowest to the highest social class, no matter how smart/dumb/rich/poor a person is. Both mentioned families wre middle class, no one would have guessed it from the outside.

Since neither my parents or myself drink alcohol and I still know the problems implicated by alcoholism first person (my ex's mother was going to burn herself in the garden), I was wondering whether this is like for others or not.

[Atheist]

My mother was (she's deceased) an alcoholic.... but far be it from anyone in my family to admit to it. She was what they call a "functioning alcoholic". She never missed a day of work and performed exceptionally on her job... but the minute she got home from work, out came the whiskey bottle.

[imitchellg5]

My brother's mom is an alcoholic. She's always drunk. She's a slut. She's a child abuser. She's never there for him in his time of need. All in all, she's the world's worst mom. I want to get her a card that says "World's worst mom" for mother's day.

[Chuckit]

Most of the alcoholics I've known had much worse addictions besides.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Most of the alcoholics I've known had much worse addictions besides.

That's an interesting statement. Do you mean hard drugs?

[centerchannel68]

I live in WI. I grew up in Madison. I now live in Milwaukee. Of course I drink a lot. I'm not an alchy though, becuase it doesnt' affect my life negatively.

[Kevin]

Someone close to me has a mother that is an alcoholic.

Sad really.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4 

That's an interesting statement. Do you mean hard drugs?

Yeah, lots of hard drugs. I should clarify that I don't mean anyone real close to me. I'm thinking of friends of family members. My actual family isn't really big on drinking or anything, really.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Yeah, lots of hard drugs. I should clarify that I don't mean anyone real close to me.

Interesting, the people who I knew that suffered from alcoholism never touched any other drugs besides pharmaceuticals, they probably wouldn't have known what to do with it.

[powerbook867]

I've known multiple alcohalics over the years. Most were highly functional, but when you get closer to them, it's easy to identify when they are/are not drunk.

I drink regularly, but it's social for the most part (2-4 beers tops)...When I was in the military, I used to take "breaks" from drinking to make sure I wasn't dependant on the booze...partied hard there, but I'll write that off to being young and dumb.

The people I've known have not moved onto hard drugs to my knowledge, but I could see it as a possibility with a couple of them.

[IceEnclosure]

I know a few. I also know a couple of functional-type alcoholics. They're really not "themselves" until they've had a drink or three. A longtime co-worker performs at his best with a few drinks in him. Occasionally he'll take it too far and gain negative attention(like being asked if he's drunk by his boss).

I have a drink about two nights a week, and usually only one of those nights do I indulge further(2+ drinks). My days of super-drinking are long gone.

[OldManMac]

Alcohol is the most consumed drug there is, and in most places it's legal. It would make sense that almost everyone is affected by it in some way or other. I had a cousin die from complications of alcoholism a couple of years ago, who had everything to live for; a wonderful family, including grandchildren, a great devoted husband, financial security, but it wasn't enough to keep her going past 62.

My next door neighbor is a very friendly guy, who always invites me over when I'm outdoors. He's got a big pole barn, where he's set up a little corner with a couch, some chairs and a fridge, that's always full of beer. He's 8 years younger than I, but looks ten years older (I'm almost 60), with very wrinkled skin (he smokes like a smokestack as well; I don't). If I'm not busy, and I go over, the very first thing he asks is if I want a "nice cold beer," which he always has in his hand. He has a grown son and grandson, and they, along with lots of his friends, are always over, especially on weekends. They love to "party" and someone is always bringing beer to these events. We were talking the other day, and he asked if I had met a neighbor a few houses down, whom I hadn't met yet, as I'm new to the neighborhood. He told me that he thought the guy was "weird," because he didn't drink beer (I drink maybe six in a month)!

[centerchannel68]

Originally Posted by KarlG 

Alcohol is the most consumed drug there is,

Wrong. Caffeine is.

[abbaZaba]

Originally Posted by KarlG 

My next door neighbor is a very friendly guy, who always invites me over when I'm outdoors. He's got a big pole barn, where he's set up a little corner with a couch, some chairs and a fridge, that's always full of beer. He's 8 years younger than I, but looks ten years older (I'm almost 60), with very wrinkled skin (he smokes like a smokestack as well; I don't). If I'm not busy, and I go over, the very first thing he asks is if I want a "nice cold beer," which he always has in his hand. He has a grown son and grandson, and they, along with lots of his friends, are always over, especially on weekends. They love to "party" and someone is always bringing beer to these events. We were talking the other day, and he asked if I had met a neighbor a few houses down, whom I hadn't met yet, as I'm new to the neighborhood. He told me that he thought the guy was "weird," because he didn't drink beer (I drink maybe six in a month)!

that doesn't sound like an alcoholic

[Jawbone54]

My best friend has drifted into alcoholism.

