Topic: Over 30% of Americans have an alcohol problem (Read 2308 times)

Electric Eye · « **on:** July 02, 2007, 07:20:33 pm »

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070702/ap_on_he_me/alcohol_abuse

Very interesting indeed, considering the way the business glamourizes it in ads and films and just about every aspect of our lives.

Why white Americans? I say STRESS.

Nemesis · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2007, 10:43:20 pm »

I'd like to see the definition of "alcohol abuse" that they used. By some definitions if you once got blind drunk and never touched it again you would have abused alcohol and be counted in that 30%. By other definitions you would need a decade long pattern of ensuring that you never miss a drink. Without knowing what their definition was it is impossible to evaluate how realistic that 30% is.

Sirgod · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2007, 10:53:44 pm »

IT really does make one wonder. I know my ancesters nerver fermented vegies, IE. Indians, in order to buy Deseased blankets. Just what do they define as American these days in an Illegal world?

Stephen

Lepton · « **Reply #3 on:** July 04, 2007, 05:01:01 pm »

I'd think that the level of alcohol dependency is a great deal higher in this country considering the normalcy of popping open a couple of beers after work each day, every day. To me, that's having a problem with alcohol. If you have to do that, you've got a dependency problem whether or not it's consistent with a clinical diagnosis.

If you think I am full of it, try not doing it for a week and see if you can even get through the week without it.

Electric Eye · « **Reply #4 on:** July 04, 2007, 05:53:25 pm »

I think many Americans cannot Lepton, otherwise why the high volume of alcohol sales in this country when we are small compared to others (300 million plus people)?

I learned this from the VA clinic here in austin, when those oil and alcoholic beverage lobbyists walk into D.C. with money, our politicians listen very closely!

Don't believe me? Look at the warning labels, it's a fraction of the bottles. Can you believe when they decided on a Federal warning years ago, the lobbyists had the gall to want it printed on the backside of the label? That way after you drank if you were so inclined you could see the warning.

Most of us by that time were thinking of popping the top of the next one, not reading a label.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2007, 04:22:20 pm »

I :hic: don't have a :hic: drinkin' problem!

marstone · « **Reply #6 on:** July 05, 2007, 06:34:00 pm »

Quote from: Lepton on July 04, 2007, 05:01:01 pm

I'd think that the level of alcohol dependency is a great deal higher in this country considering the normalcy of popping open a couple of beers after work each day, every day. To me, that's having a problem with alcohol. If you have to do that, you've got a dependency problem whether or not it's consistent with a clinical diagnosis.

If you think I am full of it, try not doing it for a week and see if you can even get through the week without it.

For some it might be hard. Heck I have a liqour cabinet in my kitchen, I make wine and mead (fermented honey). The last time I had a drink (about 4 oz of mead) was about 4 months ago. Sad to think I have anough booze in my house to keep alot of drunks happy for awhile, and I just sip it.

[what is the difference between a drunk and an alcoholic? Drunks don't have to attend those darn meetings]

Nemesis · « **Reply #7 on:** July 05, 2007, 08:23:33 pm »

Quote from: Lepton on July 04, 2007, 05:01:01 pm

I'd think that the level of alcohol dependency is a great deal higher in this country considering the normalcy of popping open a couple of beers after work each day, every day. To me, that's having a problem with alcohol. If you have to do that, you've got a dependency problem whether or not it's consistent with a clinical diagnosis.

If you think I am full of it, try not doing it for a week and see if you can even get through the week without it.

Some of those who have that beer or two a day have a problem, some don't. But even if you are addicted to it so long as it causes you no other iissues then I wouldn't call it an alcohol problem. But as a non drinker I'm only speaking from observation not experience.

Electric Eye · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2007, 10:45:43 am »

That's just it Nem, it causes many health issues, money issues, the list goes on. The beverage companies do not care, just so long as they get money!

I've known many functional alcoholics who's work was outstanding and they had no legal problems, yet their health declined faster than non-drinkers and I'm sure they wondered about all the money they spent over the years.

marstone · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2007, 11:23:39 am »

heck, soda causes health issues, money issues, etc also. And the beverage companies don't care as long as they get their money. Oh and how about the fast food industry, or maybe the frozen food industry, etc etc.

Just remember, all things in moderation. Alcohol is not bad, in fact many studies have shown the health benefits of drinking in moderation, one or two drinks a day actually.

Nemesis · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2007, 07:27:16 pm »

Caffeine is another that can be very bad but is not talked about by the authorities. Check this link if you don't remember the brief discussion we had a while back in another thread.

IAF Lyrkiller · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2007, 10:50:16 pm »

NOT!!!!

Electric Eye · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2007, 11:36:02 am »

I know one 11 y.o. that has an alcohol problem.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070706/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_driver_child

A video camera in the police car captured the look of surprise on the officer's face when he approached the wrecked car and got a look at the motorist.

That's gotta be a riot at the police station.

On a side note, it must be nice to do all that and then get released to your relatives.

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