Started as a social drinker, but now he sits alone in his truck and drinks, either in the woods or his driveway. He's a brilliant guy with an engineer's mind and hopes to break into the PGA Tour (if he continues to improve at his current rate, it's entirely possible), but for some reason he's picked up this habit. I think he does it in order to overcome his social awkwardness. Girls always comment on how he looks and acts like someone they'd love to be with, but he can't overcome his lack of confidence, which ends things before they even get started.

[Railroader]

My brother is a severe alcoholic. You can go over there at 8 am and he's got a 40 oz. open. He's lost a few jobs and other opportunities due to alcohol related issues.

My dad is a functioning alcoholic. He has 6-8 beers a night and it doesn't affect him. He's the same with or without. But get some hard liquor in him and he's "different". I can always tell when he's been drinking anything but beer.

I quit drinking just before Thanksgiving last year. Not a single "urge" or any particular cravings. I did pour out the rest of a keg I had in my kegerator (2-3 cups) and the smell was heavenly, but I didn't crave it. And, I have noticed a bit of budget bonus. I have been investing it in camera gear instead.

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

I'm not an alchy though, becuase it doesnt' affect my life negatively.

Is that the definition of an alcoholic to you? Because I've known people who have drank VERY heavily all their lives and couldn't live without it who have never had it affect their lives negatively. I'd call them alcoholics.

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

Wrong. Caffeine is.

You're correct, but I was speaking in terms of a drug that causes severe problems.

[OldManMac]

Originally Posted by abbaZaba 

that doesn't sound like an alcoholic

Someone who drinks habitually, day in and day out, is an alcoholic; they may be a functioning alcoholic, but they are an alcoholic nonetheless. Every time I talk to this guy, he reeks of beer, even on the rare occasion when he doesn't have one in his hand. He's an alcoholic.

[ghporter]

AA considers anyone an alcoholic if the alcohol controls the person's life rather than the person, and nothing the person has done him or herself has corrected that. KarlG, habitual drinking may cause alcohol dependence or even addiction, but "alcoholism" is a different thing. With no real responsibilities and nobody to be responsible to or for, someone could indeed drink all day and all night and not be an alcoholic. If that person SUFFERS from his or her drinking and still drinks, if the person has tried to stop and can't, if they are hurting others with their drinking, THEN they are likely alcoholic.

Go visit an open AA meeting sometime. You'll see that alcoholism is something very different from "being a drunk."

[G4ME]

i checked no


buy isn't denial a sign?

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by G4ME 

i checked no


buy isn't denial a sign?

What's your answer to those questions? Have you ever thought you should stop drinking as much? Do you take an "eye opener" in the morning? Have you suffered a serious financial problem due to your drinking? Etc..

[G4ME]

I have def thought i should stop drinking as much, and I have.

Once a week I might have 4-10+ beers, but after that I have no desire the rest of the time. Only time I have wanted an eye opener was on a vacation and trying to cure a hangover. Financial problem? well seeing i don't have money to buy beer i don't buy beer, haven't gotten into any sort of trouble with booze, but have had a few close calls.

[andreas_g4]

I don't fully understand the metaphor "eye opener". Does it mean a drink or coke or coffee?

[G4ME]

a drink in the morning to get your day going, at work I sometimes take a sample or two of that days filter run, but i guess you could count that as part of the job.

[Rumor]

And here I just got home from a beerfest...

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

And here I just got home from a beerfest...

Since you still can handle posting, you're a functioning alcoholic, at least.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

My brother is a severe alcoholic. You can go over there at 8 am and he's got a 40 oz. open. He's lost a few jobs and other opportunities due to alcohol related issues.

My dad is a functioning alcoholic. He has 6-8 beers a night and it doesn't affect him. He's the same with or without. But get some hard liquor in him and he's "different". I can always tell when he's been drinking anything but beer.

The relative ease many people are willing talk about that they have people with alcohol problems in their family/circle of friends can be seen as an idicator of how widespread that problem is.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4 

The relative ease many people are willing talk about that they have people with alcohol problems in their family/circle of friends can be seen as an idicator of how widespread that problem is.

I don't think your premise supports your conclusion.

[smacintush]

My mother is an alcoholic, though she has chilled out now that she is in her 60's.

My step dad is a functioning alcoholic.

My Uncle was a rather sever alcoholic, heroine and pill addict who died from a drug alcohol mix at 43 years old.

Another uncle (brother to the previous) was an alcoholic and pill addict who died from a pain killer/alcohol mix at 29 years old.

My aunt (sister to the previous two uncles) was an alcoholic, cocaine addict and pill addict who died from a drug/alcohol mix three weeks after the latter uncle above's death.

My grandpa (the above's father) was a rather severe alcoholic during most of his life but he managed to sort of recover as he got old.

My brother is an alcoholic, and daily pot abuser.

My sister is what I would call a functioning alcoholic.

My dad (who is now dead) was a rather severe alcoholic.

My dad's dad and mom were both severe alcoholics.

My dad's brother is a "recovered" alcoholic. (if that is the right term, it's been years and years AFAIK)

My wife's dad is a "recovered" alcoholic.

Her oldest brother is a functioning alcoholic

Her other brother is an alcoholic and meth addict.

Gosh I hope I didn't leave anyone out…

[G4ME]

the branches don't go to far from that family tree

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

I don't think your premise supports your conclusion.

It does. If the problem was a rare phenomenon, less people would be willing to talk about it. But since so many people do know somebody with those problems, one usually is met with understanding.

Is is a good thing people can talk about it. It is a bad thing that it often gets the "Oh, you, too" reaction. That's what I mean…

[Laminar]

My parents don't drink, and the most alcohol I've had in 20 years and 358 days of existence is half a glass of wine to celebrate a friend leaving for Italy last semester. My older sister drank in high school, which led to her and her friends being disqualified from playing in their last few volleyball games, ruining their chance at a title. She drank in college, which led to a drunk guy trying to pick her up at a party and falling over backwards, smashing her head on the edge of a counter and warranting an overnight hospital stay and 70 stitches.
I have some cousins that drink (and who knows what else) that have been in and out of marriages and prison, and have a bunch of kids with all different people. My roommate's dad used to be a functioning alcoholic. He lost his first wife about 8 years ago because of it, shaped up and got remarried a few years back, but fell back into it. He went to a treatment center for a while, but fell right back and lost his second wife. Last I heard he was in the hospital and might not make it to the end of the year. He seemed to have everything going for him too...nice house, 6 figure income, a couple Infinities in the garage, etc.

[Dakarʒ]

Wow, talk about bunching everything up one side of the karma spectrum.

[osiris]

A few alcoholics in my family.
Plus a few who become complete assholes after a few drinks (I hate drunks!)

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4 

It does. If the problem was a rare phenomenon, less people would be willing to talk about it. But since so many people do know somebody with those problems, one usually is met with understanding.

Is is a good thing people can talk about it. It is a bad thing that it often gets the "Oh, you, too" reaction. That's what I mean…

No. It does not.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by Railroader 

No. It does not.

ok.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by andreas_g4 

ok.

Railrowned!

[DeRaiIroader]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

Railrowned!

That's my cousin.

[andreas_g4]

Originally Posted by osiris 

A few alcoholics in my family.
Plus a few who become complete assholes after a few drinks (I hate drunks!)

You're right. I can't see why some people deny those the responsibility for their actions and behaviour. If one knows how he is when drunk, and still drinks, he is responsible.

[lpkmckenna]

I had to stop drinking to fight depression. I don't miss it. I also tried to quit caffeine, but wasn't successful.

[PB2K]

Alcohol is good. As long as you don't take too much of it, like everything else in life.

sometimes people are used to have a good time when drinking. when they have a bad time they still drink because it makes them feel better, those people have a problem and are prone to alcoholism.

just a real life example
My friend shared a house with a true alcoholic. The man had a decent job at a school that ended around 1500, then he would go to the pub and get drunk, go home, sleep and at about 2100 he would go back to the pub and get drunk again. This man managed to be drunk twice a day but not let it interfere with his job. (he didn't have any alcohol in his home, ever, all money went straight to the pub)

another example :
A colleague of mine works parttime at a car rental company. He has a colleague who is a true alcoholic, who drinks even at work. this man has his holidays on camping sites and tries to stack more empty beer crates around his tent every year. This man lost his wife to alcoholism and says he has nothing to live for anyway.

and example number 3
Brewery Heineken had a policy that employees could drink free beer after 1600. An employee sued Heineken because the company made it too easy for him to become an alcoholic. he would save up the free beers in his hidden (illegal) fridge so he could start drinking at 1100 in the morning.

On a friday night I can drink myself silly too, sometimes i just need a good binge It wouldnt attract me to do it a couple of times a week. I have work to do.

[MOTHERWELL]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

My parents don't drink, and the most alcohol I've had in 20 years and 358 days of existence is half a glass of wine to celebrate a friend leaving for Italy last semester. My older sister drank in high school, which led to her and her friends being disqualified from playing in their last few volleyball games, ruining their chance at a title. She drank in college, which led to a drunk guy trying to pick her up at a party and falling over backwards, smashing her head on the edge of a counter and warranting an overnight hospital stay and 70 stitches.
I have some cousins that drink (and who knows what else) that have been in and out of marriages and prison, and have a bunch of kids with all different people. My roommate's dad used to be a functioning alcoholic. He lost his first wife about 8 years ago because of it, shaped up and got remarried a few years back, but fell back into it. He went to a treatment center for a while, but fell right back and lost his second wife. Last I heard he was in the hospital and might not make it to the end of the year. He seemed to have everything going for him too...nice house, 6 figure income, a couple Infinities in the garage, etc.

I can tell you that not all people who drink have things this bad happen to them. I drank in high school, responsibly and I drank in college, irresponsibly. Now I do it maybe once a month.

I am guessing on your 21st birthday you aren't going to be taking shots of Three Wisemen.

[SSharon]

I always had much more fun in college not getting drunk. I went to university of maryland and drank at least something alcoholic 3 nights a week but it never got in the way. Last week was the first time I have bought beer in months. Aside from the killians I had the other day I haven't had anything to drink since my law school decided to sponsor bowling (and $400 worth of beer).
The only alcoholic I know was a friend of my fiance at rutgers. He got help a few times but always went back to the bottle.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by MOTHERWELL 

I can tell you that not all people who drink have things this bad happen to them. I drank in high school, responsibly and I drank in college, irresponsibly. Now I do it maybe once a month.

I am guessing on your 21st birthday you aren't going to be taking shots of Three Wisemen.

Hah...probably not. I lived with some guys last summer that drank but were cool about it, so I don't believe alcohol is evil or anything, but I've seen what it can do to people. The day before my birthday is Mother's Day so I'll probably grill steaks for dinner with my family, then the night of my birthday I think I'm going to a local pizza place that has a good selection of beers and try a couple.

[Dakarʒ]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I lived with some guys last summe

Out of wedlock?!

Alternate Joke: I Know What You Did Last Summer

[smacintush]

Originally Posted by osiris 

Plus a few who become complete assholes after a few drinks (I hate drunks!)

Originally Posted by andreas_g4 

If one knows how he is when drunk, and still drinks, he is responsible.

"If you're an asshole when you are drunk…IT'S BECAUSE YOUR AN ASSHOLE!" - Auggie Smith

[Dakarʒ]

Bill Cosby Himself:

"Well the thing about drinking is it enhances your personality."
"Yes, but what if your personality is an asshole?"

[sdilley14]

Originally Posted by centerchannel68 

I live in WI. I grew up in Madison. I now live in Milwaukee. Of course I drink a lot. I'm not an alchy though, becuase it doesnt' affect my life negatively.

Same. I grew up in small town WI, lived in La Crosse for a while and now live in Platteville. There really isn't much to do around here except drink. I can't say it hasn't impacted me negatively though, as I was the passenger in an accident 11 months ago and broke my neck. Having said that, I know of a lot of alcoholics around here, including some friends of mine. I've found people figure out a lot of ways to hide it.

[SSharon]

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ 

Bill Cosby Himself:

"Well the thing about drinking is it enhances your personality."
"Yes, but what if your personality is an asshole?"

Have you ever seen the movie Mother Juggs and Speed? When I first saw it I thought he was out of character.

[Dakarʒ]

I have not seen it?